Common Myths About Vegetarians

Here are some myths & frequently asked questions:

1. Scientists cannot agree on what constitutes a healthful diet. FALSE.
   
   During the past decade seven impartial panels of experts, including the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, have linked diet and the incidence of chronic disease (causing the majority of deaths in N.Z.) It is a well publicised fact that New Zealanders should reduce the consumption of animal fat and meat.
   
2. Plant protein is of inferior quality. FALSE.
   
   This notion is based on the mistaken premise that all or most of out protein intake, needs to contain the same pattern of eight amino acids that make up our muscle tissue, or is converted into fat.
   
3. Where do vegetarians get enough protein? From plant foods.
   
   From the same food sources as most people - milk, grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables (soy beans and potatoes for example). However you can avoid the excess meat protein that is laced with fat, cholesterol, hormones etc. Meat places an unnecessary burden on your digestive system, liver and kidneys.
   
4. Well, don't growing children still need meat? NO.
   
   Growing children need plenty of protein, calcium and other minerals to build healthy bodies and bones, carbohydrates for energy, and vitamins to make them all work. These can be supplied by a healthy vegetarian diet.
   
   While some meats are rich in protein and iron, all meats are also high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which depletes calcium.
   
5. Plants are alive too! TRUE.
   
   However, people who are concerned about killing plants should definitely become vegetarians because they will consume only a small fraction of the plants that that are fed to livestock to yield an equivalent amount of animal food.
   
6. Vegetarian food takes too long to prepare! At first... (but give yourself time to practice).
   
   You may find some foods more complicated at first, but there is usually less preparation/clean-up. Vegetarian cooking is also fresher, cleaner, fun - and more hygienic. Storage of raw food is convenient, food stays fresher for longer, and you might be surprised at how creative you can be!
   
7. It is difficult to obtain sufficient first-class vegetarian protein. FALSE.
   
   N.Z. has an abundant source of "alternative proteins". The main sources of protein for vegetarians are soybeans, other legumes including lentils, kidney beans, chick peas; Tofu, & Tempeh; T.V.P. (textured vegetable protein); nuts (especially almonds & cashews); seeds(especially sesame, sunflower); sprouts; whole grains; dairy products.
   
   Eating plenty of variety from the various food groups ensures an adequate diet.
   
8. I do enough for animals without becoming vegetarian. Really?
   
   You may like animals and feel good about helping them, but by eating them you may also be personally responsible for the brutal slaughter of an average of 22 warm blooded animals per year. Since you already have an awareness of animal welfare, why not take the next logical step?