the blog.
Vegan Myth Buster: "Cows Need To Be Milked."
Here we go! This is the kick-off for my new series: Vegan Myth Buster. The first myth I'm busting is "Cows Need To Be Milked." I hear this myth thrown around so often that I knew I had to debunk it!
Here we go! This is the kick-off for my new series: Vegan Myth Buster. The first myth I'm busting is "Cows Need To Be Milked." I hear this myth thrown around so often that I knew I had to debunk it!
My aim with this series is to keep the videos short and sweet and informative.
Watch the video here or on YouTube!
What myth should I bust next? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
5 Best Things About Being Vegan
This is the last video in my little miniseries surrounding my 4th Veganniversary on April 1st! Be sure to watch the other two videos in the series if you missed them:
This is the last video in my little miniseries surrounding my 4th Veganniversary on April 1st! Be sure to watch the other two videos in the series if you missed them:
Watch it right here or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O23Zo3IKuM4
It's a beautiful sunny day here in Toronto. I hope you have sun wherever you are, too!
Be sure to let me know what YOUR favourite thing about being vegan is!
Until next time,
Supplements on a Vegan Diet - Are Vegan Diets Nutritionally Complete?
If a vegan diet was healthy, you wouldn't need any supplements. I eat meat and I don't take supplements, so my diet must be natural for humans and healthier than yours.
Oh, carnist logic. Does it really mean that veganism isn't healthy if vegans have to take supplements to maintain optimal functioning of bodily systems?
No, and I'll tell you why.
If a vegan diet was healthy, you wouldn't need any supplements. I eat meat and I don't take supplements, so my diet must be natural for humans and healthier than yours.
Oh, carnist logic. Does it really mean that veganism isn't healthy if vegans have to take supplements to maintain optimal functioning of bodily systems?
No, and I'll tell you why.
Carnists/Omnivores/People eating the Standard American Diet like to harp on the idea that a vegan diet couldn't possibly healthy. That humans are meant to eat meat, or even MUST eat meat (and other animal products) to survive.
They cry: Protein! and Iron! and B12! in the hopes that you'll get freaked out by them yelling random macro and micronutrients in your face, forget all of the scientific evidence, and give up on veganism.
Unfortunately for them, vegans don't give up quite so easily.
So can you get protein on a vegan diet? Yes.
Can you get enough iron? Yes.
Can you get B12? Not really.
But, BUT, hear me out on this one, neither can carnists. Everyone, regardless of diet, is at risk of B12 deficiency. It is estimated that as many as 40% of the US population are deficient in B12, and let me tell you, as much as I wish 40% of the US population was vegan, they're not.
So, yeah, vegans should be taking B12 supplements. But so should vegetarians and carnists. We're all in this "B12-deficiency-waiting-to-happen" boat together, people.*
*Fun fact: most B12 that the animals we raise for food get comes from B12 shots. So if you eat meat, you're just getting a second0hand B12 supplement.
So, B12 aside, if we can get all of the nutrition we need from a vegan diet (and we can, says every major dietetics association I've seen) then why do some vegan and plant-based doctors and nutritionists recommend taking various supplements?
Because:
A) No one is perfect. And:
B) Everyone is unique.
No One Is Perfect
No matter how well you plan your diet, no matter how many superfoods you consume, no matter how many green veggies you pack into your daily smoothie, you will not be perfect. You will not get the exact RDA for every macro and micronutrient every single day. If you're anything like me, you're really bad at planning your diet and sometimes just want to eat cereal and potatoes and there's nothing wrong with that, OK??
Sorry. That got a little out of hand.
But really, it's hard to eat a perfectly planned diet all of the time. And even if you could, we've got to look at what we're working with. Produce isn't as nutritionally dense as it once was, our soil is being depleted, and buying a wide variety of fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce isn't always possible depending on your area and pocketbook.
So let's be a little kinder to each other, ok? Sometimes taking a supplement is the best way to be sure you're getting enough of an important nutrient, without having to obsess over it.
And really, that's better for everyone.
Everyone Is Unique
Some people are pre-disposed to certain nutrient deficiencies like anaemia, just like some people are pre-disposed to liking horrible music. We're all unique snowflakes, and that's great.
What this means is that some people need to get more of certain nutrients than others, and sometimes that means they need to supplement their diet with concentrated sources of those nutrients.
Just leave them be already, ok?
The Supplements I Take
I am not prescribing anything here because I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. I am simply sharing my experience!
Every day I take B12 and vitamin D, two nutrients that even vegetarians and carnists are likely low on. We touched on B12 earlier, and most people are aware that if you live in a less sunny climate, a vitamin D supplement is a good idea.
