6 ms·

Strictly speaking vegan is obviously a more limited subset of omnivore. But in a practical sense, it would surprise me if vegans didn't have more variety in the

Strictly speaking vegan is obviously a more limited subset of omnivore. But in a practical sense, it would surprise me if vegans didn't have more variety in their diet. I was vegetarian for almost a decade, basically my 20s, and what became clear immediately was that I had to figure out different stuff to eat. Default food wouldn't work anymore, so I have to branch out a lot and find foods that I would've never thought about before. I think my experience is relatively common. That having been said, it IS easier to have a deficient diet, if you're not paying attention. "Carbitarian" is what some people call veg-ns who just hork down pasta, bread, and whatever other unhealthy nonfood is technically animal-free. So I think it's possible that veg-ns have a more diverse diet on average, and that they also are statistically more likely to have deficiencies (something like a bimodal distribution). Obviously, these are empirical questions.

Moto7451 9y ago
I think you mean to say that veganism is a subset of vegetarianism? Omnivores by definition eat animal products. I'm typically vegetarian to suit my own wacky body chemistry and slow metabolism (tldr; lowered/normalized my blood pressure, cholesterol, lost weight etc by diet changes and exercise) and would like to underline the point you're making about finding dietary substitutes. Protein consumption was the hardest thing for me to adjust back into nominal ranges. It's pretty easy to overconsume carbs (carbitarianism) on the way to getting the 50-100g of protein needed for a typical semi-active to active day.
- nradov 9y ago
  Has your slow metabolism been confirmed by lab tests? Many people seem to think they have a slow metabolism but very few actually do.
  - Moto7451 9y ago
    I suppose I don't fit the scientific definition of a slow metabolism. I clock in at around 1800 calories per day, which is within a nominal range. That said, I cannot eat the way the rest of those around me can without gaining huge amounts of weight. I've lost 100lbs and it took a lot of time to figure out that I just can't eat the same as my friends do and maintain a healthy weight.
    - nradov 9y ago
      Most likely you're overestimating how much your friends actually eat. Unless you're monitoring them 24/7 then you don't really know for sure.
Tharkun 9y ago
I suppose it's possible for vegans/vegetarians to eat better/more balanced than many omnivores, purely because they're much more likely to be taking an active interest in nutrition. The folks who eat frozen pizza every night probably aren't the most balanced eaters.
ThomPete 9y ago
But in the context of this article, the point was simply that if you eat more or less anything you will get most of the different general food types you need (salad, protein, fibers, carbs) and thus you will most likely get what you need. Vegans trying to find substitutes for some of those general food types doesn't mean they end up being more diverse just that they have to look at more alternatives but the body doesn't really care if you eat iceberg and romain and baby spinach it cares that you eat fibers and protein and minerals. I am not an expert it just seems to me that by not excluding things from your diet like meat you are getting a for much less (eating meat gives you not just protein but ex. iron) Things that other protein substitutes doesn't necessarily give you.

Moto7451 9y ago

I think you mean to say that veganism is a subset of vegetarianism? Omnivores by definition eat animal products. I'm typically vegetarian to suit my own wacky body chemistry and slow metabolism (tldr; lowered/normalized my blood pressure, cholesterol, lost weight etc by diet changes and exercise) and would like to underline the point you're making about finding dietary substitutes. Protein consumption was the hardest thing for me to adjust back into nominal ranges. It's pretty easy to overconsume carbs (carbitarianism) on the way to getting the 50-100g of protein needed for a typical semi-active to active day.

nradov 9y ago
Has your slow metabolism been confirmed by lab tests? Many people seem to think they have a slow metabolism but very few actually do.
- Moto7451 9y ago
  I suppose I don't fit the scientific definition of a slow metabolism. I clock in at around 1800 calories per day, which is within a nominal range. That said, I cannot eat the way the rest of those around me can without gaining huge amounts of weight. I've lost 100lbs and it took a lot of time to figure out that I just can't eat the same as my friends do and maintain a healthy weight.
  - nradov 9y ago
    Most likely you're overestimating how much your friends actually eat. Unless you're monitoring them 24/7 then you don't really know for sure.

Tharkun 9y ago

I suppose it's possible for vegans/vegetarians to eat better/more balanced than many omnivores, purely because they're much more likely to be taking an active interest in nutrition. The folks who eat frozen pizza every night probably aren't the most balanced eaters.

ThomPete 9y ago

But in the context of this article, the point was simply that if you eat more or less anything you will get most of the different general food types you need (salad, protein, fibers, carbs) and thus you will most likely get what you need. Vegans trying to find substitutes for some of those general food types doesn't mean they end up being more diverse just that they have to look at more alternatives but the body doesn't really care if you eat iceberg and romain and baby spinach it cares that you eat fibers and protein and minerals. I am not an expert it just seems to me that by not excluding things from your diet like meat you are getting a for much less (eating meat gives you not just protein but ex. iron) Things that other protein substitutes doesn't necessarily give you.