Vegans, the hardcore vegetarians who aren’t just vegetarian. The select few who will not eat any product that has ever belonged to an animal. How can they possibly be healthy? And is veganism a good idea for health?

The vegetarian option has been well on the rise for the past decade or so. There are now more options for those who eat no meat, or have to worry about gluten free diets. But is cutting out animal products altogether healthy? Our bodies rely on a few sources of nutrients such as meat for protein and milk for calcium. There is growing concern about the health issues that might come along with an all-natural diet.

However, today we are seeing more and more things infused with calcium – you can now buy orange juice that has calcium added into it. Beyond that, protein is found in many other places other than meat: for instance, soy-based products and peanut butter are both packed full of protein. Most vegans also resort to supplementation for a more accurate intake of the missing ingredients. The market stores now have vegan and vegetarian options for meat substitutes, butter substitutes, and dairy substitutes. It is no longer an all beans diet for these alternative eaters.

Part of the reason why vegans and vegetarians seem like they are more healthy is because they are among those who constantly watch what they eat and monitor their health. Vegans and vegetarians have to make sure they are getting the sustenance they require. You are also more likely to be motivated to exercise when you are keeping a healthy diet, because you are less likely to be discouraged at the task of becoming healthy. Maybe it does have a little something to do with the diet, what they do and don’t eat, but consider this: simply put it is easier to be healthy if you are paying attention to your health.