ok so b4 i ask anything. ive been a vegan for a month and love it. and i want to continue to be one cuz of my beliefs and how much i love animals. but yesterday i went to whole foods and was buying diff foods cuz i was cooking a huge vegan meal for my non-vegan family to show them thats its just as yummy. so i asked this worker dude for some help, and when i told him i was vegan he went off about how unhealthy and dangerous it is and how ill loose all muscle. he told me since im already thin i could become malnourished, i must say he was very rude and i didnt agree with him but i didnt want to be rude so i just was like ok and nodded my head. he said he was a nutrishionist and showed me protien shakes i should drink since u can "onl get protien from animal products" accourding to him, an he said soy is another source but its not healthy. i know im thin, and i will admit ive lost wieght since being a vegan but i still eat alot of food, just healthy vegan food. im 5'2, and about 100 lbs.i work out, i run and play tennis, he asked if i am ative and i said ya and he said i shouldnt bother working out unless i have protien. i didnt buy the protien shake he told me to and im still a vegan of course, but did he know wat he was talking about, or just trying to get me to buy the shake? or was he right?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Protein, which most get from animal products, is an important part of your diet. Make sure that items like beans and peanut butter are regular parts of your diet.
The short answer: It is safe. (For most people, anyway.)
The longer answer: There have been enough studies done to show that vegetarianism is at least as healthy as omnivorism, but there isn't enough information about veganism either way. What little research I did find (not enough to come to any solid conclusions) shows that it's less healthy than vegetarianism and occasional meat eating but about as healthy as frequent meat eating. I do know that there are successful vegan athletes and bodybuilders, and the founder of the vegan association died when he was over ninety. So again, no conculsive evidence either way, but it's probably safe to assume that if you make an effort to eat a healthy, varied vegan diet then any possible negative health effects would be negligible.
Regarding protein: As the guy mentioned, soy is a good full protein source. It's true that there has been some controversy as to how healthy/harmful it is, but again - no conclusive evidence. Japanese people, who have some of the longest life spans, certainly eat a lot of it. You can also get enough of it by combining grains with legumes other than soy.
(Would a good nutritionist work in a grocery store?)
He's not right. Being vegan can be VERY healthy. And you won't lose muscle mass, I speak from experience on that (i used to be vegan). The only thing is, that when you eat meat, you get something from it that helps your immune system. I'm not really sure what it's called, but a vegan chick I knew was always getting sick. A cool idea is to talk to your doctor, or a nutritionist, so they can help you figure out a good meal plan, so you can get all the vitamins and nutrients you need. Good luck!
Yes being vegan is safe.
Just be aware of B12 and other B vitamins, iron, and iodine.
He was an asshole telling you his beliefs and clearly not knowing what he is talking about.
He is no nutritionist.
He was just trying to sell you that protein powder ****.
Protein is is SO many other foods besides meat and animal products!
Look at beans and nuts...
He was wrong.
I would have reported it to a manager - no one should treat a customer so rude and shove their beliefs at them, unless you were hurting yourself or someone else, which you were/are not.
Do your research about your diet.
Know what you are talking about.
The management of the Whole Foods Market you visited should be contacted about this employee who gave incorrect information to you. It's not his place to talk you out of what you came to buy, and try to sell you animal products and his protein shakes instead of what you asked for.
He was wrong and unprofessional.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the healthfulness of a vegan diet. Enough for the American Dietetic Association to say:
"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood and adolescence and for athletes.
Vegetarian diets are often associated with health advantages including lower blood cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure levels and lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, according to ADA’s position. “Vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index and lower overall cancer rates. Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and have higher levels of dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium, vitamins C and E, folate, carotenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemicals. These nutritional differences may explain some of the health advantages of those following a varied, balanced vegetarian diet.”
Just make sure you get a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dark leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, and a reliable source of vitamin B12 (I use nutritional yeast, or you can take a pill or drops).
Don't let misinformed, ignorant people confuse you. Do your own nutritional research so you can be confident in your food choices. If they want to eat animal products and increase their rates of the biggest killers - heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity and diabetes - that's their choice. Those of us who know better don't have to be sick.
Being vegan, especially raw vegan, is safer than any meat diet.