Having been raised omnivore, I had become used to grocery shopping with out wondering what animal byproduct was hiding in each taste treat. I also wasn't too keen on giving up my right to animal flesh and its many friends. But out of respect for Wendy's lifestyle and out of laziness, as she would be doing the cooking, I gave in to the idea of a vegan refrigerator. I was not completely aware as to how we were going maintain the variety of vitamins and nutrients such as protein, calcium, iron, zinc, as well as the many others needed to meet basic nutrition standards suggested by the World Health Organization, but I quickly learned (World Health Organization). .
Most Americans, including myself, are omnivores. I eat a collection of fruits, vegetables, meats and grains to receive my nutrients. I felt that in order to have a complete diet, you must include meat as a source of protein. It is also the most readily available source in this country. Vegans differ from omnivores, as well as the long list of their vegetarian brethren, by removing all meat, eggs, dairy, honey or animal byproducts. Because they don't consume meat or eggs, it is hard for many to believe that they are receiving adequate amounts of protein. What many fail to remember is that animal protein is not the only source of protein available. Also, there is no evidence suggesting that humans even require animal protein. (Davis 49) Many legumes, nuts and vegetables contain high amounts of this much needed nutrient. (Stepaniak 210).
Another misconception is that milk is the only source of calcium, when in fact most green vegetables contain high amounts of calcium. According to The Vegan Source Book, the amount of protein taken in effects not only the amount of calcium needed, but also the amount that the body actually absorbs. The more protein in your diet the more calcium you will need, but the less calcium will actually be absorbed (Stepaniak.