Digest This: Veganism Debunked

DIGEST THIS: VEGANISM DEBUNKED Because there are relatively less people who practice the diet and lifestyle, misunderstandings inevitably arise. Veganism-a lifestyle which excludes all animal or animal-derived food and products-is a small but growing global movement. According to most recent data, vegans make up around just 1 percent of the United States population. Here, we help you better understand the myths and misconceptions that plague veganism. 1% FALSE PERCEPTIONS OF VEGANISM MYTH: TRUTH: VEGANS DON'T Fact is, a considerable amount of protein can be served in a normal caloric vegan diet. A standard vegan meal for both males and females can potentially provide even more protein than the daily amount needed. GET ENOUGH PROTEIN STANDARD SAMPLE PROTEIN STANDARD SAMPLE VEGAN MEAL FOR (GRAMS) VEGAN MEAL FOR A MALE A FEMALE 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup soymilk 1 bagel 2 slices whole wheat toast 8. 2 tablespoons peanut butter BREAKFAST 1 banana 2 slices of whole 5 6 oz. soy yogurt 2 tablespoons almonds 1 baked potato wheat bread 1 cup vegetarian 12 4 LUNCH baked beans 1 cup cut carrots 5 oz. firm tofu 1 cup cooked broccoli 1 cup cooked brown 1 cup cooked lentils 1 cup cooked bulgur 1 cup cooked broccoli 11 18 4 rice 2 tablespoons almonds DINNER 6 crackers 1 cup soymilk 2 tablespoons peanut butter SNACK TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROTEIN SUPPLIED 73 64 IN SAMPLE VEGAN MEAL (PER DAY): 46 - 58 TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROTEIN 56 70 NEEDED (PER DAY) (2) MYTH: VEGAN DIETS TRUTH: In studies, vegans have shown lower cholesterol, BMI, and triglyceride levels* ARE UNHEALTHY than omnivores. AVERAGE BMI AVERAGE CHOLESTEROL TRIGLYCERIDES VEGANS MEAT EATERS VEGANS MEAT EATERS VEGANS MEAT EATERS 23.6 28.8 MALE 157.3189.2 86.5 107.5 FEMALE 156.6 196 *Elevated levels of triglyceride are thought to increase heart disease. MEATLESS MEALS According to the British Journal of Cancer, people who eat vegan meals are 45 percent less likely to develop cancer of the blood and 12 percent less likely to develop cancer overall. 3 ΜΥΤΗ: BEING VEGAN IS EXPENSIVE ΜΥTΗ: TRUTH: FINDING VEGAN While it seems there According to an lowa FOOD IS A HASSLE are an exponentially State University study, increasing number of dollar-menu fast- plant protein used in the vegan diet is usually less food items, being expensive than animal TRUTH: protein. The following are totals calculated by vegan doesn't mean The vegan and vegetarian market, you have to break The Vegetarian Foods the bank. LearnVest using grocery Market Assessment store prices. from 1998 to 2006, declares that has more than "vegetarian food quadrupled from has moved from $646 million to $28 being a niche sector" billion, with to a "mature and MEAT EATER VEGAN foreseeable growth. mainstream sector." BREAKFAST $2.45 $1.50 LUNCH $3.40 $2.90 DINNER $8.80 $6.75 TOTAL $14.65 $11.15 NOTABLE FIGURES YOU DIDN’T KNOW WERE VEGAN CORETTA ALEC LEONARDO "WEIRD AL" BRAD PITT MIKE TYSON SCOTT KING BALDWIN DA VINCI YANKOVIC (CIVIL RIGHTS (ARTIST, (SINGER, (ACTOR) (ACTOR) (BOXER) ACTIVIST) INVENTOR) SONGWRITER) WHEN ASKED HOW HE FEELS ABOUT BEING VEGAN, TYSON REPLIED: "Incredible. I wish I was born this way. When you find out about the processed stuff you have been eating-l wonder why I was crazy for all those years." VEGAN YOUTH: THE FUTURE OF VEGANSIM In a 2009 Vegetarian Resource Group Harris poll, it was found that about 1 percent of the U.S. youth population from ages 8 to 18 are vegan. Vs ETHICS, BATTLE OF THE SEXES ETHICS, ETHICS Among young vegetarians in the U.S., 3 percent of males versus 2 percent of females are full vegans. While there are various reasons that people choose to be vegan, many come to the lifestyle based on ethical beliefs regarding animal rights. One quarter of Americans say animals deserve the same Another 64 percent support A Gallup poll found that: strict laws concerning the rights as humans. treatment of farm animals. HOW VEGANISM CAN SAVE THE PLANET Perhaps one of the largest arguments against meat consumption and for a vegan diet is relative impact on the environment. THE MEAT OF THE PROBLEM According to the United Nations, meat production and factory farming are responsible for: 70% 38% 19% of freshwater of land use of the world's consumption greenhouse gas emissions What's more? Methane from livestock is 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a global warming gas. "A global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel, poverty, and the worst impacts of climate change." 2010 U.N. Report SOURCES: VRG.ORG I PETA I USDA I GALLOP POLL I GUARDIAN.CO.UK I MENSJOURNALCOM I HARRIS INTERACTIVE I IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY I LEARNVEST I WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE I VEGANHEALTH.ORG I VEGANMAINSTREAM.COM I EATDRINKBETTER.COM I VEGANSOAPBOX.COM I ACENETWORKS.ORG I VEGETARIAN FOODS MARKET ASSESSMENT I CADRE-ART.COM Created By COLUMN ethical Ocean FIVE "e-commerce with a conscience"