Vegans vs Meat Eaters

 

Nowadays it is not so uncommon to come across someone who is a part of the vegan phenomenon. With that being said, the number of people who have become vegan has greatly increased over the years. What some may have considered a craze, at one point, has become widely prominent in society as more people view veganism as the healthiest form of a diet possible. In turn, this has caused much dispute with meat eaters who believe vegans are actually harming their health from nutrient deficiency.

 

Figure 1: This cartoon makes fun of assumptions people make towards vegans (Sizzle).

The meme shown above, makes fun of the assumptions people make towards vegans. Most meat eaters will be quick to mention that vegans suffer from a lack of proper nutrition that comes from a variety of foods produced by animals. This point has prompted vegans to create a counterclaim with suggestive evidence of how their diet can, in fact, be just as healthy while meeting nutritional demands via sufficient protein and vitamins found in plants. For the purpose of this comparative paper, I will highlight the differences between these diets and the variety of food choices as well as some ethical reasons as to why people go vegan. Overall, there are two large distinctions made between vegan and meat consumption diets. However, while veganism can be a healthy option and diet, it lacks much of the nutritional intake that a normal meat diet would. In that sense, meat eaters have the stronger position when it comes to a healthier diet.

 

 

Figure 2: The following image contrasts vegan diets and meat eating diets (Visual.ly).

To begin with, it is important to define what vegan and meat-eating diets are and to distinguish their differences. From first glance at the cartoon image above, one may notice that one is reliant on farm animals, while the other is not. The exact definition of veganism according to The Vegan Society states, “veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any purpose” (The Vegan Society).

Figure 3: This food pyramid shows what vegans consume (Mallory).

As shown, vegans avoid animal meat, fish, eggs, and any form of dairy products. Vegans get their vitamins and nutrients from a plant diet based on vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds (Health line). On the other hand, a meat-eating diet is self-explanatory. This is really everyone who is not vegan and eats both animals and plants also known as omnivores. That is where the greatest and primary distinction is made. A vegan diet does not include meat, only plants, fruits, and vegetables. However, a meat-eating diet does, and a meat eater can consume everything a vegan can, but a vegan cannot consume everything that a meat eater can.

 

Figure 4: This image highlights a comparison of what a balanced meal consists of for meat eaters and vegans (Holland).

Now that the distinctions between both diets have been made, it is important to emphasize the point about food variety. As shown in the image above, a whole food, plant-based diet (vegan) contains good nutrition, but there is a lack of variety compared to the balanced diet for meat eaters which has more sources of nutrition from dairy such as milk, cheese, and eggs. This is where the nutritional debate comes into play, and distinctions are made between both diets based upon which one is healthier.

For example, a meat eater can eat anything, and a vegan will always have restricted options when it comes to food. Because of this, the question becomes where do vegans get protein from? Where do vegans get iron from? How about vitamins? Thus, this line of reasoning has become a main reason why meat eaters have a stronger claim when it comes to the healthier diet. For instance, meat eaters take the stand that vegans do not get enough of B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron and omega 3-s amongst many other vitamins and nutrients. In an article titled, “5 nutrients vegans don’t get enough of”, Brittany Smith, a health expert states, “B12 is only found in animal products, so most vegans (and vegetarians) are deficient in the essential vitamin” (Smith). Moreover, vegan diets have a lack of calcium, iron, and vitamin D, which vegans have to make up by eating an abundance of vegetables and tofu. It can simply be avoided by eating meat, which offers all these various nutrients.

 

Figure 5: Here, the issue of Vitamin B12 deficiency is highlighted as it is found in vegans (Immune Health).

One example that highlights malnutrition is this image. As shown, a vegan diet can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency which can have negative impact on health. Kris Gunnars, a nutrition expert from Popular Science has stated, “vitamin B12… is by far the most important nutrient that vegans must be concerned with. In fact, B12 deficiency is very common in vegans, one study shows that a whopping 92% of vegans are deficient in this critical nutrient” (Gunnars). This just highlights the tip of the iceberg regarding nutrient deficiency and variety. Meat eaters will always use this as a defense when it comes to diet.

Furthermore, with all the information brought forward regarding the availability of variety from a meat eater perspective, a vegan would counter nutrient deficiency by showing that there can, in fact, be other ways to supplement nutrients from meat. Vegans just have to be careful about how what they eat and how they do so.

 

Figure 6: This iron food chart shows all sources of iron that vegans can rely on (Jessica).

As shown in the image above, in regard to iron, good sources include soybeans, lentils, spinach, and tofu etc. As long as one makes sure to consume the right portions of these foods, they should not worry about iron deficiency. For instant, the chart above states, “if you’re eating a variety of whole-foods, you likely have nothing to worry about” as well as the fact that a vegan should have 4gm of tofu on average (Jessica). The same applies to statements concerning protein intake.

 

Figure 7: The following image shows sources of proteins vegans rely on (Vector Sector).

For instance, for statements regarding protein intake, some of the same foods that satisfy iron consumption also supplement protein. This Vegan Source of Protein chart highlights multiple sources of plant based protein for vegans. Also, a vegan will bring up the point that vegans are typically healthier because they have lower cardio metabolic risks for conditions like heart disease or strokes (The Infographics Show). Meat eaters tend to have higher BMI’s, while vegans do not. Also, it is worth mentioning that most vegans are also animal activists and they use their animal and dairy free diet as a way of supporting anti-cruelty beliefs.

Figure 8: The following image makes fun of meat eaters whom vegans perceive as hypocrites (ReDeuxStitcheryDo).

