Julian Michaels Thoughts On Vegan Diets

Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert and creator of the Jillian Michaels Fitness App, does not recommend a vegan diet. While she loves the power of plants, she believes that a vegan diet is not ideal from a health perspective. Michaels' main concern is that a vegan diet is steeped in extremes and can lead to nutrient deficiencies. She also points out that vegan foods can be overly processed and full of chemicals. Michaels suggests that a diet that includes plants, healthy fats, some whole grains, and organic sustainable meat in moderation is ideal. However, she respects that individuals may choose to be vegan based on food allergies, ethics, or personal preferences. To support those who opt for a vegan diet, Michaels has worked with a registered dietician and professional chef, Megan Marlow, to create a vegan meal plan for her app community.

Jillian Michaels does not recommend a vegan diet

Celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels has publicly stated that she does not recommend a vegan diet. While she acknowledges that veganism is better for the environment and loves the power of plants, she believes that, from a health perspective, it is not ideal. Michaels' stance is that any extreme diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

In an exclusive interview with The List, Michaels explained that many people who adopt a vegan diet end up consuming a lot of processed grains and soy, which she believes are unhealthy. She also pointed out that non-fermented soy products are bad for the thyroid and that it can be challenging to obtain sufficient iron and omega-3 fats from plant-based sources. This can lead to health issues such as anaemia and impaired immunity.

Michaels also noted that vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk for vegans and that collagen, which supports hair, skin, and nails, is derived from animal sources. She suggested that a diet including plants, healthy fats, whole grains, and organic, sustainably sourced meat in moderation is ideal. While respecting individual choices, she recommended mindful eating for vegans, paying attention to potential nutrient deficiencies and incorporating foods that provide these nutrients.

Vegan diets can be unhealthy for women

Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert and creator of the Jillian Michaels Fitness App, has expressed her disapproval of vegan diets. While she loves the power of plants, she does not recommend going vegan. Michaels' position is that "any type of diet steeped in extremes inherently creates potential for nutrient deficiency."

Iron Deficiency

According to Michaels, vegan diets may be especially unhealthy for women. She explains that menstruation is a good reason to reconsider going vegan: "Being vegan has greater risk for women over men because we bleed every month and lose iron." While spinach and other vegetables do contain iron, this "non-heme" iron "simply isn't the same as iron found in animal protein," which is called "heme." Non-heme iron is not as easily absorbed by the body.

If the body isn't getting adequate iron, one could become anemic, which may be a particular problem for female vegans. Iron is essential for the normal production and function of various cells and hormones.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Iron isn't the only nutrient that needs to be sourced from animals, according to Michaels. Both women and men need to get healthy omega 3 fats, EPA and DHA, for optimal heart and brain health. The richest source of omega 3 fats is going to be cold-water fish. Michaels notes that vegans also run the risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Other Health Concerns

Michaels also claims that avoiding all animal byproducts may do a number on your looks. Collagen, which supports hair, skin, and nails, comes from animals. Michaels says that vegans need to watch out for vitamin deficiencies and should still eat lots of vegetables.

Vegan foods can be overly processed

Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels has expressed her disapproval of the vegan diet, citing the potential for nutrient deficiencies and the presence of overly processed vegan foods. While Michaels acknowledges the benefits of a plant-based diet, she cautions against the potential health risks associated with veganism.

One of her main concerns is the highly processed nature of many vegan food products. Vegan diets often rely heavily on meat and dairy substitutions, which can be highly processed and full of chemicals. These substitutes, such as "no-chicken chicken nuggets" or vegan deli meat, are often high in sodium, artificial ingredients, preservatives, and processed oils.

For example, let's examine the ingredients of a popular vegan cheese product, Bio Cheese:

> "Water, coconut oil (non-hydrogenated), modified starch (E1404, E1450), starch, sea salt, vegan flavours, acidity regulator, citric acid (E330), preservative: sorbic acid (E200) (0.2%). Colour B-Carotene."

The ingredient list includes modified starch, multiple types of additives (e.g., E1404, E1450), and the ambiguous "vegan flavours." These types of ingredients are indicative of highly processed foods, which Michaels cautions against.

In contrast, here is an example of a sharp vegan cheddar cheese alternative recommended by Maggie Michalczyk, a registered dietician:

> "Additive-free and [it] looks pretty amazing! If you do want a better store-bought one, here are a few options 1, 2 and 3."

This alternative is described as being free of additives, suggesting that it is a less processed option compared to the previous example.

