Before I was vegan, I had no idea about what being vegan was actually like, and made a whole bunch of assumptions and critiques. I remember thinking vegans weren't healthy, I worried about their protein, and thought they would be weak and frail with such a diet. I don't think I am the only person who has ever had these thoughts, in fact I know I am not because I get asked about this stuff all the time. So, for those of you who don't understand the vegan diet, here is a breakdown of common discussion topics you may be wondering about.
1. Not all vegans are vegan for the same reason.
Even other vegans and vegetarians often assume that I am vegan for the same reason as them, which is often animal cruelty. Well, that's not why I'm vegan, and a lot of other people have different reasons for being veg. For me, I am vegan because of two main reasons: it's a much healthier way to eat, and it is way better for the environment. Did you know raising animals for food, is worse for the environment than cars are!? Other reasons that people eat veg are religion, culture, weight loss, allergies, to help feed the world, or even because pigs are smarter than a dog... And it seems weird to eat something that smart.
2. We don't live off of tofu.
I think most every veg gets this, omnis (omnivores) always ask, make jokes about, or express their health concerns about the amount of tofu we eat. (Probably just after they ate a greasy hamburger or something too). Well, every veg is different, but personally I rarely eat tofu. I drink almond milk more often than soy, and I cook tofu rarely, like maybe once or twice a month, which may seem like a lot if you don't eat tofu, but when compared to the amount of meat the average North American consumes, it's a pittance. The place I have the most tofu is actually in restaurants. Us veg, truly don't need tofu to survive.
3. We aren't all sprouty, waify, health nuts.
Before I was vegan, I pictured vegans as sprout eating, crystal wearing, hairy armpitted, yogis who didn't talk more than in a hushed whisper as not to offend the shakras or something like that. I didn't know!!! The truth is there are a lot of veg who actually aren't zen at all. There is tons of processed junk that is vegan, even if by accident. Oreos are a famous example, as well as All Dressed Ruffles, 7-Eleven apple pie, Fritos, Sour Patch Kids, some Jello puddings, Maple Bacon Kettle chips, Krispy Kreme pies, as well as a ton of other junk food. Lots of vegans love and eat this stuff, and lot's don't.
4. We aren't constantly looking for sources of protein.
"Where do you get your protein?" Any veg knows this as probably the most frequent question they get asked. Sure protein is important for health, but meat and beans aren't the only sources of protein. In fact, protein is found in all plant based foods. Greens like spinach, kale, peas and broccoli, have somewhere around 20-30% protein, even rice has 8% protein. You only need 8%-12% of your diet to be protein, so as long as you eat a varied diet, you will easily get all the protein that you need. What about athletes? Well they do need more protein, but they also need more calories, so they will naturally get more.
5. We aren't calcium deficient.
Did you know that the countries that consume the highest amounts of dairy products are the same countries that have the most cases of osteoporosis, a disease caused by calcium deficiency. Weird, huh? This is because animal proteins cause calcium to leach from the bones. Where as in China, a country that consumes about a third or less of the dairy we do has very few cases of osteoporosis. Just like protein, lots of veggies, and nuts are loaded with all the calcium you will need.
6. We don't like asking for special requests.
In an ideal world, all restaurants would have at least one vegan meal on their menu. Although, lots of veg are totally cool with asking for special requests from restaurants. Others (like me) don't want to be that annoying demanding vegan. I really don't like asking for edits to the menu, but I also like to eat the way I like to eat, and won't be a happy customer if I have nothing but a baked potato for dinner. So if you are a restaurant owner, please have a veg option! Vegans like to eat at "normal" restaurants too.
7. We don't live off of fake meat and cheese.
I usually prefer going to "normal" restaurants and hoping that they do have a veg option on the menu. Most vegan restaurants I have been to seem to specialize in fake meat. Fried chicken, shrimp cocktails, lobster tail, you name it. I always find this so disappointing. While it is a cool party trick to make these convincing veg meats, I actually like to eat vegetables. I know crazy.
