The top 5 stereotypes about vegans: Are they true?

I wrote the below article this week for my examiner.com column, but wanted to post it here too since I thought it was important.  Enjoy!

When you hear the word “vegan”, what do you think?  Do you automatically think you know something about that person?  Do you categorize that person in your mind?  Are your associations positive or negative?  There are many stereotypes out there about vegans, but, as with most groups of people, it’s very difficult to categorize and often your assumptions are far from the truth.  Here are the top five stereotypes and the truth about each.

1. Vegans are all skinny.  I, for one, fervently wish this were true, but unfortunately taking animal products out of your diet doesn’t automatically make you drop weight.  There are many “junk food vegans” out there who love their processed foods and sweet treats.  Oreos and potato chips are vegan.  And while I certainly wouldn’t recommend eating these items exclusively, it can be difficult to turn down all the yummy vegan goodies like cupcake recipes all over the web.  Whole Foods in north Scottsdale carries Fabe’s Bakery mini double chocolate chip cookies that are vegan and don’t even contain sugar.  Need I say more?
2. Vegan diets are based on deprivation.  Vegans don’t eat animal products, but that doesn’t mean that a plant-based diet is about exclusion.  New vegans often discover foods that they had never tried or maybe never even heard about in the past, and these foods become new favorites.  American diets are very much focused around meat and dairy, with plant-based foods considered secondary or “sides”.  When these foods become the centerpiece, however, there’s a lot more energy put into making them unique and delicious.  My vegan mac and cheese (based on the VegNews recipe) has become a favorite among vegans and omnivores alike.
3. Vegans are difficult to please and demanding.  It’s true that vegans often need to ask for slight dietary changes at most restaurants, but savvy vegans know that friendliness and appreciation go a long way toward changing this stereotype.  In fact, many vegans offer to bring homemade dishes to dinner parties so that the host doesn’t need to do anything.  Restaurants increasingly have plant-based options which makes it even easier for vegans to dine out.  If you’re still not convinced, attend one of the next VEG Phoenix meet-up events and judge for yourself.  Omnivores are always welcome.
4. All vegans are animal activists.  This is a controversial topic among vegans.  While some believe that you can’t be a “true” vegan unless you are motivated by the welfare of agricultural animals, an increasing number of vegans have adopted a plant-based diet for dietary benefits or environmental reasons.  In fact, a large number of vegans don’t like the word “vegan” and don’t refer to themselves this way at all.  It’s true, however, that a great many vegans are committed to animal welfare issues and seek to end cruel factory farming practices. 
5. Vegans don’t get enough energy and can’t be hard-core athletes.  Tell this to Carl Lewis, the Olympic sprinter and long-jumper.  Or Ruth Heidrich, a 6-time Ironman Triathlon finisher who has won more than 900 medals and is now in her 70s.  And there are countless athletes from various sports around the world who achieve greatness on a vegan diet.  The fact is that a plant-based diet provides all nutrients needed to succeed at any level of fitness.

Vegans are as diverse as the plant-based ingredients they consume every day.  Ask vegan friends and family about their experiences.  You may be surprised by their answers.