Objections to a Plant-based Diet

Last week I talked about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Today week I'm addressing some common objections/concerns/questions regarding eating this way.

1) It's too expensive.

Not an expert on this yet, having only eaten this way for six weeks now. I can tell you I only spent $25 at the grocery store the first three weeks, however, I did already have some bulk grains in my pantry and meat for my husband in the freezer. And there are only two of us. And I didn't meal plan.

So, if nobody's eating meat, you meal plan, and you buy in bulk, you're going to do well. I don't know if you'll spend less, but I'm quite sure you'll at least break even.

Another thing to consider is what kind of foods you'll be eating. Some people eat only raw whole fruits and vegetables and the occasional bowl of quinoa or lentils. That's going to be cheaper because those foods are less processed and more readily available. If you want to be a gourmet vegan chef, you'll be spending the big bucks on specialty items. I'm somewhere in the middle. I like variety, but I also like to not spend exorbitant amounts of money.

2) It's not yummy.

Once again, this all depends on your "type" of plant-based diet. You can actually make a vegan diet very yummy and unhealthy (Oreos, graham crackers, potato chips are all vegan), you can eat celery sticks and brown rice for every meal or you can experiment in the middle with a few prepared foods, a few raw foods and a few plant-based recipes.

I have tried so many yummy-nummy combinations of fruit- and vegetable-rich foods. The possibilities are endless. I have found a lot of great vegan recipes on Yummly. If you download the app to your phone, you can search for recipes using ingredients on sale at the grocery store, etc.

3) It doesn't offer complete nutrition.

This is a teeny tiny bit true, I will admit. There are a few vitamins and minerals that you have to be more intentional about while eating a plant-based diet.

Vitamin B12 - found in meat, soil and supplements. You can either eat a spoonful of dirt or take a vitamin. Here's the thing, though: the main reason people have a deficiency in B12 is because their digestive system isn't breaking it down and dispersing it well, not because they aren't getting enough in their diet. That being said, I choose to be safe and take a vitamin supplement.

Vitamin D - found in cow milk, fortified alternative milk, sunshine and supplements. So many options here! It's easy to find fortified soy or almond milk, and who doesn't love a bit of sunshine? Sunshine is much harder to get where I'm from, so I supplement as well.

Iron - red meat, spinach, broccoli, and pumpkin seeds, to name just a few. Yum! Pumpkin seeds are yummy and crunchy, and broccoli is one of my favorite veggies!

Protein - meat and nuts are not the only protein-packed foods out there.  They may have the most complete protein, but you can find high amounts of protein from so many very healthy and delicious sources. Nearly all veggies have protein (fruits do not usually have very much), and there is the classic beans and rice combo, which form a complete protein. This is something my grandpa liked to talk about. He knew a lot of stuff. I don't intend to explain proteins here; I'm not a nutritionist or scientist, I'm just trying to offer an overview.

3) My family won't do it with me.

I'm with you! I'm going it alone. Thankfully, one of my bestest friends has been vegan for several years now, so she and I can talk and plan and cook together sometimes. But most days, it's me and my veggies, and the formerly pleasant smell of my husband's pork asado (emphasis on formerly).

Being on the same page with your spouse on such an important matter as what you eat and how you shop is so important. Thankfully, my husband is fine with me doing this as long as I don't spend exorbitant amounts of time or money to make it happen. He would still prefer to pay $.99/lb for chicken than $6.99/lb to get the grass-fed, organic, pastured, local stuff, but we're still working that out with the food budget and our personal views.

While I would love to buy everything locally, ethically and organically (is that a word?), I will not go over my husband's head to do something because I respect him. And because he earns all the money. ;)

Meal prep is not such a big deal for three reasons:
a) My hubby likes to cook sometimes.
b) He is willing to try vegan food on occasion.
c) We don't have kids yet.

I still make him meals with meat about once a week, he cooks once a week, and then we both eat my vegan food once a week. Because there are only two of us, we have lots of leftovers and put them to good use in between cooking days.

4) It's not biblical.

God condones the eating of meat in several places in Scripture, which is why I do not believe eating meat is wrong. My concern is with how the meat we eat gets to our plates - what was put into the animals, how they were raised and how they were butchered.

That being said, there is nothing in the Bible that gives me the impression that God frowns upon plant-based eating. I think it is just one way to eat responsibly, ethically and healthfully in a way that honors God. However, I and other plant-based eaters must be careful to not fall into two traps that I've seen a lot in the vegan community: idolatry and pride.

Eating a plant-based diet should not consume my every thought. What we eat is an important part of our lives, certainly, but it's only one part. Also, I cannot think I'm superior to my husband or anyone else because of this lifestyle I have chosen. It is my choice, that is all. Others are trying to live well and honor God and may feel more convicted or passionate about other areas of their lives.

Did any of this help clarify something for you? Is there anything you have further questions about? What food do you think would be the hardest for you to give up if you were to go plant-based? Let me know in the comments below!