8. We are cholesterol free.
Eating vegan is a 100% cholesterol free diet. You will only find cholesterol in animal products. It is why vegans have a way lower risk of heart disease. So if you have high cholesterol, this is a way of eating you might consider.
9. We save money.
It's seems crazy to me that people think eating vegan is more expensive. Sure maybe the tofu dogs are more expensive than hot dogs, but when was the last time a steak dinner was cheaper than spaghetti? Or chicken, cheaper than a salad. I don't think so. Making the switch could cost extra as you will be stocking up on a boat load of new products, but once your kitchen is set, you will save money.
10. We are smart, sexy and talented.
You may have heard of Usher, Alec Baldwin, Pamela Andreson, Russell Brand, Lee Michele, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Silverstone, Olivia Wilde, Paul McCartney, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, and Ellen DeGeneres? All vegan. Did you know that Albert Einstein was vegetarian and once said "Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." Or how about Leonardo Da Vinci who said "My body will not be a tomb for other creatures." And Plato once said "The Gods created certain kinds of beings to replenish our bodies; they are the trees and the plants and the seeds."
What questions do you have about the vegan diet? If you are vegan, what do you get asked about all the time?
Paul says
Soy is high in protein compared to almond milk and is also protective agains breast and prostate cancer.
Sam Turnbull says
Yep that's true!
Jamie Jensen says
I am whole food plant based, but have such a hard time with wanting to eat what others are eating. My family does not eat vegan and neither does anyone else I associate with... and it's a constant internal battle with literally everyone openly against it, especially in my own home. What do I do?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Jamie! Aww, that's rough. I would recommend preparing a vegan version of the dish that your family is eating. For example, if they are eating breaded chicken, or a steak stir-fry, or a hamburger, have the same thing but vegan. So try breading tofu or seitan instead of chicken. Try a veggie stir fry instead of steak. Or try a veggie burger instead of a hamburger. If you have the same dish just the vegan version, maybe you will feel more satisfied. I also recommend looking for vegan groups, meetup or Facebook are a great place to find them. You can get lots of support and suggestions from others who may be going through the same thing. I hope that helps!
Christine says
Thanks for sharing. Interestinfg article. I recently read Usher quit being vegan because he couldn’t afford it. That is sad to hear.
Sam Turnbull says
OMG that so silly. Being vegan is not expensive, and as if Usher doesn't have enough money! Hahaha
Maria says
I want to try thw vegan lifestyle, honestly cause im looking to lose some weight, but cant seem to find a b7dget frienly meal plan
HELP PLEASE
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Maria, that's awesome, congrats! I don't have a meal plan for you, but the good news is that generally cooking vegan is much less expensive. It's really only the fancy products that are expensive, staples like beans, grains, fruit and veg are often really cheap. Hope that helps!
Kaylee says
Hi! You can use the app platejoy to find a personalized budget friendly meal plan. Hope that helps!
Jade says
Hi, I'm 16, vegetarian, and have been interested in a vegan diet for quite a while now. I'm so thankful for all of the lovely recipes you have on your blog! I think I really want to try it out now, but I'm worried about backlash from my family. How can I convince them that being vegan is better for me without being rude?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Jade, congrats on your new decision! I would recommend having a movie night and getting your family to watch What the Health or Forks Over Knives with you. (Both are on Netflix). Make some popcorn with vegan butter, and put your feet up and let the doctors do the convincing 🙂 Hope that helps!
Jade says
Thanks so much! I've never seen Forks Over Knives or or What the Health. Do you know if they provide solid evidence/sources for veganism? I would like to watch them with my family but I'm not good with people asking me tons of questions about veganism, especially if they ask for sources /:
Sam Turnbull says
Oh yes, they provide mountains of scientific data. And if anyone wants the sources of the information, for What the Health they have a list of all the facts minute by minute in the film here. For Forks Over Knives, you can pick up the book The China Study which the film is based around
Angel Howell-Hill says
Yaaaaaaaassssssss Huunnntttiii!!! What the health is what changed my whole world!!! I can't go back after watching that!!
