The funny thing about eating a vegan diet is the amount of concerned people you attract. I hear things like “I am concerned that you are not getting proper nutrition.” or “Are you sure you are getting enough … (fill in the blank with calcium, protein, etc.)?” What I really think is that people are just curious; not concerned.
I do not mind people asking me about it because it just gives me a chance to share with them what I have learned. For example, prior to becoming vegan I had no idea that in less than a cup of collard greens there is as much calcium as in a cup of cow's milk. I grew up thinking that dairy was the only way to get calcium so I too was quite surprised that fruit, veggies, grains and legumes all provide an easily digested source of calcium. The other big concern that people have is that I do not get enough protein. Again, protein is found in almost every aspect of my diet – legumes, tofu, grains, veggies and soy products. Since becoming a vegan I have learned so much about nutrition and can confidently say that I am getting better nutrition now than when I was eating the Standard American Diet (SAD).
I am sure that the questions will keep coming, and that is okay. Curious concern may be just the thing that inspires someone else to give a vegan diet a try.
