Vegetarian Diet Info
Vegetarian Diet Myths - Vegetarian Myths
Information on Myths About Vegetarian Diet Plans, Vegetarian Nutrition & Vegetarian Weight Loss & Health

Vegetarian Diet
More Vegetarian Information
Vegetarian Diet Questions - Vegetarian Types - Vegetarian Diet Myths - Becoming Vegetarian - Vegetarian Nutrition
Vegan Nutrition - Macrobiotic Diet - Ovo Lacto Vegetarians - Part/Semi Vegetarian - Vegan Diet

Myths About a Vegetarian Diet and Vegetarian Eating

There are lots of misconceptions about vegetarian diets and vegetarian eating. Some of these notions make meat-eaters very 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.

Note: For an ultra-simple Vegetarian Diet which you can adjust to any calorie-level, see Vegetarian Diet Program

Here are some of the bigger "vegetarian myths" we hear about.

1. Vegetarian Food is Time Consuming and Complicated

Not true. Truth is, the growing number of vegetarian convenience foods, like frozen vegetarian entrees, makes it easy to plan and prepare vegetarian meals. If you enjoy cooking, there are plenty of opportunities to use delicious vegetarian recipes. But using canned and instant beans, soyfoods, veggie burgers, frozen meals, and pre-packaged dinners makes healthy vegetarian meals cookable in just minutes.

2. Vegetarian Diets Are Unhealthy

Not true. Unbalanced vegetarian diets are just as unhealthy as unbalanced meat-based 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.

3. 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.

4. Vegetarian Diets are Low in Fat

Not true. Vegetarian diets are generally lower in fat than meat-diets but they are not necessarily "low-fat." Vegetarian foods like nuts, seeds, avocado, and soyfoods can be quite high in vegetable fat, and of course ALL vegetable cooking oils are 100 percent fat and contain 120 calories per tablespoon. Also, excess consumption of cheese and other dairy products (by lacto-ovo vegetarians) can easily add up to high-fat eating, even though it's vegetarian. The good news is, (except for dairy fats) vegetarian diets are usually significantly lower in saturated fat. Nonetheless, all fat is calorie-dense (9 calories per gram), so vegetarians need to monitor their fat content just like meat-eaters.

5. Giving Up Meat and 'going vegetarian' is Better for Health

Not true. Giving up meat and becoming a vegetarian MIGHT reduce certain risks of diseases associated with high meat consumption. BUT, unless you follow a balanced vegetarian eating plan you might simply swap one set of dietary risks for another. Remember, unbalanced diets are unhealthy diets whether or not they include meat.

Vegetarian Diet