Frankie Rodriguez says
I also recommend to watch The Game Changer and Cowspiracy. Also on Netflix.
BananaHeart says
I keep trying to figure out where I'm going wrong when trying to go vegan. I know when I move back to the States it will be easy. But I live in Japan right now.
I have a high protein diet due to my workout goals and routine. So unfortunately the tiny 0.9g of protein in a cup of spinach won't help me get to where I need to be in a day since I don't eat much anyway (I try to hit 1776 calories a day 35% protein and 40% carbs so 163g of protein and 187g of carbs). I already don't do much dairy due to allergies and have no trouble cutting that (aside from ice cream). Beans are really hard to get. The closest store to me that sells Western black beans and Pinto beans in any sort of quantity is at least a 30 minute walk one way and all canned so anything I buy I have to bring back. Also, it's about $2.90 for a 200g can. Unfortunately comparing that to the same price as meat shows that in Japan, the meat is cheaper. Especially if on sale.
I do have protein powder and protein bars. I mix the powder with soy yogurt which is about $4.00 for 4 servings worth. Almond milk is also about $4-$5 so I save it for a treat. I'm allergic to gluten though and if I just drink the protein powder with water I will throw up.
I tried going vegan recently with a lot of veggies and chia seeds and fruits (nuts are too expensive. 75g of peanuts is about $3.00). But I had to stop because I felt so weak and nearly passed out. I'm afraid of reaching out for help with it but I'm not sure what to do really. I can't eat dairy or gluten, nuts are expensive, beans are rare, fruit is super expensive, veggies are limited (and expensive. Kale is found one place, tiny amount for a high price), peanut butter is like $5.00 for a small jar. Japan hasn't entirely grasped veganism yet (dashi- a fish-paste is often used in things that are called vegetarian), even some vegetable stock I was looking at had beef. The cheapest option is tofu, which I get a lot of soy already. Dessert, in soup, fried, edamame, sauce, I really just need a few sources with higher protein than carbs that is vegan and affordable.
Do you have any tips? At this point I'm just tempted to do what I can until I get home in a year (eggs can also make me sick and I can't eat seafood) and then figure it out. Thank you for your patience! I'm sorry I'm super awkward.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi BananaHeart!
No apology needed, happy to help! I highly recommend checking out vegan body builders, there are lots of them! There is the site veganbodybuilding.com and you can also find many awesome bodybuilders on YouTube and Instagram. That would be a great place to get inspiration for high-protein vegan diets. I know some of them such as Torre Washington doesn't even use and supplements, not even protein powder!
If you are eating vegan and feel weak, I promise you this is not from not eating meat. There is no nutrient found in meat that can't also be found in plants. The most likely cause is that you were not eating enough calories as meat and cheese are some of the highest calorie foods, and when you replace them with plants which are generally low in calorie, you need to eat much larger quantities, especially if you are training hard! I recommend checking out the documentary What the Health, and Forks Over Knives which are both about health and talk a lot about protein. Hope that helps!
Sally Nie says
Hi sam, i fell in love with your blog, recipes and personality. Plus your beautiful and happy smile. I am vegetarian, but i still consume fish and least seafood. I wish someday i would go vegan but i love to eat fish...i CAN forego dairy but fish is hard for me at this moment. i searched other veganist,mostly talk about meat and so far not about sea life perspective. What do you think? Thank you.
Sam Turnbull says
Awww shucks, thank you, Sally 🙂 First off, it's great what you are doing! Every little bit counts, so thank you for being a pescetarian. As for your question, I don't eat fish because not only are fish sentient beings (feel pain), they are very toxic to our bodies as they contain PCB's, mercury, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Toxins bioaccumulate in fish flesh and they have been called "mercury sponges". On top of that, the oceans are so overfished that the oceans contain 90% less fish than they did in 1950. When fish are caught about 25% of what is caught and killed is called "bycatch" which are other fish, sharks, turtles, coral, and are simply discarded. If we continue to consume fish as we do, we will have a fishless ocean by 2048. I highly recommend watching the documentary Cowspiracy (which looks at the environmental impacts), and the documentaries What the Health and Forks Over Knives (which look at the health impacts), they are all on Netflix. Hope that helps!
