Being vegan is often portrayed as being healthier, but that isn’t always the case. It’s easy to make mistakes when it comes to nutrition. Veganism is a growing trend all over the world, but like every other diet, there are some mistakes that vegans often make. By avoiding certain foods and food groups, you might end up missing out on some important nutrients. Here are 5 common ones vegans make and how you can avoid them.
1. Not getting enough protein. A common misconception about being vegan is that you can’t get enough protein . This is completely false! You can get plenty of protein from nuts, grains and beans. If you’re worried about getting enough protein on a vegan diet, try taking a B12 supplement or eating plenty of tofu, soy milk, tempeh and seeds like sesame and chia.
2. The second mistake vegans make is they don’t get enough calories. Most people think that eating healthy means eating less but this is just wrong. You have to eat more calories than you burn off, else you won’t grow muscles, stay energized and keep your metabolism up.
3. The third mistake vegans make is they don’t get enough calcium. Calcium is essential for keeping the bones strong, the heart beating, and keeping your teeth healthy. If you don’t get enough calcium, you risk developing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and other serious problems later in life.
4. Not incorporating enough omega 3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, kale, and hemp seeds are all high in omega 3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. Omega 3s are especially important if you’re vegan since many plant foods are high in omega 6 fatty acids
5. Using too many processed foods on a vegan diet Processed foods have a lot of chemicals and additives that aren’t good for your body. Processed foods are loaded with sodium, which could cause high blood pressure which could lead to heart disease.
