Are vegans healthier than meat eaters?

Our eating habits are a crucial component of our lifestyle. People usually pick their food preferences based on taste, nutritional value, their budget, and their social and moral beliefs. 

Vegans tend to justify their diet according to the environmental impact that meat-eating has or the belief that veganism is healthier.

Social issues aside, my focus will be on the nutritional aspect of veganism vs omnivorism.  

What is a vegan? 

A vegan mainly eats plant-based food and omits meat and all animal products e.g milk, cheese, and eggs from their diet. 

What is an omnivore? 

An omnivore eats an assortment of foods of both plant and animal origin. 

Pros of veganism

1. Prevention of certain life-threatening diseases. Statistically, vegans are at less risk of severe diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This is because vegan food contains less saturated fat.

2. Weight loss. This is also due to the fact that less saturated fat is consumed while more low-calorie foods are ingested. 

3. Aids digestion. Plant-based food is high in dietary fibre which is vital for smooth digestion. 

4. Better skin. Many studies have linked acne to the consumption of meat and dairy. This is likely related to the hormones found in animal products that may trigger an imbalance in our endocrine systems. If you suffer from hormonal acne or any other hormone-related condition such as PCOS, going vegan may be advantageous for you. 

Cons of veganism    

1. Vitamin B12, calcium, protein and iron deficiencies. Vegans are more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Because the diet is so limiting, it is harder to balance. Vegans still need to find a way to consume food from all food groups, and this may be a challenge. Meat is a rich source of protein and iron. Moreover, vitamin B12, which is imperative for metabolism is mostly found in animal products. Dairy products provide calcium which we need for bone health. It is still possible for a vegan to have a balanced diet by eating a large variety of vegetables, beans and legumes for protein, and taking vitamin B12 supplements. 

2. Bloating and indigestion. Whilst it is true that dietary fibre is needed for better digestion, too much fibre on the other hand will have the opposite effect and can cause indigestion.  Some vegan protein foods like beans and legumes are fermented by gut bacteria and produce gas. For some people this side effect is mild and for others, it can be severe. 

3. Intolerance to non-vegan food.  If you decide to revert back to a meat-eating lifestyle after trying the vegan thing for a while, you might face gastric problems as you try to reintroduce the animal food back into the body.   

4. Unhealthy meat substitutes. Vegan marketing has lead most of us to believe that meat replacements are healthier just because they are made with beans or vegetables. However, some of these fake meats are far from nutritious. A lot of colourants, flavourings, preservatives, and salt are added to make the taste resemble meat. 

To sum it up, whatever diet you choose, it should be balanced. A vegan diet can be healthy as long as you are well-informed about nutrition and the foods and supplements you should take to avoid deficiencies. If you have the patience and conviction for it, go for it! But if you are not attracted to the herbivore lifestyle, don't feel pressured to trade in your steak and eggs for a veggie burger. As long as you control your intake of red meat, saturated fat, eat more fruits and vegetables, you can achieve optimum health too.