Rachel Estes says
Hi I am 15 and have been researching going vegan for about a month now, and from day one was pretty set on going vegan. Just from a days reading! I came across your blog and love it.
I was wondering could you maybe do a post on what to stock up on for example-spices, herbs, and other non produce things?
4 months ago I got my family(my sisters went of to college so having the house to myself helped) to start eating organic food and obsessed with reading health articles so hopefully after I research enough I will have backups to my decision.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Rachel, Thank you so much for loving my blog, and a big congrats on your new vegan journey!! I actually have a section on how I stalk my pantry in my cookbook which will be coming out next year, so you can look forward to that 🙂 In the meantime you can check out My Top 12 Vegan Pantry Staples and 6 Steps to a Vegan Kitchen. I hope that helps! Let me know if you ever have any more questions or need any support 🙂
Kathy Tyrrell says
Your blog is great. Thank you for sharing. My husband and I have been vegan/whole food plant based - going on two years now. We saw the films Forks Over Knives and Plant Pure Nation. We decided to try the 10 day jump start in Plant Pure Nation to get my husband off his heart meds. IT WORKED! For us it was like - do we need to say more? We both felt so good after just 10 days we decided to continue. One of our side effects - weight loss. Another - more energy. We are both in our mid 60s and much more active than most our friends. We have found the best way to share is just become an example. Thank you again.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you Kathy! Isn't it SO amazing how quickly plants can heal your body? You guys are such an inspiration! So happy you are both feeling fantastic, love it! 🙂
Emily says
I grew up vegan and have never known anything different. I wouldn't describe myself as a strict vegan: we eat with out asking questions when we visit relatives and friends, but having never lived on meat, cheese, eggs, etc. I find that the things most people eat are totally disgusting. And, contrary to popular opinion, vegans are often the healthiest and strongest people out there, not the spindly weak ones with no stamina! Isn't it great to be able to prove by the fact that we aren't that way that virtually no vegans are?
Sam Turnbull says
Yes it is! We are breaking stereotypes all the time by just being our awesome vegan selves. Pretty cool that you grew up vegan! So happy to have you here 🙂
Reah says
Hi Sam!
I just stumbled across your blog today while looking for a vegan birthday cake recipe. I have been reading through your blog today and have found myself getting so excited and passionate about the things you are saying because I can relate SO much! I feel like I could talk to you for hours about how much I can relate. I am also someone who grew up on a farm and found out how much healthier a vegan diet is. I could go on and on but I will cut it short by saying I am very grateful I ran across this and I look forward to following your blog and all your vegan adventures.
Thanks again!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Reah!
I am so very happy you can relate so much! Isn't the internet so cool in that way... finding people all over the world who are just like you! I'm so happy you found me, and look very forward to seeing you around the blog 😀
Colette Wilson says
love this !!!! so true the comments from people because they are un educated about vegans. I choose to go vegan for health reasons i'm a runner & very discipline about my diet : this has opened my world to a much better way of eating. Plant based never new what it was all about before. five months in and enjoying it!!!
Sam Turnbull says
I originally went vegan for health reasons as well, so happy you are enjoying it Colette! I felt so amazing when I went vegan. Pretty sure it's the main reason I stayed vegan! Now I just try to educated everyone else about how awesome it is, and provide them scrumptious recipes 🙂
Karen says
Perfect! Not much more to add! And tofu? I make mine out of hemp...
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! So happy you agree 🙂
Arlene Cohen says
Loved this article. I can relate to it all. It is coming up to a year of our vegan adventure, and so much of what you told us and said would happen, has happened. You said to enjoy the fake meat stuff if it helps with the transition, and it did. You also said, after a while we wouldn't want/need them as much, and that happened, too. I am vegan for many of the reasons you listed. When someone asks me why I decided to do this, and as you know, they always do, I reply, all the reasons. BTW, you just acquired a new subscriber with this article so keep up the great work. Obviously you are changing lives.
