A Vegan Diet Won't Provide Enough Calories
Nature, particularly plant-based food, offers a wide array of flavorful
, nutrient-rich foods that have a more than sufficient amount of healthy calories capable of meeting our body's requirements. However, if in spite of this fact many have fallen for the myth that a vegan diet does not provide an adequate amount of calories. If you are one of the many just ask yourself this question. Do any of the typical fad diets provide an adequate amount of calories? We all know the answer is no. Still, we persist in questioning, critiquing and even disputing a diet as healthful as a vegan diet. It's time to do away with myths such as these that are keeping too many of us from realizing better health. Let's start by getting a clear understanding of just what calories are and what role they play.
Calories measure the amount of energy stored in food. Stated another way, calories measure the amount of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food. For instance, a gram of protein has 4 calories while a gram of fat has 9 calories. Thus, in measuring carbohydrates, fats and proteins you are also measuring calories. So in this regard, all foods have calories, including plant-based foods as they too have carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Specifically, compared to meat-based foods, plant-based foods are more rich in polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats (the healthy fats), which the body readily absorbs and transforms into energy. To illustrate, lets look at the caloric count of chick peas and chicken. A 3.53 ounce serving of chick peas has 364 calories versus a 3.53 ounce serving of roasted chicken which has only 173 calories. Though the chicken may have more protein, the caloric count is less. So, if it is calories that concern you rest assured that you will still get them on a vegan diet. Even if it is protein and caloric intake that you are focusing on there are a variety of plant-based foods that are good sources of both.
If you pay attention to your body it will signal you as to when it requires nourishment. Contrary to popular belief there is no set amount of calories that the body needs for sustenance. Why? Because the amount of calories that your body needs depends not on a set, one-size-fits-all amount but on a variety of things, namely your individual needs. For starters, your activity level will affect the amount of calories that your body needs. Someone who is highly active will need more calories than one who leads a rather sedentary lifestyle. The more active you are, the more calories you burn therefore the more you will need to consume. Other factors that will determine your required caloric intake are body type and size, age, gender, pregnancy and a host of others. That said, just listen to your body because unlike the food industry, some medical professionals, pharmaceutical companies and even the government it has no reason to lie to you about what it needs.
A Vegan Diet Won't Provide Enough Calories
By: Amirah Bellamy
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