If you’ve been following the news recently, you might think veganism is on the way out. Headlines claim people are “giving it up,” that it’s too expensive, too processed, or just too hard to maintain. You may have noticed vegan restaurants closing, supermarkets reducing their plant-based ranges, and high-profile celebrities returning to meat. But it’s not all doom and gloom – in reality, the story is far more nuanced than the media would have you believe.
So why do we keep reading this narrative? Well, animal agriculture receives significant government support in many countries, including the UK, through subsidies and farming incentives. Industry groups invest heavily in marketing and lobbying to protect this. Against that backdrop, it’s no surprise that veganism is often framed as impractical or extreme.
Let’s take a closer look at five of the most persistent myths.
Some vegan products, like plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, can cost more than their animal-based counterparts — but the real question is: why are meat, dairy, and eggs so cheap in the first place? Thanks to subsidies and large-scale industrial farming, animal products don’t exactly reflect their true cost.
In reality, a trolley full of beans, tofu, pasta, rice, oats, seasonal vegetables, and fruit is often cheaper than one stacked with meat, cheese, and ready meals. Research consistently shows that diets based on whole plant foods — with a few meat alternatives added in — are often more affordable than meat-centric diets.
This one’s easy to debunk. A balanced vegan diet can be based almost entirely on minimally processed foods: grains, pulses, vegetables, nuts, and seeds – and yes, you can still get enough protein *yawn*.
Sure, plant-based meat alternatives are processed – but so are pork sausages, beef burgers, and cheese. Just saying. Processing alone doesn’t automatically make food unhealthy. Studies show that vegan alternatives are generally lower in saturated fat and have a much smaller environmental footprint than animal products.
Going vegan overnight can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing at first. Start small: swap a few meals a week, try plant-based versions of familiar favourites, or explore one new recipe at a time. Gradual changes can be far more sustainable than an instant overhaul — and sometimes less likely to result in hangry regrets.
Many vegan staples are grown right here in the UK – think potatoes, carrots, peas, beans, and oats. Even when some ingredients are imported, plant-based foods typically use far less land, water, and energy than animal products. “Local” doesn’t automatically mean environmentally friendly, especially when animal farming is involved.
Taste is subjective, but this myth is increasingly outdated. Vegan food now spans every cuisine: comforting curries, hearty roasts, indulgent pasta dishes, and delicious desserts. Bad food exists in every diet; vegan food is no exception, but it’s far from the rule.
The truth is more complicated than the headlines suggest. As people question long-standing food systems, industries with a lot to lose push back, loudly. Beneath the noise, interest in plant-based eating remains strong. New vegan eateries are opening, supermarkets are still launching innovative products, and more people are exploring vegan lifestyles every day.
Plant-based eating continues to be accessible, adaptable, and relevant – and for many, it’s still a practical, compassionate, and tasty way to live. The myths may be loud, but the reality is healthier, kinder, and far more resilient than the headlines would have you believe.
