Why are alot of vegens kind of pale?

Question

Not trying to offend anyone, but i notice alot of vegans are more fair skinned. Is it the lack of protein in their diet? just curious.

Answer 1

Well, I'm black and a vegan. I'm not pale.

:-)

Before you generalize and stereotype, perhaps you should research. Most Americans (and those who ascribe to a Western diet) consume way too much protein because of all the dead animal and animal-derived foods that are eaten. There are plenty of great protein sources found in vegetables, beans and legumes. Vegans are most likely consuming the correct amount of protein for the human body and we are consuming it in the most beneficial form. (Sources that are easy to digest...sources that have very little fat, no cholesterol and a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals. Meat doesn't fit that description).

Answer 2

Isn't it strange that we associate "beautiful, glowing, youthful skin" with the raw vegans? Beautiful, even toned skin is one benefit of having a 100% vegan diet that includes a lot of raw vegetables. Milk has been the culprit for many skin disorders, including acne. I have noticed considerable improvement in my overall skin health after dropping dairy products.

Answer 3

That's just a stereotype. Like we're all pale, skinny and sickly. It's just simply not true. Plus I really don't understand where people make these judgments from or come to these conclusions. I mean how many vegans do you personally know, to have jumped to this conclusion???

Answer 4

Most vegans are pretty health conscious.  Sunlight is necessary and good, in small amounts.  Tanning is not good for the skin.  Also, do you know a lot of vegans or are the ones you personally know all one family?  If the extent of your vegan acquaintances is a single family--then genetics is likely the answer.  Vegans come in all skin tones from extremely fair skinned to very dark skinned.  Their skin tone has more to do with genetics/race and not tanning/spending excessive time in the sun than their diet.

Answer 5

A lot of vegans are very health consious. Since allowing your skin to get a lot of sun exposure is unhealthy, and can lead to skin cancer, it only makes since that these "health consious"  people would also protect their skin from dangerous sun exposer.

I do have fair skin because I either cover my skin or wear sunscreen outside, but I'm not "pale" in a sickly way.

Answer 6

Stop making up stories.  Fair skinned has nothing to do with paleness and there are plenty of protein options of vegans.

Answer 7

I'm fair skinned by nature, but no paler as a vegan than I ever have been.  *IF* someone is paler than their genes dictate, iron is often the culprit.  However, studies show that vegans are no more likely to be iron deficient than the general population.

There is NO reason to assume that vegans would lack protein.  Protein is abundant on a balanced vegan diet.

Answer 8

Gag of course everyone jumps to the conclusion that it is because of that dreaded lack of protein. I have been a vegetarian (I have yet to kick the cheese habit so I can not call myself vegan yet) for a month now and I get more protein in my diet now than I did when I was eating meat!

  I am naturally as white as a ghost so if some one was to judge all herbavores by me they would think we were all a sad pale lot ;) I think that the person who said many vegans are health concious and protect their skin hit the nail on the head.

Answer 9

how do you know its not because of genetics, or maybe because they stay inside a lot.

now when an omnivore is pale, its because he doesnt go outside enough, but when its a vegan its because of their diet.

Answer 10

possibly not enough iron/ anemia

Answer 11

Well, I'm fair-skinned by birth and I did notice that my skin became more even and better after I became a vegan, also I no longer get pimples, etc. But that doesn't mean I'm lack of protein.

I know plenty of vegans who are not as fair skinned, in fact more tanned than anyone, depending on their outdoor activities. So please don't assume every vegan is the same!

The idea that plant foods are somehow devoid of protein is nothing but a myth, triggered by the high-protein fad diets and the meat & dairy industry. You can read about it here:

http://www.vegtaste.com/main/posting.php...

Answer 12

~ I'm vegan and live in Florida.  I'm not at all pale and I'm English!!! :o)

Some health minded people are also aware of the effects of skin cancer and to much sun.  It has nothing to do with protein.  If anything you have not met enough vegans or you live up north or you are meeting the ones that also like to avoid sun exposer.

Answer 13

YES! see the last question I answered. Imbalanced amino acid profiles, lack of B vitamins, lack of balanced minerals, lack of lots of stuff. You can live well on a veg diet but it takes planning and work or very good instincts and lots of cash.

Answer 14

I am vegan and I am pale.  The reason that I am pale is because I don't get into the sun much...and when I do I where a lot of sun block and avoid standing in direct sunlight.

I am aware of the damage that the sun can do.  I don't want to get skin cancer and I don't want to look like an old leather handbag by the time I am 50.

I think the color of a person's skin depends greatly on their ethnicity and genetic background.  I have not found vegetarians or vegans to be pale or anything.  

I know your just curious and not trying to offend anyone.  There are just a lot of stereotypes that are attached to different life choices.  The pale complexion one happens to belong to us :)

It is definately just a stereotype though.

Answer 15

Some people avoid the sun.

Others on the other hand have to work in it.

I am what some would call a 'strict vegetarian' (since I am NOT tossing out my leather just because - may not buy more - but not getting rid of what I have - wasteful - and NEVER will get rid of my late husband's leather motorcycle jacket) - but I was invited to a private beach to go nude sunbathing - I am not pale - no tan lines even.

Answer 16

That's pretty silly.  One of my closest friends could blind you with her skin and she's a meat-eater.  It's just genetic background, not having to do with lifestyle.

Answer 17

I don't think thats true. Maybe you have just so happened to meet only pale vegans. A lot of people I know that aren't even vegetarians are pale. I'm vegan and quite tan because I live in Florida and go to the beach all the time.