If you aren't vegan, do you consider plant based options healthier?

[Anonymous]

I have a kid who is very into cooking, and especially cooking that involves a challenge. We have a vegan friend who visits regularly, and one thing my kid has gotten very into is figuring out how to make vegan versions of various recipes.

We are omnivore in our family, and that isn't likely to change. But as we discover vegan substitutes that are equally as good, as sometimes they are, does it make sense to just change over?

Assume similar level of processedness (e.g. I'm not asking if I should eat twinkies or oreos instead of my homemade wholewheat muffins that have some egg)

A few examples -- baked goods that taste pretty much the same with eggs or flax eggs, caesar salad dressing made with tahini and capers instead of eggs and anchovies, gnudi made with home made tofu ricotta instead of milk ricotta, smoothies with coconut yogurt instead of milk yogurt, stuffing made with vegetable broth and seitan sausage with seitan instead of chicken broth and turkey sausage.

[Anonymous]

I am vegetarian, not vegan - and some plant-based foods are healthier, some not. If it's processed turkey sausage or processed soy sausage, I think it's probably a draw. If it's a meal that adds extra vegetables into your diet, that's good!

I don't think milk or eggs are especially unhealthy - I prefer plant milk because I like the taste better.

The main reason to switch over in the cases you're describing would be to reduce the amount of cruelty you're contributing to, instead of improving your health, I think. There are vegan choices you can make that will be healthier than what you are eating now, but I suspect the meals you are talking about are probably roughly equally healthy/unhealthy.

Your kid sounds awesome. I love that they are taking up this challenge and enjoying it - and that's awesome you're so open to it, too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am vegetarian, not vegan - and some plant-based foods are healthier, some not. If it's processed turkey sausage or processed soy sausage, I think it's probably a draw. If it's a meal that adds extra vegetables into your diet, that's good!

I don't think milk or eggs are especially unhealthy - I prefer plant milk because I like the taste better.

The main reason to switch over in the cases you're describing would be to reduce the amount of cruelty you're contributing to, instead of improving your health, I think. There are vegan choices you can make that will be healthier than what you are eating now, but I suspect the meals you are talking about are probably roughly equally healthy/unhealthy.

Your kid sounds awesome. I love that they are taking up this challenge and enjoying it - and that's awesome you're so open to it, too!

Though the Cesar does sound healthier, in the vegan version, that said.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP -- the question of whether they're "better" or you "should" switch out depends on what features you're basing your value judgments on. Sometimes the veg option is healthier, sometimes it's not. Sometimes the veg option is cheaper, sometimes it's not. Sometimes the veg option is more environmentally friendly, sometimes it's not (sometimes it's hard to tell). Sometimes you're comparing the cruelty to animals with the non-veg option to the potential for cruelty to humans with the veg option (and sometimes it's hard to tell).

Personally, I tend to switch out for veg if the veg option is locally sourced and/or cheaper and/or healthier. Otherwise it's a bit of a tossup. It's okay to take things on a case-by-case basis. Also agree that your kid and your family sound great!

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on your diet as a whole. Dairy milk and almond milk (even if you make your own to reduce processed-ness and carbon footprint) just have different nutrients in them. If your diet is otherwise high in the things offered by dairy milk, the vegan alternative might be better. If you aren't getting those nutrients (like vitamin D) from other sources, the milk would be healthier. Similarly, eating non-vegan food to get iron and vitamin B12 might be better absorbed than vegan alternatives, though most people would be fine either way as long as they made an effort to get those nutrients into their diets.

It also depends on any medicine you're taking and health conditions. For example, leafy green vegetables are extremely healthy...except that for people on certain blood thinners or with AFib, eating a big helping might make their vitamin K levels spike so they have to moderate their intake and have similar amounts each day.

If the desire to go vegan (or get closer to vegan) is instead animal welfare or carbon footprint, there are other factors that have to be weighed.

[Anonymous]

This is why fake meat will go the way of the dodo - it's hyper processed, which is not healthy or sustainable.

Eat whole foods, whether vegan or something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am vegetarian, not vegan - and some plant-based foods are healthier, some not. If it's processed turkey sausage or processed soy sausage, !

We actually make both sausages from scratch. One from seitan, and one from turkey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why fake meat will go the way of the dodo - it's hyper processed, which is not healthy or sustainable.

Eat whole foods, whether vegan or something else.

All of the long term vegetarians that I know hate it. My daughter hasn't eaten meat in so long that she has no memories of meat; beyond burgers are repulsive to her. Maybe they're good for someone who misses meat?

[Anonymous]

Very rarely do I think the vegan swap is healthier in processed foods. Maybe one exception is the baked goods where you can use applesauce instead of butter? But none of your substitutions sound healthier to me, tbh. Of course a less processed vegan meal that means more veggies and fiber than you would normally get, just no animal products in it, can definitely be a healthier option than a cheeseburger or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why fake meat will go the way of the dodo - it's hyper processed, which is not healthy or sustainable.

Eat whole foods, whether vegan or something else.

I don’t think it’s any more unhealthy that ground up cows or pigs. The meat in burgers/sausages/hotdogs is the worst part of the animal. My FIL has gout and was told to cut out red meat. He’s ignoring that completely and taking a pill every day instead…..

[Anonymous]

Eat plant based is healthier if you are eating the right foods. Processed fake meats and fake cheese aren’t that. But eating beans, legumes, whole grains, lots vegetables, some tofu is definitely healthier for you than a hamburger.

We eat mostly plant based, but I do eat eggs and dairy in small amounts

[Anonymous]

About a year ago I switched from cow’s milk in my coffee to oat milk. I like the taste much better. But even though the calories and sugar are roughly similar, I cannot get past how overly processed the oat milk is, and how many added ingredients there are. So in this case, the animal version is a better choice for me, and I am switching back.

[Anonymous]

Based on your caveat about the level of “processed-ness,” yes I do think the plant-based option is better. This also assumes a well-rounded diet where you’re getting all the proteins and nutrients in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:About a year ago I switched from cow’s milk in my coffee to oat milk. I like the taste much better. But even though the calories and sugar are roughly similar, I cannot get past how overly processed the oat milk is, and how many added ingredients there are. So in this case, the animal version is a better choice for me, and I am switching back.

You can find nut milks that are main ingredient plus water. They don’t taste as good or have great textures though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am vegetarian, not vegan - and some plant-based foods are healthier, some not. If it's processed turkey sausage or processed soy sausage, !

We actually make both sausages from scratch. One from seitan, and one from turkey.

I am pp - and wow! What is your seitan recipe?