Does this dietary hybrid Paleo and Vegan actually work?



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Keto was so 2018. Say hello to the "pegan" diet – the latest diet trend that will clog your Instagram feed in no time.

The pegan diet is a combination of popular palaeo and vegan dietary patterns. For those who do not know: Paleo is high in protein and focuses on meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds (supposedly like cavemen). A vegan diet is entirely herbal, without any authorized animal foods. So what happens when you come across both?

The pros

The pegan diet recommends that most of your diet be made from fruits and vegetables. This is a good start because most people do not eat enough of these essential nutrients to fight diseases, contain essential micronutrients and provide fiber for a healthy gut.

It also focuses on healthy fats such as oily fish (such as salmon or tuna), nuts, seeds and avocado – this is good news for the health of your heart and brain.

In addition, you are allowed to use a mixture of plant-based proteins and animals, including small amounts of meat, fish and eggs, so this department is not too restrictive.

Another positive aspect of the pegan diet is that processed foods are limited. This does not mean that all processed foods are unhealthy, but that too many people eat so much of the "less healthy" type (such as French fries, cookies, snack bars, etc.).

The inconvenients

But not all are untreated paleo edible roses.

The pegan diet also advocates the abandonment of gluten, which is simply not necessary if you do not need medical care. In addition, it is recommended to limit cereals without gluten. So you have to say goodbye to healthy foods like wholemeal bread, quinoa and brown rice, as well as the sustainable energy they provide (hello to the 15-hour low).

Legumes are another super healthy food to limit – and it's a big problem for me. Beans, lentils and chickpeas are full of health benefits, and we would all be better off eating more.

Last but not least, you do not have the right to have dairy products in your diet, which can prevent you from getting enough calcium. This is a problem, especially if you are a woman, because most of us (three-quarters) do not have sufficient calcium intake at first.

The verdict

Yes, there are benefits to this new fad diet. But, there are also several unnecessary restrictions, which is one of my pet peeve.

In the end, I think the pegan diet is just another restrictive fad that will not work in the long run for the vast majority of people. In addition, this could result in several nutrient deficiencies. My advice? Beware of the buyer.

Read other stories like this: Why does this dietitian ask you to give up the keto diet? Plus, how to be vegan safely.

Melissa Meier is a Registered Dietitian based in Sydney. You can contact her at www.honestnutrition.com.au or on Instagram @honest_nutrition.

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