Sam Turnbull says
Happy veganniversary!! So happy you are still loving your decision, and could relate to this article. It seems unreal, but because of the comments and emails I get, I know I have inspired and helped many people. Best job ever!!!
Arlene Cohen says
Not quite a year. End of Sept. I think. But thx for the early congrats.
Nanette says
Just finding this post via pinterest...very interesting. My daughter who is 9 is vegetarian & wants to eat vegan (be vegan). I think that's a wonderful choice and my husband and I are excited about joining her. I'm excited about being healthy and cholesterol free!
Sam Turnbull says
That's so awesome Nanette!! I hear from so many kids who's parents do not support their desire to go vegan, and sometimes even bully them out of it. It's so fantastic that you are so supportive and planning on joining her! Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 😀
Chrissianne says
I love you guys...I went veggie at 13 (50 years ago!) and my mum was told by the doctor not to entertain my fad, that I would grow out of it if not fed...I lived with a family of rabbit killers (they hung on all the doors for weeks at a time) and had a dreadful time...if only I had had parents like you two <3
Kailey Perry says
That's so cool that you're supporting her! I'm vegan now that I'm an adult but my parents wouldn't let me be a vegetarian in school. They believed it would be more expensive (it's not) and they didn't wanna change their own lifestyles! Good luck to you guys 🙂
Flower says
I just discovered your blog and I love it! I've been a pesco-vegetarian for over 6,5 years (I'm 18) and I plan on going vegan this January. I'm a little bit intimidated though, so I'm trying to find as much information and inspiration as possible 🙂 There's a lot of both on your blog. Thank you! 🙂 xx
Sam says
Yay! Thanks Flower! Congrats on your new vegan adventure! If you ever have any questions or concern just let me know, that's what I am here for 🙂
Flower says
Thanks a lot! 🙂 I'm really excited!!
Caroline says
I just found your blog via Pinterest and I absolutely LOVE it! All your recipes look amazing! I'm not a vegan (not even a vegetarian) but I do enjoy vegan food. However, I'd like to stress that the veggies you mention (kale, broccoli, spinach etc) do not have 20-30% protein, more like 2-3% (Broccoli for example: 2,3g protein/100g = 2,3%). That being said, I agree with you that a vegan diet easily can cover your protein needs 🙂
Sam says
Awww shucks!! Thank you Caroline!!! Broccoli actually is 26% protein according to this source, spinach is 30% protein as seen here, and kale is not as high (but still more than enough) with 16% protein as seen here. I think you might be thinking of grams of protein per serving and not percentage per calories? So happy that you agree either way, and so SUPER happy that you love my blog! I look forward to seeing you around. Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂
Saskia says
I must say that I disagree on the point that being vegan is cheaper. Perhaps that's true in the US, but I live in South Africa and the fake vegan meat and cheese industry is very very small here. So basically you have to make everything yourself. In addition to being vegan I also eat healthy, try to avoid processed food and sugar and buy mostly organic. Those products are mostly only found in health shops which makes being vegan expensive.
Sam says
Hi Saskia,
When I refer to a vegan diet being cheaper, I am generally referring to buying whole foods. Buying fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and legumes, is way cheaper than buying meat, dairy, and eggs. Processed foods, regardless if they contain animal products or not are always going to be more expensive. It's interesting to learn about the differences in South Africa! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Tretha Conaway says
I think of it this way. How much would I have to save to make it worth risking my health? How much for my kid's health? I can't justify the savings. If I literally can't afford organic, I just buy regular and wash the crap out of it. I just do the best I can do. 🙂
Leo says
I know the original post is from a long time ago, and things have changed since (vegan cheese at regular supermarkets. Yay!). If you include more legumes and fresh veggies instead of meat alternatives, you can keep the grocery bill very low. And All supermarkets in South Africa stock soy mince which is dirt cheap.