Michaels also highlights the issue of soy-based products, which are commonly used in vegan diets. She notes that most soy is genetically modified and heavily treated with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. While some soy-based products like miso are healthy due to fermentation, non-fermented soy can be detrimental to thyroid health.

It's important to recognize that not all vegan foods are overly processed. Michaels emphasizes the importance of a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. However, she encourages individuals to be mindful of the potential pitfalls of a vegan diet and to incorporate ethically sourced meat in moderation.

In conclusion, while veganism has gained traction as a popular dietary choice, it is important to be aware of the potential for overly processed foods within this lifestyle. As Michaels advises, mindful eating is critical to ensure adequate nutrition and avoid the potential health risks associated with highly processed vegan food options.

Vegans need to be mindful of vitamin deficiencies

Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels has expressed her disapproval of the vegan diet. Although she loves the power of plants, Michaels does not recommend veganism because "any type of diet steeped in extremes inherently creates potential for nutrient deficiency."

One of her main concerns is that vegans may not be getting enough iron. While vegetables like spinach do contain iron, Michaels points out that this "non-heme" iron is not as easily absorbed by the body as the "heme" iron found in animal protein. This can lead to anaemia, which can cause fatigue and impaired immunity.

Vegans also need to be mindful of getting enough omega 3 fats, EPA and DHA, which are crucial for heart and brain health. The richest source of these fats is cold-water fish. Michaels refutes the idea that plant-based foods supply sufficient omega 3s, and she also warns that vegans are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

To avoid these deficiencies, vegans should be mindful of including the following foods in their diet:

• For protein: hemp, pea, vegan, or brown rice protein shakes; tempeh; seitan; lentils; black beans; kidney beans; chickpeas; quinoa; almonds; spinach; broccoli.
• For iron: spirulina; pumpkin seeds; quinoa; blackstrap molasses; tomato paste; white beans; cooked spinach; lentils.
• For B-12: foods fortified with B-12, such as whole grain cereals and plant milks; meat substitute products like veggie burgers.
• For calcium: dark, green leafy vegetables; almonds; amaranth; artichoke; blackberries; broccoli; oranges; sesame seeds; tempeh.

In addition, vegans should be aware of the importance of Vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption. They should aim to get at least 15 minutes of off-peak sun on their bare skin daily, as Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when exposed to UVB rays.

Michaels recommends a mostly plant-based diet

Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert, has expressed her thoughts on the vegan diet and how she doesn't recommend it from a health perspective. However, she does recommend a mostly plant-based diet, emphasising that "a plant-based diet is best". Here are some key points from her perspective:

The Benefits of Plants

Michaels acknowledges the power of plants and advocates for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. She believes that a plant-based diet is ideal for health and nutrition. This approach aligns with her philosophy of eating whole, real foods and avoiding processed or artificial ones. Michaels follows the 80/20 rule, ensuring that 80% of her diet consists of whole, natural, and organic foods.

Concerns About Vegan Diet Extremes

Michaels' main concern with the vegan diet is the potential for nutrient deficiency due to its restrictive nature. She explains that any diet steeped in extremes can lead to inadequate nutrient intake. For example, she highlights the risk of vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies in a vegan diet. She also points out that vegan food options can be overly processed and filled with chemicals, which aligns with her general advice to avoid processed and artificial foods.

The Role of Meat and Animal Products

While Michaels doesn't recommend a fully vegan diet, she does suggest including some animal products in moderation. She recommends organic, ethically sourced meat, such as grass-fed, grass-finished red meat, wild salmon, and organic turkey. She also suggests incorporating eggs a couple of times a week from humane and organic sources. Michaels emphasises the importance of mindful eating, ensuring adequate protein, iron, B-12, and calcium intake, which can be more challenging on a vegan diet.

Personalised Approach

Michaels respects individual choices and acknowledges that people may opt for a vegan or vegetarian diet due to various reasons, such as food allergies, ethics, or personal preferences. She has worked with a registered dietician and professional chef, Megan Marlow, to create a vegan meal plan for her fitness app community. This plan addresses the potential pitfalls of a vegan diet and ensures mindful eating to avoid nutrient deficiencies.

In conclusion, while Jillian Michaels doesn't recommend a strict vegan diet due to potential health concerns, she strongly advocates for a mostly plant-based diet with some inclusion of animal products. She emphasises the importance of whole, natural, and organic foods, regardless of dietary preferences.

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