People become vegetarians for many reasons, including health, religious convictions, concerns about animal welfare or the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, or a desire to eat in a way that avoids excessive use of environmental resources.
Some people follow a largely vegetarian diet because they can’t afford to eat meat. Becoming a vegetarian has become more appealing and accessible, thanks to the year-round availability of fresh produce, more vegetarian dining options, and the growing culinary influence of cultures with largely plant-based diets.
That said, we cannot ignore the fact that this lifestyle could be dangerous to people who are religiously committed to it. These are the reasons why;
Vegan diets tend to be low in high quality protein
Animal protein is the highest quality of protein. Protein is an essential dietary component, and it is literally the building blocks of the body. Protein is vital to make muscles, organs and even hair, skin and nails. It is also essential for our immune system, as well manufacturing hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
There are plenty of vegetable protein sources but most people don’t make a concerted effort to include enough variety of foods daily to cover their protein needs. Often, when people change their diet to a healthier plant-based diet, they start eating a lot of pasta type foods. This creates many issues including the fact that these starches cannot provide quality protein.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12
This vitamin is important for the formation of blood as well as brain function. Deficiencies can result in fatigue, megaloblastic anemia, early dementia, increased risk of heart disease, nerve dysfunction, forgetfulness, lack of coordination, and psychiatric disorders, as well as the possible development of neurological disorders in babies of breast-feeding mothers.
This nutrient is found only in animal products.
They don’t consume enough healthy fats
Fats are important for many functions within the body – our brains don’t work properly without healthy fats and our skin becomes wrinkled not to mention dry and flaky with a pale complexion. Not only are nuts and seeds necessary but also avocadoes and fish oil need to be a part of the complete package helping to ensure that the need for long-chain, short-chain and medium chain fatty acids that are so vital for healthy skin and brain function including overall neurological function are being met.
They also play a positive role in depression and anxiety, as well as inflammatory conditions, and line every cell within the body. So, if you really want glowing skin and shiny hair, then you need these oils.
Plant-based food has small amounts of omega 3 oils, so you would need to eat a lot of omega 3-rich vegan foods in order to get the same amount that you get from oily fish.
They eat too much fruit
While fruit is great for cleansing; the vegetables are what feed the body. As one changes their diet it becomes easy to rely on fruit because it is easy and convenient, not to mention that it tastes good, but without a higher concentration of vegetables, health over the long-term, will be compromised.
Deficiency of Vitamin D3
Food sources of vitamin D come from fish and egg yolks, meaning that vegans may be at a greater risk for a low vitamin D status. Vegans can get all the vitamin D they need if they spend enough time in the sunshine and eat plenty of vitamin D-fortified foods.
