Dispelling Myths About Veg Diets

Unbalanced vegetarian diets can be as unhealthy as unbalanced meat-based diets. So, do away with your unrealistic expectations

There are lots of misconceptions about vegetarian diets and vegetarian eating. Some of these notions make meat-eaters wary of vegetarian diets because of fears that vegetarianism is difficult or dangerous. While others lead vegetarians to have inaccurate or unreal expectations for a vegetarian diet, especially if they are trying to lose weight. Other myths can cause people to follow unhealthy vegetarian diet plans. Here are some of the bigger vegetarian myths we hear about.

Vegetarian diets are unhealthy

Not true. Unbalanced vegetarian diets are just as unhealthy as unbalanced meatbased diets. But balanced vegetarian eating plans are perfectly healthy. In fact, studies show that vegetarians enjoy better health than meat eaters, with reduced risks of heart disease and cancer.

Vegetarians can’t get enough protein without eating special combinations of plant foods

Not true. Yes, it's correct to say that particular combinations of plant foods — e.g. grains + legumes — boost the availability of protein from these foods. But combining foods in this way is no longer something vegetarians need do to guarantee adequate protein uptake. As long as the vegetarians eat these foods during the course of the day, their protein intake is fine. The secret to getting adequate protein is to eat a variety of foods throughout the day.