Category: Dietary challenges

The average human stomach can only hold about half a gallon of fluid at one time, making the prospect of consuming an entire gallon of milk in a short period a significant and often unpleasant challenge. This act, popularized by viral trends, can have immediate and serious consequences.

According to a study reported by Nourish You, an overwhelming 84% of vegans and vegetarians eventually abandon their diets, often due to perceived impracticality. Many face a multitude of difficulties that can make maintaining a strictly plant-based lifestyle feel unsustainable over the long term, from nutritional complexities to social hurdles.

According to research from the American Gut Project, individuals who consumed 30 or more different plant-based foods per week had a significantly more diverse gut microbiome than those eating fewer than 10. This discovery is the basis for the popular 30 plants a week challenge, which focuses on dietary variety for better health.

According to a 2024 study published in *The Psychosocial Aspects of Vegetarian Diets*, almost half of long-term vegetarians report experiencing dietary restrictions in daily life. The challenges of a vegetarian diet can range from nutritional planning to navigating social pressures, but all are manageable with awareness and preparation.

According to a systematic review of 141 studies, nutrient inadequacies across all dietary patterns exist, including plant-based diets, with a potential for lower levels of B12 and iron. If you're wondering, 'Why am I so tired on a whole food plant-based diet?', it's important to know that while the diet offers many benefits, it also requires careful planning to maintain energy levels.

According to research by Faunalytics, a significant number of individuals who attempt vegetarian or vegan diets abandon them within the first year, often citing health issues as the primary motivation. This highlights the complex, multi-faceted reasons behind the question of **why do people quit the vegan diet**, extending beyond just food to include social and psychological factors.

According to a 2017 study cited by the BBC, nearly half of UK 16-24 year olds believe they have a dairy intolerance, often without an official diagnosis. As more people adopt plant-based lifestyles or eliminate dairy for perceived health reasons, understanding the potential disadvantages of a dairy-free diet is crucial for maintaining nutritional balance.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, while a vegan diet can decrease the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, it also carries the potential for specific micro and macronutrient deficits. Understanding if there is a downside to being vegan requires a balanced view of both the nutritional risks and benefits.