I just made the most delicious butternut, mushroom and lentil coconut curry.
I spend the same amount or less on groceries now than when I was omni (5 months vegan now and 10kg lighter). It helps to join the vegan communities on social media to learn from each other and find out where to buy. There is a Chinese restaurant near me that sells tofu 10 times cheaper than supermarkets (R6 vs R60). If there are any South Africans new to veganism who stumble upon this post, check out Pink Piggy Lifestyle (online store) and definitely join the vegan community on Facebook. Everyone is super friendly and helpful.
Ryanne says
Thanks for your recipes. I have been vegetarian for almost 20 years. I was vegan for several years, but fell off the wagon (so to speak) a couple of years back.
Now, I feel I should clarify that when I say that I “fell off the wagon” I ate a mostly vegan diet……..just occasional fancy cheeses along with my wine, and sometimes left the cheese on my salads if I ate out, or didn’t check the ingredients if I ate bread (which is rather rare). Now, if you asked my my vegetarian friends, I was still vegan, but knowing that I was not completely vegan, I sure as heck didn’t claim it to others.
However, I am proud to say that times have changed and I have gone back to being vegan. Hooray!
Now, I still enjoy my “cheeses” with my wines, and I look forward to trying out some of your recipes. I have been making cheese from nuts for years. Nutritional yeast is a must! Thanks for some great new ideas! I am so inspired.
To go along with the topic of the original post about the things you didn’t know about vegans:
I do not have a handicap, nor do I have a disease.
Yes, you can eat in front of me. And no, I won’t cry.
Here are a couple of situations just off the top of my head that I have actually happen to me.
• My kid spilled milk on the couch a while back…..will you be able to sit in my living room?
• Will you be ok if I eat this in front of you, or will we need to get separate tables at a restaurant?
***Answer, uh, duh!***
• I had a barbeque at my house but didn’t invite you because there is absolutely nothing for you to eat at a barbeque
Really? There is ABSOLUTLY NOTHING available for a vegan to eat at a barbeque?
And my number one major pet peeve, we do not like talking about why we choose to eat a plant based diet while sitting a table with people who are about to eat meat. It’s usually one person who could really care less either way asking the question while there are several others who are completely uncomfortable sitting there (giving the stink eye to the placemat in front of them).
I don’t know about you, but I hate having to defend myself for being me. Not only is your evening ruined, you come off sounding a bit preachy to others.
I try very hard to be polite and explain that if they still want to know why I am vegan, I would be very happy to talk with them or refer them to books, or website as to why I have chosen to live my life as I have for nearly 20 years, but I do not feel that the dinner table is an appropriate place to have the conversation due to the sensitivity of others who are within earshot who did not ask to be a part of the conversation.
UGH!
Anywho, thanks again for the new ideas! I will be making the pop tarts for my boyfriend very soon! God I miss those things!
Sam says
Oh yes, it can be so frustrating at times!! It's so true, why do people always ask about veganism, just as they are about to eat some animal? (I think it's their conscious). I used to worry about ruining peoples meals, but now I just sum up my thoughts in a quick elevator pitch type way, and then go back to enjoying the meal. They asked! Keep up the great work Ryanne! I hope you enjoy the portarts! 🙂
Shawn says
Hi there! Fun post! I am not vegan nor vegetarian, but started pinning lots of great vegan recipes which help me incorporate so much more good stuff into my diet. I was completely in the dark about how cool and fun vegan cooking can be, and now it's really my preferred method of cooking at home. I still haven't gotten a food processor yet, but I've had so much fun with my immersion blender this winter and look forward to learning more vegan recipes this year.
Cheers!
Sam says
Hi Shawn!
That's great! I too was in the dark about the awesomeness of vegan cooking, until I became vegan! I found that with limitation came inspiration and I really got much more creative in the kitchen. So happy you are trying more vegan/vegetarian meals. Every little bit helps! I hope you enjoy my recipes and let me know if you have any questions.
Sam.