Why Vegans Should Eat Meat?

Many people adopt a vegan diet to stay healthy and live ethically. However, while many people see health benefits to avoiding consuming all animal products, there are those who provide evidence and arguments about why vegans should eat meat.

In the end, everyone has an individual decision to make about their diets. However, you may want to review the points of view presented by both sides of the argument. You can go over this discussion with our team at Wholistically Healthy when you call us at 0450 344 607.

Let’s Go Over Different Diets

Before we go into the reasons to consider eating meat as a vegan, it’s essential to get familiar with different diets.

Omnivorous Diets

People on an omnivorous diet eat a mix of plant and animal products. They may eat any animal proteins and all plant-based nutrition.

Plant-Based Diets

Individuals on a plant-based diet primarily consume plants. They may eat a lot of nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. However, they may include some animal proteins in their diets. As long as they primarily consume plants, they have a plant-based diet.

Individuals who mostly eat plant-based diets but sometimes consume meat may identify as “flexitarians.”

Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet

Some people focus specifically on including whole foods in their diet. They consume primarily plant-based items and avoid most processed foods. However, they may still eat some animal products.

Vegetarian Diet

Some people who focus on a plant-based diet identify as vegetarians. Note that there are several subcategories when it comes to vegetarian diets, including:

• Pescatarians who eat shellfish and fish
• Lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat dairy products and eggs
• Pesco-pollo vegetarians who eat chicken, shellfish, and eggs

Each vegetarian has to make their own decision regarding their dietary preferences.

Vegan Diet

Finally, some people decide on a completely vegan diet. Vegans follow a rigorous dietary plan, avoiding all animal products, including eggs and honey. Many vegans also avoid using leather, fur, and certain makeup products to avoid supporting anything that could harm an animal.

Is It Better to Eat Meat or Be Vegan?

There are dietary benefits to veganism and diets that include some animal products. We’ll review the primary arguments offered by people on both sides of the debate so you can make your own informed choices.                                                                                

Why Some People Claim It’s Better to Eat Meat

Many studies demonstrate the health benefits associated with a plant-based diet. However, individuals who do well on a vegan diet often have to carefully design their meals to ensure they get all the nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy.

A strictly vegan diet can lead to deficiencies in:

• Protein
• Fatty acids
• Iron
• Zinc
• Iodine
• Calcium
• Vitamins D and B12

Proteins play a pivotal role in supporting your health. Your body uses proteins to fight diseases, heal, and build muscle. Unfortunately, many people begin feeling unhealthy on a vegan diet without sufficient protein levels. Vegans may need to eat a lot of soy protein to make up for missing animal proteins in their diets.

Why Some People Claim It’s Better to Stick to Veganism

If we’re going to discuss why vegans should eat meat, it’s essential to look at the other side of the issue. There have been numerous studies and reports from healthcare professionals detailing the benefits of vegetarian diets.

Individuals who eat plant-based foods often show lower risks for:

• Ischemic heart disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cancer

Vegans and vegetarians often have lower levels of cholesterol and lower blood pressure. These factors can lead to increased feelings of well-being and healthiness, which you should consider when looking into a vegan diet.

However, not all people who adopt a vegan diet see these benefits. Health improvements generally go along with eating fresh and unprocessed foods. Vegans who eat a lot of snacks and other highly-processed items, like impossible burgers, can end up in poor health, just like anyone else.

What Happens if a Vegan Eats Meat?

Many people who consider a vegetarian or vegan diet worry about facing digestive consequences if they decide to go back to eating meat in the future. While some people experience some digestive changes if they add meat back into their diet, there is no scientific evidence that adding animal proteins back to your diet should cause you distress.

However, some people have a sensitivity to meat. If these individuals begin eating animal protein again, they may notice:

• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Irritability

Sensitivities can cause inflammation, but sensitivity to animal proteins remains relatively rare in the general populace. Indeed, many people begin feeling better after adding meat back into their diet. Some people report:

• Sleeping deeper through the night
• Having more energy
• Feeling more satisfied at mealtimes
• Seeing changes in their skin

Indeed, we’ve seen reports of people experiencing fewer headaches and lessened menstrual symptoms after adding meat proteins to their diet.

How Does Veganism Change Your Body?

A strictly vegan diet can cause changes in your body, depending upon the kinds of foods you eat. Many people on a vegan diet find themselves losing weight. Over time, the diet may begin having additional effects on your body, such as those found below.

Issues With Bone Density

Vegans give up dairy products. Yet, many of us rely on these products to get enough calcium to maintain the health of our teeth, bones, and nervous system. Unfortunately, long-term drops in calcium intake can weaken these parts of the body.

However, vegans can get the calcium they need through other options. For example, they may eat soybeans and legumes to get dietary calcium. Some vegans also take supplements to increase their calcium intake.

Fatigue and Grogginess

Diets that include animal products often contain more choline and iodine. Your thyroid uses iodine to function correctly. You rely on your thyroid to regulate your mood, energy levels, and metabolism, so low iodine levels can severely impact your health.

Also found in animal products, choline helps improve your mood and memory. Many vegans take supplements or focus on foods that contain some choline to feel better. You may also experience fatigue because plant-based foods generally have fewer calories than animal products.

Taste Things Differently

Veganism can impact your sense of taste as your levels of zinc drop. Many people rely on red meat to get sufficient zinc in their diets. In addition to controlling your sense of taste, zinc also helps support your immune system.

However, you may get enough zinc on a vegan diet if you eat foods like kale, mushrooms, and chickpeas. You may also consider taking a supplement to support your diet.

Do Vegans Live Longer?

If we’re going to review why vegans should eat meat, it’s essential to focus on all possible benefits of veganism.

Many studies have found that vegans and vegetarians have lower risks of contracting serious diseases like cancer or diabetes. Avoiding these diseases can help you live longer. Additionally, individuals on a vegan diet often have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can also improve overall health and help extend your lifespan.

However, the individuals who see these improvements do not just avoid meat products. They also tend to avoid processed foods while selecting foods that provide them with all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to stay healthy.

Impact of Other Factors on Your Health

Individuals can stay healthy on an omnivorous, plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan diet. In many cases, the key to maintaining your health involves avoiding processed foods. Ultra-processed foods, including sodas, chips, and ice cream, have considerable effects on your health, regardless of your overall diet.

Additionally, the consumption of alcohol often impacts your health directly. As a result, many vegans avoid alcohol, positively changing their health. However, meat-eaters can also cut these products out of their diet.

Research also shows that meat-eaters are more likely to smoke than vegans. Smoking increases the risks to your continued health, but you can abstain from it without removing animal products from your diet.

Consider the Speed You Eat With Any Diet

Nutritional experts recommend that you eat slowly, regardless of what kind of diet you adopt for your situation. Eating slower allows you to avoid overeating, improving your overall health and well-being.

You may also want to focus more on drinking water than other beverages. Water helps you feel full and allows you to avoid the extra sugars and chemicals in many other drinks, like sodas and even fruit juices.

 If you have more questions about the best diet for your needs, be sure that you speak to your doctor. This discussion is to help you learn more so you can make up your mind about whether or not you want to pursue a vegan diet.

Consider Your Meal Options

Are you still wondering why vegans should eat meat? You can learn more about different diets with our team at Wholistically Healthy. If you decide to go meat-free, consider our vegan meal delivery option. Call Wholistically Healthy at 0450 344 607 to discuss our services.