Are lots of vegans interested in eating a healthy, balanced, diet? Of course. I am one of them, and I know many others. However, there are also vegans who aren’t interested in whole grains, partially hydrogenated oils, sugar consumption, or anything related to the healthfulness of their diet. They are simply concerned with eating a plant-based diet in an effort to lessen animal suffering.

While some people might adopt a vegan diet in pursuit of better health, its important to distinguish these individuals from those following a truly vegan lifestyle (in which people would eschew all animal products – including leather, wool, fur, animal-based cosmetics and cleaning products, etc.)

Veganism, at its core, is not about the pursuit of health. While, for example, I believe my diet to be balanced and healthful, as an individual who lifts weights, I realize that my training would greatly benefit from the addition of animal products in my diet. Further, I take extra care to obtain certain nutrients that could be more easily acquired from animal foods, like iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are all personal decisions I have made, though, with regards to my strong compassion for animals.

Clearly, you have dispelled the myth that vegan equals healthy, and I commend you for that. However, you passed up a great opportunity to further explore the meaning behind these food lists.