Germany: Fact check of vegan diet myths

From www.tierschutzbund.de 

To mark World Vegan Day on November 1, the German Animal Welfare Federation is dispelling the 30 most common preconceptions about vegan diets and lifestyles that many people hold. These range from the assertion that humans are omnivores by nature to the assumption that a vegan diet is unhealthy. The animal rights activists have summarized the 30 myths in their newly published myth paper “Why vegan? Arguing for animal welfare”. With this publication, the German Animal Welfare Federation aims to show that a plant-based diet is not only possible, but also makes sense for ethical reasons. 

“Vegan people are still ridiculed by society, although there are more than enough facts that speak in favour of veganism. Our myth paper provides these facts and debunks common myths about a plant-based diet,” says Verena Jungbluth, Head of the Veganism Department at the German Animal Welfare Federation. “We are also providing interested parties with a guide to help them understand the basics of the philosophy of veganism, to better classify arguments against it and to be well positioned in discussions with others.”

Our ancestors already ate meat - bogus argument or fact?

Meat consumption is often justified by the fact that our ancestors ate meat. Although humans are biologically omnivores, this does not mean that they necessarily have to eat meat. “Ethics and awareness of animal welfare should play a greater role today than historical eating habits,” says Jungbluth. Studies have also shown that the ancestors of Homo sapiens mainly ate fruit, leaves, nuts and insects. Today, the per capita consumption of meat in Germany is 52 kilograms per year.

Is a vegan diet unhealthy?

Critics often describe a vegan lifestyle without animal products as unhealthy. The fact is that a balanced plant-based diet covers all essential nutrients. Calcium and proteins are sufficiently present in plant-based foods. Legumes and nuts, for example, are good sources of protein. Vegans only need to take vitamin B12 supplements. “Everyone can make their own contribution to a world free of animal suffering through their consumption. A vegan diet and lifestyle is the most direct and consistent way to improve animal welfare. We hope to convince as many people as possible and get them excited about veganism,” says Jungbluth.

https://www.tierschutzbund.de/en/about-us/news/press/notification/fact-check-of-vegan-diet-myths