In the pandemic process, old habits have been replaced by new habits. Their diets were also affected by these changes and changed. Vegan and vegetarian diets used to be very difficult, but according to studies, the number of people who think that plant nutrition is healthier has increased in the last two years. For this reason, plant-based nutrition is preferred much more than in the past. So, is plant-based nutrition really beneficial? Here are the correct known mistakes and answers to questions about herbal nutrition…
VEGETABLE NUTRITION SOLUTION TO THE NUTRITION NEEDS OF THE RISING POPULATION
The number of people adopting vegan and vegetarian diets is increasing day by day. Plant-based nutrition, which is preferred with certain sensitivities in order to reduce both animal rights and carbon footprint, is also considered as a solution to the nutritional needs of the increasing population in the coming years. Although discussions about its healthiness continue, the food industry has made a rapid entry into the vegetable-based product market, which is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, in recent years.
76 PERCENT OF GLOBAL CONSUMERS PREFER HEALTHY EATING
The Proveg International report, made by the V-Label Germany Office of the Turkish Vegan Association to evaluate the plant-based food sector, also revealed the results in line with the fact that consumers are now turning to vegan-vegetarian diet with the corona virus. In the report, it was stated that major countries made significant investments in alternative plant-based proteins that will replace animal proteins such as meat, milk and cheese. In addition, it was emphasized that 27 percent of these consumers prefer plant-based options in all foods, including meat. In the research, which shows the rates in big countries such as the UK, USA, Germany and Latin America as an example, it has been revealed that 32 percent of consumers have a vegan diet in recent years.
“VEGETARIAN NUTRITION HAS EXISTED SINCE THE EARLY AGES”
Commenting on the most frequently asked question “how healthy” regarding the vegan-vegetarian diet, Dr. from Istanbul Arel University, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. Lecturer Fitnat Şule Çakar stated that this diet has been around since ancient times, even if it is just being talked about. Dr. Lecturer Fitnat Şule Çakar stated that especially vegetarian eating habits have increased recently, and said, “When we look at the world, vegetarian nutrition has existed since ancient times, so it is not a new diet. There are different reasons why people prefer plant-based nutrition, some groups turn to this type of diet for their religious beliefs and some for the protection of animal rights. But lately, there are people who turn to this diet with the thought that it is especially healthy. So, we see that there is a turn towards vegetarian diet for various reasons. Sustainable nutrition is a very important issue when you look at it today. There is a shift towards a vegetarian diet as we turn to foods that cause the least damage to the environment and use the least water in the acquisition of nutrients. The reason for the increase may be not only healthy nutrition, but also the increase in the price of foods of animal origin or the inability to find them. The main thing is to willingly choose this diet. If it is fed like this, proper nutrition can be made with some additions.”
LEGUMES MUST BE PREFERRED IF MEAT IS NOT CONSUMED
Drawing attention to some points that should be considered in nutrition, if such a choice is in question, rather than the reason for the increase, Dr. Fitnat Şule Çakar said, “It is necessary to know that there are some rules in this, and to make equations for small nutrition in the name of adequate and balanced nutrition. Human beings need nutrients as well as energy in order to survive. We get both our energy and our proteins from animal foods. In addition, we get the good source of iron minaret, especially from the meat group. If we are moving away from animal nutrition and shifting to plant nutrition, we need to get the protein we get from animal foods from plant foods. What are we doing here, for example, when they eat meat, they use 98 percent of their protein, or when they eat eggs, they use 100 percent. We are going to increase protein quality by bringing together plant-based foods.
PLANTS WITH IRON MUST BE CONSIDERED
What we use the most is legumes plus grain mixes. For example, our favorite ezogelin soup is an example of this. It contains both legumes and grains. At the same time, rice with chickpeas is considered a national dish and is one of our favorites. It is a mixture of dried beans and rice, legumes and grains. When we eat these, we get proteins equivalent to meat. One of our deficits remains in iron, animal-derived iron, especially in red meat, is completely used when taken by the body. We say meats are good sources of iron, there is also iron in plants. For example, spinach. Okay, leafy greens like spinach have a lot of iron, but the absorption rate is low in the body. Therefore, while taking that iron, it should be given in a nutrition program in a way that will increase their absorption rate.” He gave suggestions for being healthy in plant-based food preferences.
THE PROBLEM OF ANNEAS IS TOO MUCH IN TURKEY
Şule Çakar, who also touched on the social diet, continued her words as follows: “Our biggest problem in vegetarian groups is that we are troubled during growth and development periods or in special physiological situations such as pregnancy, that is, when protein needs increase. And about cancer. In order to be healthier as a way of nutrition, we make all our suggestions for adequate and balanced nutrition within the framework of what we call the Mediterranean diet. In the nutrition pyramid formed, there are cereals and legumes at the bottom, that is, the most. There are fruits and vegetables on it. After that, it goes to the oils.
TURKEY IS GENERALLY A VEGETARIAN FEED SOCIETY
In other words, there is already a decrease in the consumption of animal foods worldwide. However, when we look at the conditions in Turkey, the need for protein does not seem to be much. We can afford it especially from breast milk. Our main problem is not protein, because we use legumes and grains together, so we get high quality. In our country, the problem is mostly anemia. Especially in women, anemia in women of childbearing age causes children to be born with anemia. In addition, if we evaluate nutrition as a whole, we are generally a vegetarian society.”
BEST NUTRITIONAL STYLE
Şule Çakar also mentioned the diet that experts call the “best” diet: “For example, those who eat vegetarian due to religious beliefs do not eat anything from the dead animal, but they easily use products such as milk and eggs while they are alive. From a nutritional point of view, this is the best diet. So, okay, let’s not eat meat, but if we at least get milk and eggs, our nutrition will be of better quality.”
THERE IS A LOT OF WRONG INFORMATION ABOUT NUTRITION
Cakar, who also warned that there is too much wrong information about nutrition, ended his words by saying, “Everyone has the right to receive correct information about nutrition, no matter what. Sometimes we see, for example, our basic food is bread. There is no such thing as not eating bread. Let’s not eat white bread, okay, but let’s eat whole wheat bread. Because it has pulp, vitamins and minerals and these are important for us. For example, let’s not eat rice, let’s eat bulgur. We should get the right information from the right sources before we go into this kind of speculation.”