Problems with the Vegan Diet

Vegan diets exclude all animal products such as flesh, eggs, dairy and honey. Veganism extends beyond dietary practices. It aims to exclude, as much as is possible, all forms of exploitation and cruelty towards animals, for food, clothing or any other purpose. Strict vegans avoid using leader products or riding horses. Some of them will refuse to keep animals as pets, because they see it as a form of slavery.

Most vegan diets are healthier than vegetarian diets. This excludes “junk-food” vegan diets, which make room for stuff like Oreos, Kool-Aid and Doritos. There are also fake-meats, vegan cheeses, vegan chocolate, vegan ice-cream, and other processed options that “junk-food vegans” enjoy. These may be healthier than their animal-based counterparts, but unhealthy when compared to fresh whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Vegan diets that are high on fats and oils can lead to a number of health challenges, such as slow digestion and bloating.

More research is pilling up, showing the benefits of vegan diets in comparison with vegetarian diets, and the Standard American Diet. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, compared with other vegetarian diets, vegan diets contain less saturated fat and cholesterol, while packing more dietary fiber. These studies show vegans to be thinner, with lower levels of serum cholesterol and blood pressure, which reduces their risk of heart disease. (1)

Additional research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions, that may lower body mass index, and reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases. An increasing number of doctors and physicians are recommending plant-based diet to their patients, especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or obesity. (2)

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Problems with Vegetarianism

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Problems with Raw Vegan Diets