Plant-based diet myths…….I’ll just come right out with it: I used to think “plant-based” meant eating sad salads and pretending tofu tastes like chicken. I had this mental image of my future self living on green smoothies, looking bored and vaguely hungry, and apologizing to my family for making lentils again. (Spoiler: that’s not how it turned out.)
Fast forward to me, in Queens, standing in line at the Key Food on 63rd Drive, holding a bag of tempeh like it’s a mystery artifact. The guy behind me muttered, “What even is that?” I shrugged because honestly, at the time, I didn’t know either.
That was the beginning of my messy, hilarious journey into the plant-based diet world. And wow, the myths I believed were wild. Some of them I still hear from my friends when they see me eating chickpea pasta (“You’re gonna fade away!”). So if you’re curious but also side-eyeing this whole thing like I once did, let me bust some of the biggest myths — straight from my kitchen disasters and small victories.
Myth #1: You’ll Be Hungry All. The. Time.
This was my number-one fear. I pictured myself gnawing on celery like a cartoon rabbit. And yeah, the first week I messed it up — because I was eating like a bird. (You can’t survive on side salads, people!)
Once I figured out how to build real meals — grains, beans, nuts, tofu, veggies, all together — it clicked. Plant-based doesn’t mean tiny portions. It means nutrient-dense food that actually fills you up.
One random night I made black bean tacos with avocado slaw and roasted sweet potatoes on the side. My husband (who still thinks pizza is a food group) ate three and said, “This is… good?” with that surprised face. We were stuffed.
Myth #2: It’s Super Expensive
People always say this like they’ve done the math. “You must spend so much on all that weird vegan stuff.” Honestly? My grocery bill went down once I stopped buying meat and cheese every week. Beans and lentils are cheap. Veggies (especially seasonal ones) are cheap. Rice, oats, peanut butter? Cheap.
The only time it gets pricey is when you buy those fancy plant-based meat substitutes every day (I’m looking at you, $7 oat milk ice cream). I treat those like special occasions. The rest of the time it’s just normal food.
Also, pro tip from a Queens local: the small neighborhood produce markets are gold. My favorite one under the M train sells a giant bunch of fresh herbs for $1. Try finding that deal at Whole Foods.
Myth #3: You Won’t Get Enough Protein
Ah yes, the “but where do you get your protein?” question. I’ve been asked this at barbecues, weddings, and once — no joke — while waiting for the R train. (Some stranger saw my tofu stir-fry in a Tupperware and just had to know.)
Here’s the deal: beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, seitan, edamame, quinoa, nuts — they’re all loaded. You don’t have to track every gram to not shrivel up.
Do I sometimes get weird looks when I pile hummus on toast instead of cream cheese? Sure. Do I care? Not really. My energy’s actually better now than it was when I was eating turkey sandwiches every day.
Myth #4: It’s Boring (Because Who Wants Salad Every Day?)
Listen. If I had to eat plain lettuce for lunch, I’d quit too. But plant-based food is actually way more creative than what I ate before. Thai curries, Ethiopian lentils, pasta with cashew cream sauce, roasted veggie bowls, giant smoothies with peanut butter and bananas — it’s not boring.
One of my proudest moments was recreating my grandma’s meatloaf but with lentils. My family was skeptical. My son literally poked it with a fork like, “What is this?” But then he ate it. And he asked for seconds. That was a big win.
Myth #5: You’ll Miss Cheese Too Much to Stick With It
Cheese was my Achilles heel. I grew up on New York bagels with cream cheese. Pizza slices bigger than my head. Cheese sticks in my lunchbox. The works.
And yeah, at first I missed it. But here’s the wild part: after a few weeks, my cravings chilled. I started loving creamy cashew sauces, hummus, and tahini. Now when I do have “real” cheese, it’s like, fine, but it doesn’t hit the way it used to.
Also, there are some decent plant-based cheeses now — not all of them, but some. (Avoid the ones that smell like feet. You’ll know.)
Myth #6: You Have to Go All or Nothing
This one drives me nuts. People think if you’re not 100% vegan, it “doesn’t count.” Please. You’re allowed to start slow. Meatless Mondays. Swapping dairy milk for oat milk. Trying a plant-based dinner once a week.
I started by just cutting out meat at lunch. Then dairy. Then experimenting with dinner. It’s been two years now and I still eat seafood occasionally when I travel. And guess what? Nobody’s kicking me out of the plant-based club.
But What About the Social Stuff plant-based cooking myths
This was harder than I expected. People will joke (“Want some grass?”). Some restaurants are clueless (“We have a salad… without the chicken?”).
I’ve learned to scan menus ahead of time, bring snacks to parties, and just laugh it off when my uncle makes bacon jokes at Thanksgiving. It’s not the end of the world. And honestly, more places are getting with the program. Even my local pizza joint in Rego Park has vegan cheese now.
The Benefits Nobody Talks About plant-based diet myths
Beyond the obvious (lower cholesterol, smaller grocery bill, saving some animals), the biggest change for me has been energy. Like, real energy. My afternoons don’t feel like I’m dragging my feet through molasses anymore.
Also my cooking skills exploded. Before plant-based, I could maybe make spaghetti. Now I’m out here blending tahini dressings and baking tofu like some mini influencer. (I’m not, but my Instagram looks like I am.)
And — this is random — but my kitchen smells better. There’s something about roasting garlic and sweet potatoes instead of frying chicken that just feels… homey.
If You’re Thinking of Switching… Here’s My Real Advice
- Don’t panic about protein.
- Don’t starve yourself on rabbit food.
- Explore spices. (Cumin and smoked paprika changed my life.)
- It’s okay to screw up. Order the burger. Eat the cake. Start fresh next meal.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about trying something new that could make you feel better. And if you hate it? No big deal. At least you’ll know.
(Outbound Link Idea: A funny yet informative blog on plant-based cooking mishaps, like https://thugkitchen.com/ or a NY-based vegan food guide like https://vegoutmag.com/)
My Last Ramble about plant-based diet myths
I never thought I’d be the “plant-based” person in my friend group. I still get teased. But when I think back to me, standing lost in that grocery store aisle holding a block of tempeh like it might explode — and then think of the meals I cook now — I feel kinda proud.
If you’re curious, just try it. Start with one meal. Experiment. Laugh when it goes wrong. Celebrate when it’s good. And if nothing else, you’ll end up with some great stories to tell — and maybe, like me, a pantry full of lentils and a new favorite way to eat tacos.
