Being vegan can get a pretty bad rap. Since I became a vegan last year, I have been under a lot of scrutiny from my meat-loving friends about my new plant-based diet. Most people don't understand why I go through the effort to cook most of my meals, call restaurants ahead of time to check for vegan options, and bring my own snacks to parties. While that can be a bit of extra work, becoming a vegan has completely changed my life for the better. I haven't gotten sick once since I started eating plant-based and I have more energy than ever before. And while it may be "trendy" to be health conscious and vegan, it is actually a more ethical, sustainable, and healthy way to live. So, I'd like to take a moment to clear up all the misconceptions about veganism and bust 8 myths about being vegan that I hear on a regular basis.

1. Vegan diets are unhealthy.

A plant based diet is actually much healthier than most. A plant based diet consists of veggies, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats (avocados and nuts), and plant proteins (tofu and beans). Also, according to PETA, “The American Dietetic Association (ADA) states that vegetarians and vegans enjoy lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, lower rates of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, lower body mass indexes, a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease, and lower overall cancer rates."

2. Vegan diets are not filling.

Vegan diets are both nutritious and filling. If you’re still hungry after experimenting with a vegan diet try eating foods with fiber and healthy fats to keep you full (like broccoli, avocados, fruits, and almond butter). Also, remember it takes 30 days for your body to adjust to a new diet so don’t get discouraged if you are just starting out.

3. Vegan meals are boring.

There are actually endless options when it comes to vegan meals. Vegans still indulge in classic comfort foods like vegan versions of burgers, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese. You can literally recreate almost any meal you love that’s not vegan, you’ll just wind up with a much healthier and sustainable meal. My go to meal right now is a delicious stir-fry dish with brown rice, veggies, tofu, and soy sauce.

4. You need dairy milk for calcium.

There are many vegan options out there that won’t leave you feeling or looking bloated like dairy products. For example Silk Original Soy Milk has 50 percent more calcium than dairy milk. Additionally, cashew, rice, and almond milk all contain large percentage of calcium.

5.You need to eat meat to be healthy.

Wrong. According to PETA, “The consumption of animal products has been conclusively linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Cholesterol (found only in animal products) and animal fat clog arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes. The rate of many cancers—including colon, breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian, prostate, and lung—is highest in regions where meat consumption is high.”

6. Vegan diets leave you weak because they lack protein.

Actually almost every single food contains protein. Tofu and vegan “fake” meats can contain 20g of protein per serving. In addition, protein powders such as rice and hemp can contain 20g too. Other healthy options for protein include quinoa, chickpeas, black beans, tempeh, chia seeds, and edamame, just to name a few. Furthermore, if vegans are so weak than how do you explain the incredible bodies of vegan body builders like Billy Simmonds and Amanda Riester?

7. Eating vegan is expensive.

Ironically, meat is one of the most expensive grocery stores items you can buy. Healthy “fake” meat brands such as Gardein and Beyond Chicken, (both made with Non GMO ingredients and contain around the same amount of protein as actual meat) are inexpensive and easy to prepare. If fresh fruits and veggies are becoming too costly, buy them from the frozen aisle for less.

8. Being vegan is too hard.

It's not hard, it’s a transition. However, there are steps you can take to make it easier. Keep vegan snacks on you when you’re out running errands or hanging out with friends incase you don’t pass any vegan options while you are out. Try buying a blender to make yummy smoothies and protein shakes (also a great way to disguise the taste of green veggies), and a vegan cookbook with easy meals you can prepare. The key to being a successful vegan is remembering why you are, and planning ahead of time to ensure you will have nutritional meals throughout the day. Lastly, don’t beat yourself up if you slip up and have a slice of pizza. Again, it’s a transition.