The vegan diet debate

Beyoncé, Alicia Silverstone and Anne Hathaway are all vegans and sing the diet’s praises, but where do you stand on the vegan diet debate? If you want to get clued up then read on.

Following a vegan diet means avoiding all animal products, and this includes everything from honey to eggs. And while many vegans choose this diet because of their opinions on animal welfare, some people also go vegan in search of a healthier diet. A study by the Boston University School of Public Health, found that people who don’t eat meat and fish tend to eat higher proportions of wholegrains, nuts, fruit and veggies, and a vegan diet which focuses on these elements could potentially boost your health. We chat to nutritional therapist Stephanie Ridley (nourishtoflourish.com) about the health pros and cons of forgoing animal products.

Healthy ideas
A vegan diet is thought to have a range of health benefits, but further studies are needed to back this up. ‘There are some small studies that have shown a strict vegan diet may be beneficial for certain health problems, including fibromyalgia, heart disease and rheumatoid diseases possibly due to the rich antioxidant intake with the high plant intake,’ says Stephanie.’ But to maintain optimum health while following a vegan diet it is important to bear in mind the points below about making sure you get all the nutrients your body needs. ‘There hasn’t yet been a large scale review of the evidence to show that those on vegan diets are healthier than those who aren’t, so we don’t really know,’ says Stephanie.

The meat issue
Yes meat is packed with protein, but there are plenty of other sources of this important nutrient. And of late meat has had a bit of a bad rap. ‘There has been some research over recent years showing that certain meats may increase the risk of certain cancers – in particular processed meats, probably due to their high salt and fat profile,’ says nutritional therapist Stephanie Ridley (nourishtoflourish.com). But meat is mineral rich and cutting it out completely may not be the best idea. ‘In moderation red meat may be an important and nutritious part of someone’s diet,’ says Stephanie. ‘It’s rich in minerals such as iron and a great source of protein. If you eat a lot of red meat then cutting back and including more variety in your diet may be beneficial.’

Nutrient watch
‘If you are a vegan you must know what you should be eating to make sure you give yourself the right intake of essential nutrients, in particular vit B12 (needed for healthy brain and nervous system). Many vegans are deficient in B12 since it is found in animal products,’ says Stephanie.

And it’s important to pay attention to the types of protein you’re eating. ‘You must also be aware of combining protein sources to make sure you get all the essential amino acids – (all essential amino acids are present in animal products so non-vegans don’t need to worry about this).’ And keep an eye on your omega-3 intake. ‘You also need to know how to obtain enough essential omega-3 DHA, key for mental wellbeing and healthy immune responses.’

Sports support
Many successful athletes have put their successes on the track, field and pitch down to following a vegan diet. One of the most famous is sprinter Carl Lewis who dominated on the track when he started eating a vegan diet.