 

Previously, I had mentioned that I would discuss some ethical reasons the vegans follow. The above meme pokes fun at meat eaters from a vegan perspective. In a sense, it implies that they are hypocrites because many will say they are against animal cruelty, but when it comes to putting an end to meat consumption, the majority of meat eaters do not agree. This shows the humane side of veganism and why certain people convert. It should be taken into consideration when making a comparison because it is also a very important point as to why people go vegan. It is a lifestyle, and those that argue in favor of veganism tie their compassionate beliefs about animals by abstaining consumption of them.

However, even though a vegan diet does have humane goals and it appears to be the best diet plan, there are direct effects of a variety from foods that veganism can just not replace. When it comes to health as a whole, a meat eater has far more of a healthy lifestyle than a vegan. Veganism can be a healthy diet, but in general it seems that meat eaters have the better diet due to all the nutrition need being met, compared to a vegan who has to constantly worry about their intake and supplements. In an article titled, “6 Reasons Why Vegans (and Doctors) Are Wrong About Animal Protein”, Kiefer, a health physicist argues that vegans constantly have to worry about good health to the point that it may be unhealthy. For example, “Vegans suffer from protein malabsorption and amino acid deficiencies.. diets produce massive imbalances in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids that may affect one’s immune system” (Kiefer). Also, to the point about meat eaters having higher BMI’s, that may simply be because vegans lack nutrition. The muscle and body mass between both groups will be very different if one is abstaining from meat.

Figure 9: According to The Harvard School of Public Health the following is an ideal healthy plate (Harvard School of Medicine).

As shown by the healthy eating plate above, The Harvard School of Public Health, found that animals are an essential part of diet. Milk is needed to fulfill calcium needs just as fish and poultry are needed for healthy protein needs. Some sources can only come from or be produced by animals and that is why veganism is not as much of an optimal diet as people think. In addition, it is also interesting to bring forth the point that veganism is an expensive diet and it can be costly.

 

Figure 10: The following shows expenses for different diets; Here, vegan is the costliest (Lending Tree).

Cost is an important consideration that people tend to overlook. It correlates with health because one reason why people may not go vegan or ever think about going vegan is the associated expenses. This also attacks the humane concept of the diet because if fruits and plants are more expensive, than more people will stick to eating meat. Not everyone can afford to live a lifestyle with the high budgets needed. As shown in the chart above, the weekly grocery bill for a vegan is almost $30 dollars more than a regular meat eater would spend in a week. Over time, this can add up to a ridiculous amount.

Overall, while the intentions and mission of a vegan diet can be regarded as ethical and humane, when it comes to healthiness, it seems that meat eaters are getting more nutrition in their bodies. This is not to say that veganism is not healthy. It is a healthy diet, but it is not as sufficient in terms of nutritional intake compared to an omnivore diet.

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

 

“Causes of B12 Deficiency Can Be Found and Fixed.” Www.Easy-Immune-                                      Health.com,www.easy-immune-health.com/causes-of-b12-deficiency.html.

“Definition of Veganism.” The Vegan Society, www.vegansociety.com                                                             /govegan/definition-veganism.

Gunnars, Kris. “Why Vegan Diets Suck.” Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2013,                                             www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-08/why-vegan-diets-suck.

Harvard School of Medicine. “Healthy Eating Plate & Healthy Eating Pyramid.” The .                    NutritionSource, 24 Aug. 2017,                                                                                                               www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-ating-plate/.

Holland, Anyssa. “Would We Be Healthier With a Vegan Diet?” Pinterest, 21 Sept.                           2012, www.pinterest.com/pin/92042386105647723/.

Kiefer, John. “6 Reasons Why Vegans (and Doctors) Are Wrong About Animal                                  Protein.” Body IO ®,   25 July 2017, body.io/6-reasons-why-vegans-and-                          doctors-are-wrong-about-animal-protein/.

Lendingtree. “Cost of Diets.” LendingTree, www.lendingtree.com/info/cost-of-diets/.

Mallory. “Vegan Info.” Pinterest, 2 Mar. 2016,                                                                                                www.pinterest.com/pin/173036810661453719/.

ReDeuxStitcheryDo. “Level 5 Vegan- Memes and Things.” Pinterest, 27 May 2016,                              www.pinterest.com/pin/283093526555717449.

Smith, Brittany. “5 Nutrients Vegans Don’t Get Enough Of.” Men’s Journal, 17 Aug.                           2017, www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/5-nutrients-vegans-dont-get-                           enough/.

SPOON, jessica | THE FORKED. “VEGETARIAN | VEGAN.” Pinterest, 7 Jan. 2013,                           www.pinterest.com/pin/124341639683863232/.

“Vegan Sources of Protein Vector Image on VectorStock.” VectorStock,                                                 www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/vegan-sources-of-protein-                               vector-3662017.

“Vegan vs. Meat-Eater.” Visual.ly, visual.ly/community/infographic/food/vegan-vs-                        meat-eater.

“VEGANS vs MEAT EATERS – Who Will Live Longer? Food / Diet Comparison.” The                       Infographics Show, 23 Apr. 1970,                                                                                               www.theinfographicsshow.com/home-1/vegans-vs-meat-eaters -who-                             will-live-longer.

“What Is a Vegan and What Do Vegans Eat?” Healthline, Healthline Media,                                         www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-a-vegan.

“WHAT PEOPLE ASSUME WILL HAPPEN IF YOU BECOME VEGAN VHHAH                                   NEED PROTEIN WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS MEAT When You Go                                Vegan | Protein Meme on SIZZLE.” SIZZLE, onsizzle.com/i/what-                                    people- assume-will-happen-if-you-become-vegan-vhhah-1282744.