Veganism is trending. The controversial documentary “What the Health?” recently ignited conversation with its claim that eating animal products leads to increased disease risk. While many health professionals do not endorse the film’s claims due to a lack of supporting evidence, the idea that a diet consisting of poor-quality, cheap meat and dairy foods would be harmful in the long term is not surprising.
Whether prompted by the documentary or by celebrities promoting the values of an all-plant diet, veganism is in the news. Luckily, many vegan products are on the market, which definitely makes it easier to become vegan today. However, you should still seek guidance before jumping on board. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Talk with your doctor
Regardless of why you want to go vegan, it is a major lifestyle change, and your health care provider should advise on how to prevent nutritional deficiencies. This is especially true for children and young adults. Before going vegan, I recommend undergoing a full blood workup. Checking lab values—such as iron, B12, and calcium/vitamin D—could be a good tool to know where you are starting from and what foods should be encouraged.
Consider Vegan-ish
It may not be necessary to go totally vegan. Ever heard of a flexitarian? That’s someone who is mostly vegan but eats meat occasionally. In addition, purchasing the best quality meat and dairy items, and only consuming them a couple days a week, may be a good step toward a healthier diet without worrying about deficiencies and relying on supplements.
Going vegan is not the same as dieting
Going vegan does not necessarily mean that you will lose weight. A lot of people end up overeating processed carbohydrates and actually gain weight. Being vegan is not a crash diet but a lifestyle change that takes a lot of planning. For example, you should experiment with non-dairy cheeses and make a list of all the plant-based proteins to structure into your day.
Remember, becoming vegan is a dietary change that should be managed with care. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking the plunge.
Valentine Reed-Johnson RD, CDN, is an outpatient dietitian in the Clinical Nutrition Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Previously, she worked inpatient for four years primarily with vascular and general medicine patients. Currently, Ms. Reed-Johnson works with the KPE OB/GYN clinic. She has an interest in Diabetes and Wellness Nutrition. She especially enjoys writing as it is the best way to reach the most people and clear up the overwhelming amount of conflicting Nutrition information in the media.