Vegans and Processed Foods (soy, Whole Foods, avocado, junk food)

[Maggie02]

The other day, I watched a documentary about being vegan. Theoretically, I like the idea. What I don't understand is all the processed foods. Processed fake meats, processed soy cheeses, processed margarine. The movie said that even Oreos are vegan. But isn't one of the ideas behind being vegan to be healthier? Can somebody help me understand? I can't imagine all vegans are okay with Oreos. Or are you all just that hungry? (I joke with that last line.)

[Annie53]

You are forgetting something......the meat one eats nowadays isn't exactly "pure" either.

[Lilac110]

Being a vegetarian or vegan does not mean people automatically substitute processed foods for meat. Some do, some don't. Across the board, the closer something is to its natural form, the better it is for you, so I try to eat as many unprocessed fruits and veggies as possible. But you will pry my cookies from my cold, dead hands.

[AnonChick]

Veganism is more than simply a dietary choice; it's a complete rejection of animal products and byproducts in -any- aspect of life. It's a whole lifestyle, which is why they're not called herbivores. Herbivores would denote, very specifically, a diet that excludes animals. Veganism excludes animals from their diet, AND products that animals make, such as honey and dairy, and it excludes the wearing of leather and bone, and the use of animal parts/byproducts in household cleaners, beauty products, vitamins and supplements and even to the point of avoiding taking prescriptions that come in capsules because often they are made from gelatin, which is derived from horse hooves and other byproducts of animal slaughter. It can also denote a political activism with some folks (though not always).

If your primary concern is overprocessed foods, then you'd be more into whole foods, raw foods, and macrobiotics. This *usually* coincides with vegetarianism but would still be whole foods (which can include meat, fish, and poultry), raw foods (which could ostensibly include fish - as in sushi - and in rare situations includes meat, but not poultry), and macrobiotics (which can include fish, but not meat or poultry) even if you're not a vegetarian.

Some vegans DO maintain a minimally-processed diet (there are a few like this right here on the forum). But for many, highly-processed foods such as meat analogues are part of their daily menus.

[Drowningintherain2]

I'm ok with oreos once in a while. It's nice to know that I have some junk food options when the mood strikes. Like AnonChick mentioned veganism, is a lifestyle choice that most make because of concern for animals. Many vegans are into eating whole foods and limiting or excluding junk food but a lot are not. I eat healthy whole foods most of the time but I'm not fanatical about it. My main concern is animal suffering, any health benefits of avoiding a lot of the garbage in the SAD diet are a bonus.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by Maggie02

The other day, I watched a documentary about being vegan. Theoretically, I like the idea. What I don't understand is all the processed foods. Processed fake meats, processed soy cheeses, processed margarine. The movie said that even Oreos are vegan. But isn't one of the ideas behind being vegan to be healthier? Can somebody help me understand? I can't imagine all vegans are okay with Oreos. Or are you all just that hungry? (I joke with that last line.)

Let me guess, you watched Vegucated?

That movie is not representative of all vegans. Some vegans eat a lot of processed stuff, some don't.

I've cut back on my processed food consumption and even before I "cut back" I wasn't eating that much of it. I treat myself to the occasional Gardein seven grain chickn tenders and french fries, and I have Chipotle about once a month. I've eliminated pre-made pita chips and have started to bake my own.

Some people have started to make the distinction between veganism and plant-based diet, to sort of emphasize the fact that plant-based has less processed foods, if any at all.

Also, just to put it out there, not everyone switched to a vegan diet out of concern for animal welfare. Some people made the switch for health concerns, environmental concerns, or some other reason.

[ThinkingElsewhere]

The original purpose of veganism/vegetarianism was to abstain from animal products due to the unethical treatment of animals in factory farms. It really wasn't meant to be more healthful. In fact, years ago, if anything veganism/vegetarianism was looked at as more "unhealthy" because of fewer protein sources. However, this has changed dramatically in recent years because of better knowledge and research in nutrition.

There are diets that are vegan based, such as the Esselyn diet, that are supposed to benefit those with cardiovascular disease. But when you read studies saying "vegans/vegetarians are healthier" that is mostly likely confounded by the fact that most people who chose to go vegan or vegetarian are more health conscious in general. In reality, veganism, like any diet, can be made healthy or unhealthy.

There are a lot of processed vegan/vegetarian foods you mention. In order to be a healthy eating vegan/vegetarian, you should be eating more vegetables, avocados, eggplant, quinoa, beans, organic tofu, and nuts in place of meat.

[Cattknap]

We eat a plant based diet with some processed food like bread, hot sauce, spices, vegetable stock, tofu, canned tomatoes, almond milk, peanut butter (which I make at the stoe) sometimes beans but I'm using dried bean mostly. I do buy mounds of organic vegetables each week and that takes a lot of prep and time to buy, wash, store and cook. No sugar - just fruit and very little snack food - a few gluten free crackers. I feel like I spend a lot of time at the store and in the kitchen - not complaining but to eat healthy and fresh is time consuming.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

We eat a plant based diet with some processed food like bread, hot sauce, spices, vegetable stock, tofu, canned tomatoes, almond milk, peanut butter (which I make at the stoe) sometimes beans but I'm using dried bean mostly. I do buy mounds of organic vegetables each week and that takes a lot of prep and time to buy, wash, store and cook. No sugar - just fruit and very little snack food - a few gluten free crackers. I feel like I spend a lot of time at the store and in the kitchen - not complaining but to eat healthy and fresh is time consuming.

Agreed. I have really increased my consumptions of fruits and vegetables lately (making green smoothies and plus the weather is warmer so strawberries, raspberries, and oranges are in season) and, feel like I visit the store way too often. When you buy a lot of processed stuff, it tends to last longer versus fruit or vegetables which can spoil in a matter of few days.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by Maggie02

What I don't understand is all the processed foods. Processed fake meats, processed soy cheeses, processed margarine. The movie said that even Oreos are vegan. But isn't one of the ideas behind being vegan to be healthier? Can somebody help me understand?

People that become vegan for animal rights reasons usually aren't any more interested in healthy eating as your typical American...which is to say they aren't interested at all.

Regardless, fake meat, fake cheese, etc aren't essential parts of a vegan diet so there isn't much to explain. Also, its not like the typical American diet isn't filled with processed foods...most people aren't eating whole foods.