February 6, 2024February 2, 2024 tylersmith2026
More than 100,000 people have been trying to lose weight by trying to find the best diet. Vegan diets and carnivore diets are two major options. The debate between these diets is complicated because dieting is complicated. And while there is not a clear winner, both have pros and cons.
Diet:
Vegan diets are strictly consisted of plant based foods and does not allow anything revolving around animals, even eschew honey. These diets are high in vegetables, fruit, and fiber, which have been known to lower the risk of heart disease, higher blood pressure, and colon cancer. They also help lower blood sugar. The food that vegans eat also offers an immense amount of vitamins and sustainable nutrients.The negative effect of not consuming meat is a lack of protein coming from animals that they would rather not consume.
Carnivore diets are strictly consisted of meat or the flesh of animals. On the other hand, these diets are heavy in protein in the form of meat, including organ meat, which is a rich source of amino and fatty acids. Most protein comes from animals making it richer in protein and better for people’s, health, body, and muscles. Some carnivorous diets have had mental health, body, and strength drastically improve. The negative effect of eating a diet high in red meat is that it has been linked to a higher chance of heart disease.
Popularity:
As of 2022, 5-8% of the U.S. population has declared themselves as vegetarian. 9.7 million Americans are vegetarians, and about 1 million do not consume any animal products (vegan). About 10% of Americans above the age of 18 fall into the category of vegetarian or vegan.
According to the Vegetation Resource Group, approximately 70 to 75% of the world globally eats meat. According to Statista’s Consumer Insights of 2023, 86% of respondents surveyed in 21 countries said that their diets contain meat.
Environment:
When choosing between a vegan or a carnivorous diet, many people consider the environmental consequences to be a huge factor. Vegans usually try to stay away from animals because they believe it will make more of a bigger environmental impact on water pollution, livestock production, and the destruction of forests, not to mention the physical harm to the animals.
Though, some carnivores, who have more in numbers, choose locally sourced animals, going more for organic and free options. Because of this approach, it shrinks the negative impacts that are connected with meat production.
Obesity:
Vegan diets decrease the risks of obesity. According to nih.gov, “Several studies have shown that vegan diets are associated with a reduced incidence of obesity as they tend to include fewer trans-fats.” Obesity is a known risk for a wide range of health conditions. This includes cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, some cancer, and dyslipidemia, which is the imbalance of lipids. As a result, patients can avoid all of this by adopting the vegan diets.
On the other hand, carnivore diets are supposed to aid weight loss rather than support it. According to health.com, “since this dietary pattern is low in carb-rich foods and so high in protein, which is the most filling macronutrient, it’s likely that the Carnivore Diet will promote weight loss, at least in the short term.”
Foods:
While vegan and carnivore diets are supposed to be different, they both share many different foods. Both diets can include the same foods that contribute to weight loss, healthy nutrition, and balanced goals.
Vegetables: Vegetables are both important in vegan and carnivore diets, although both diets consume different amounts. They are very dense in nutrients and low in calories, making them a perfect choice for both diets. Both diets benefit the most from bell peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers.
Leafy Greens: Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens are common in both diets. Both diets love these because of the vitamins and minerals they provide, such as calcium and iron. According to eatdrinkbetter.com, “Even though carnivores try to stay in the range of meats, these greens provide micronutrients and added fibers.”
Fruits: While fruits are mainly found in vegan diets, some carnivore diets also include fruits. For example, berries, apples, and citrus fruits can add sweetness and nutrients that both vegans and carnivores enjoy eating.
Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds like almonds, pecans, and chia seeds are core foods for many vegan diets offering a great source of protein and healthy fats. While not as liked by many carnivores, some still snack on these for the nutrients and proteins.
Oils: Both vegans and carnivores utilize oils but in different portions. Vegans often want olive oil and avocado oil because they are rich in monounsaturated fats. On the other hand, carnivores usually lean towards animal-based fats like butter.
A Day in the Life of a Vegan:
- Breakfast: coconut yogurt with berries, walnuts, and chia seeds with apple slices, pumpkin seeds, and whole grain toast with avocado
- Lunch: baked tofu with sauteed red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and a salad with quinoa, avocados, tomatoes, onions, beans, and cilantro
- Dinner: mushroom lentil loaf with garlic cauliflower, Italian green beans
- Snacks: mixed berries, vegan protein shake, walnuts, homemade granola, and carrots with hummus
A Day in the Life of a Carnivore:
- Breakfast: 2 eggs, scrambled in butter with ¼ cup of cheese, 3 slices of turkey bacon, and 3 links of turkey sausage
- Lunch: 1 pound ground chicken with cheese, wild salmon, and crab burger with sauteed butter and sour cream
- Dinner: Chicken crust pizza, 3 large meatballs, bison steak with a side of sauteed shrimp
- Snack: cottage cheese, bacon chips, sardines, shrimp co*cktail, cheese sticks, and turkey bacon (chicken, beef and salmon)
Photo Credit: Yahoo Finance
