@ddnomad @BuddyTheBeefalo Omega-3 is an EFA, not an amino acid. It also isn't an issue if you get fats in their whole form (i.e. flax seeds instead of flax oil) as far as I understand.
The only actual deficiency that is present in a balanced whole foods plant based diet is B12, and that is a product of modern sanitation practices (dairy has it btw b/c cows are fortified with it as I understand it). Easily satisfied with a Vit B12 supplement or nutritional yeast.
@KevonLooney @banana_meccanica Did you incorporate legumes into your diet? Also whole grains (not refined flours and grains like AP flour and white rice)? A lack of fiber was potentially the issue (I've been WFPB - whole foods plant based - for a few years at this point and never have any trouble feeling full).
@Kbin_space_program @throws_lemy @LibertyLizard Or, you know, we could trace those emissions back to the source, which would land the blame squarely on the tons of US companies responsible.
Also, as an aside, why don't you compare per capita emissions, since China has > 3 times the population of the US?
@Kbin_space_program @throws_lemy @LibertyLizard As pointed out elsewhere, it's quite hypocritical to point to China to reduce emissions generated by manufacturing stuff for the West.
@letsgo2themall @Bipta So no, it's not at all *required* for the average human to eat meat. Veggies, on the other hand, are absolutely crucial due to tons of micronutrients and vitamins that are hard to get elsewhere.
@letsgo2themall @Bipta It's honestly not particularly hard to be a healthy vegan if you stick to WFPB and don't have any allergies. Allergies can make it harder, but they make *any* diet more complicated (think celiacs, for example). There is a *huge* variety of plants available to meet our nutritional requirements. Where there are gaps, it is because of modern sanitation practices (e.g. lack of B12) or other lifestyle factors (most people are deficient in D, for example).
@letsgo2themall @Bipta I eat tons of legumes, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and some grain. I don't set limits on carbs or fat, but aim to get certain amounts of protein, calcium, and iron every day. I eat copious amounts of leafy greens and eat them every day. I opt for as much variety as possible in veggies and legumes, rotating through several options and trying not to use just one or two all the time.
@letsgo2themall @Bipta I don't know you and I won't claim to know your exact experience and circumstance. All I will say is that it's easier than ever to be an unhealthy vegan because there is so much processed unhealthy vegan crap in stores nowadays.
I'm WFPB vegan (whole foods plant based) and have never been better. FWIW, I was vegetarian before going vegan and never ate animal flesh as part of my diet. Dairy *was* part of my diet before I went vegan.
@ddnomad @BuddyTheBeefalo Vitamin D is the other one, but that's true for *everyone* (it's why both dairy and plant-based milks are fortified with D3) and there are, again, supplements if necessary (this one is necessary for pretty much everyone not living near the equator).
Otherwise, nutritionally, a WFPB diet is pretty much the most balanced and nutritious (esp for long-term health) diet one can have.