Vegan nutrition is booming! This can be seen from the fact that products such as oat and almond milk have long been popular favorites for the daily dose Coffee After all, plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk can now be found in almost all cafes. German supermarkets have also recognised that our population loves vegan products. In contrast to the range a few years ago, there are now entire departments with a large selection of plant-based products. Despite increasing popularity, a vegan lifestyle and the avoidance of animal products is burdened with prejudices. The biggest myths are now checked.

Vegan Diet: More than just a Lifestyle Trend

Every ninth German lives a vegetarian or even vegan lifestyle. Approximately 12 percent of Germans and do without meat. Veganism is anything but a trend. Many people who decide to live vegan do so out of conviction. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, climate change is also relevant. Because choosing plant-based foods means a better carbon footprint. Living vegan, reduces about 50 percent of food-related greenhouse gases. The lifestyle has the opportunity to combat climate change to influence.

Vegan diet: game changer for environmental protection?

According to PETA, meat production is responsible for 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it doesn't stop there. Forests are being cut down to create new agricultural land that will provide livestock with food. For a 15 kilo of beef requires 000 liters of waterManure, pesticides and antibiotics get into the groundwater, pollute it and endanger people and the planet. Relying on vegan alternatives could reduce or even solve all of these problems.

Vegan diets are also becoming increasingly popular because they have benefits for environmental protection. Plant-based foods can become an absolute game changer. Animal-free products are considered to be more climate-friendly than meat, eggs and milk. According to the German Environmental Aid, vegan nutrition is even one of the simplest climate protection measures. Cow 40 percent less CO2 emissions are exposed through a healthy lifestyle.

However, in order to eat in a climate-friendly way, you have to consider a few things. Just because something is vegan doesn't mean that it is automatically better for our climate or has a less negative impact on the planet. Avocados and almonds, for example, are real water wasters. regional and seasonal fruits and vegetables particularly climate-friendly.

The biggest myths about vegan nutrition in the fact check:

• Vegan diet is expensive: That was yesterday. Lidl in particular can defy this prejudice. The discounter recently announced that it would adjust the prices of all its own-brand vegan foods to match those of similar animal products. studies at Oxford University even prove that people who eat vegan usually live more cheaply than those who do not.
• Vegan lifestyle means renunciation: Many vegan food alternatives come surprisingly close to animal products. And not only that, most restaurants offer at least a small selection of vegan dishes. fashion and beauty sector There are many vegan products, which are often even better for the user.
• Deficiency symptoms are commonplace: One of the most well-known myths is that people who eat vegan food do not get enough nutrients. However, this is not really true. A balanced diet is the key here. The only nutrient that our body does not produce on its own is vitamin B12. This can be easily obtained through, for example, vegan drinkswhich are supplemented with B12.
• Vegan foods lack protein: Anyone who doesn't eat meat, eggs or dairy products suffers from a protein deficiency. This statement is probably the most well-known and biggest myth about vegan nutrition. Plant-based protein sources include oatmeal, lentils, soybeans, tofu, nuts, chickpeas and many other foods. Seitan even provides more protein per 100 g than a steak. Anyone who eats food consciously will have no problems supplying their body with protein.
• High soy consumption by vegans is destroying our rainforests: It is true that rainforests are being cleared for soya cultivation, depriving some species of necessary habitat. However, this is not due to high consumption of soy products by vegans. According to the WWF, 80 percent of the beans are used as animal feed and are therefore essential for meat production.

Benefits of a vegan diet:

Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle. However, it must be acknowledged that veganism has some advantages. One of the biggest is that plant-based diets are well-being of the planet The environment, climate and endangered species benefit.

In addition to the benefit of counteracting the climate crisis and promoting animal welfare, veganism is also good for your health. The risk of strokes, cancer and diabetes is reduced. This is due to a balanced and conscious diet.

Conclusion: Vegan diet for a healthy life

More and more people are opting for a vegan diet – despite many prejudices. No wonder, because most of them are not true. If you look behind the facade and inform yourself, there are a few things to consider. Nevertheless, giving up animal products more advantages than disadvantages and even contributes to the well-being of the planet.