A couple times a week I'll take an algea-derived omega-3 supplement (because unless I'm really focusing on it, I tend to forget to eat the plant-based foods that provide omega-3 like ground flaxseeds) and biotin (or vitamin B7) which is meant to aid in maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. As you probably know, my hair is quite long and I haven't had it cut for about 4 years. In light of this I like to try to keep it as healthy as I can!
For those who are curious, here are the specific supplements I take:
Vitamin B12 - SBR Nutrition Liquid Dietary Supplement* (You use the dropper to pop it under your tongue and hold it for 30 seconds then swallow. It tastes like cherries!)
Vitamin D - Vitashine by Vegetology 2500iu Vitamin D3 Tablets (This is the only Vegan Society Registered Vitamin D3 supplement)
Omega-3 - Opti3 by Vegetology Omega-3 EOA & DHA Capsules (This one also contains a dose of their vitashine vitamin D3, so you can take this one supplement daily for both uses, if you like!)
Biotin - SBR Nutrition Liquid Dietary Supplement* (You also pop this one under your tongue, but this one is vanilla flavour!)
The point is, taking supplements does not invalidate the health benefits of a plant-based vegan diet. So carnists, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop implying it does!
Do you take any supplements? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
*The products from SBR Nutrition were sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own. I have been using them and plan on repurchasing with my own money when they run out. If you're interested in giving them a try you can use the code: plantSBR for 20% off your purchase on their website or amazon.com. If you purchase through amazon.ca you can email Neil at neil@sbrnutrition.com letting him know that I sent you and 20% will be refunded after your product ships!
I am not an affiliate for SBR Nutrition, so I don't make any commission if you decide to purchase from them. If you do want to kick me some change then click the image below and then make your purchase - that way Amazon will send me a couple cents with no extra cost to you!
#LastWeekInVegan Chloe Fired From by CHLOE. For What?? & Esther The Wonder Pig Gets A TV Show!
Here we are for another #LastWeekInVegan! I have to admit, I was a bit shocked by the first story today. The way Chloe Coscarelli has been pushed out of by CHLOE. is a warning to all young entrepreneurs, and you best believe I heard it. Have you been keeping up with the story? I did some digging to piece it together, but there are still quite a few details that have been left out of the press. I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on the whole situation!
Here we are for another #LastWeekInVegan! I have to admit, I was a bit shocked by the first story today. The way Chloe Coscarelli has been pushed out of by CHLOE. is a warning to all young entrepreneurs, and you best believe I heard it. Have you been keeping up with the story? I did some digging to piece it together, but there are still quite a few details that have been left out of the press. I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on the whole situation!
As always, you can watch the video right here or hop on over to YouTube! Don't forget to subscribe to my channel, if you haven't already.
STORY 1: Chloe Coscarelli fired from her restaurant chain, by CHLOE.
New York arbitrator ruled that ESquared Hospitality is allowed to terminate Chloe and move forward with the brand without her involvement.
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=7953&catId=1
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9241&catId=1
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9246&catId=1
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9251&catId=1
http://www.organicauthority.com/bye-chloe-vegan-restaurant-chain-loses-visionary-founder/
STORY 2: GLAMOUR suggests its readers go vegan and cruelty-free
The article is titled:
"5 Things You Can Do to Protect the Environment Without Turning Your Life Upside Down"
2nd on their list? Ditch the meat. They say: "This one may sting at first, but it’s the single biggest shift you can make.” Bam!
3rd? Switch to Cruelty-Free products. They rep looking for the PETA bunny, Leaping bunny, or Vegan symbols.
Not bad Glamour, not bad.
Here's the rest of their article:
STORY 3: Arkansas Passes Debilitating Ag-Gag Bill
Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson signed ag-gag bill HB1665 into law on Thursday March 23rd. The legislation will make it illegal for employees, journalists, investigators, and watchdogs in a variety of industries (including factory farms) to document abuse.
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9230&catId=1
STORY 4: Spinach Leaf Transformed Into Beating Human Heart Tissue
Scientists use the veins of a spinach leaf to transport blood to human heart cells.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/human-heart-spinach-leaf-medicine-science/
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9250&catId=1
STORY 5: Esther the Wonder Pig to get a Reality Show
Esther the Wonder Pig may soon have her own reality series entitled Estherville.
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=9235&catId=1
VEGAN FEEL GOOD TIME:
Mercy For Animals Video on Farmed Animal Intelligence: https://www.facebook.com/mercyforanimals/videos/10154770111524475/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED
Your Vegan Fallacy Is… (for the next time you get into a debate with a meat-eater)
http://yourveganfallacyis.com/en
The Fry Family Food Co. UK - short film/documentary (from goat farming to vegan meats) https://www.facebook.com/plantbasedbride/posts/411840109168932
What are your thoughts on today's stories? Will you tune in to watch Estherville?
Until next time,
