I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. The information in this post is not intended to be medical guidance of any kind and should not be used to diagnose or treat any diseases or illnesses. This post reflects my personal experience eating a plant-based diet. As always, consult with your physician prior to making any diet or lifestyle changes.
I have followed a plant-based diet for over 3 years now, and I was vegetarian for 6 years prior to that. Over those years, I have noticed several common questions regarding my eating habits. You’ll find those questions (and their answers) in this post. This simple guide will hopefully answer any questions you may have about my recipes or my website in general.
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What is the difference between “vegan” and “plant-based” diets?
The term ‘Plant-Based’ refers to a way of eating where the person primarily or entirely consumes foods derived from plants. Most people use this term to refer to strictly eating non-animal products only, but some people do include animal-derived foods on occasion. On the other hand, someone following a vegan diet does not ever consume any animal products. Some vegans also refrain from using non-food animal products such as leather.
In this blog, I will use the terms ‘plant-based’ and ‘vegan’ interchangeably.
What are the benefits of eating a plant-based diet?
That depends! For me personally, my body functions better when I do not consume animal products. Eating a plant-based diet has also helped me control my genetically-inclined-to-be-terrible cholesterol.
Research1 has shown that people who consume plant-based diets are less likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Everyone has their own reasons for eating plant-based. You should speak with your doctor before determining if a plant-based diet is right for you.
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Do vegans get enough protein?
*Cue the eye roll* It is a complete myth that people who do not eat meat or dairy are deficient in protein. This is simply not true at all. Did you know that there are 31 grams of protein in 1 cup of cooked soybeans? That’s more than the 22 grams found in a 4 oz turkey burger.
In general, a well-rounded plant-based diet1 will provide enough of all of the different types of protein that the body needs to be healthy.
Is there anything that IS missing from a plant-based diet?
It is possible. B12 is the only nutrient that is very difficult to get enough of on a plant-based diet. B12 is produced by a bacteria that animals accumulate during their lives due to exposure to things like manure. Those who eat plant-based typically also consume a B12 supplement. Again, speak with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
If I’m trying to eat plant-based, what hidden animal ingredients should I look out for?
Let’s face it, food labels these days sometimes have more ingredients that we can’t pronounce than ones that we can. A lot of those hard-to-pronounce ingredients are derived from animal products. Some of the more well-known ones are gelatin, confectioner’s glaze, and shellac. You can find a complete list of hidden animal ingredients here.
Something that most people don’t know is that some granulated white sugar is not vegan. That’s right, they use bone char to whiten it – ew. To guarantee you are purchasing vegan sugar, make sure it is certified USDA organic, as they do not allow bone char as an ingredient in organic foods.
What if a label states “May Contain Milk”? Is it still Vegan?
Some labels indeed state they “May Contain” or are “Made in a facility that processes” animal products. This typically indicates that the product was manufactured in a setting where cross-contamination is possible. Most vegans consider this acceptable and will still consume products with these labels (myself included), but it is a personal preference. If you are cooking for someone else, you should always check with them!
Considering a Plant-Based Diet?
Try some of my favorite recipes:
I hope this simple guide helped answer any questions you may have regarding plant-based eating. If you have specific questions relating to my recipes, you can contact me through our contact page, or send me an email at info@planted-pantry.com.
Last Updated on January 12, 2025
