Why Plant-Based Doesn’t Always Mean Healthy
Anonymous Vegan Today, I want to talk about something that grinds my gears every time I see it. You know when you’re at the grocery store, and there’s a bright, shiny label on some snack or frozen dinner that says “Plant-Based”? And everyone’s like, “Oh, it’s plant-based! That means it’s healthy!” Yeah, no. No, it doesn’t.
Look, just because something is plant-based doesn’t automatically make it good for you. I don’t care if it’s got a little green leaf on the package or some influencer on Instagram is raving about it. Here’s the thing: Oreos? Technically plant-based. French fries? Also plant-based. You see where I’m going with this?
A lot of these so-called “plant-based” foods are ultra-processed garbage. Like, let’s take a look at those vegan chicken nuggets. Sure, they’re not made from animals. Great. But they’re loaded with refined oils, starches, artificial flavors—stuff that isn’t doing your body any favors. You’re basically eating a chemistry experiment. But because it says “plant-based,” people assume it’s a free pass to eat the whole box. It’s like, no! It’s still junk food.
And I get it, you’re thinking, “But it’s better for the planet!” And yeah, that’s probably true. Producing a nugget made out of soy is better for the environment than producing one made out of a chicken. I’m not arguing with that. But let’s not confuse environmental benefits with personal health benefits, because they are not the same thing.
Then there’s the issue of these plant-based meat replacements being absolutely packed with sodium. Some of these burgers have more salt than a fast-food cheeseburger. If you’re eating this stuff every day, you’re setting yourself up for high blood pressure and all the fun that comes with it. But hey, at least it’s vegan, right?
And don’t even get me started on sugar. Plant-based desserts are a goldmine of hidden sugar. All these oat milk ice creams and vegan cookies? Sugar bombs. But because they don’t have eggs or dairy, they’re marketed as “healthier.” Let me tell you, your pancreas doesn’t care if the sugar came from cane or coconut or dates—it’s all the same in the end.
Now, let’s be fair. There are plant-based foods that are genuinely good for you. Whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds—that’s the stuff that should make up the bulk of a plant-based diet. But those things don’t come in shiny packages with “plant-based” plastered all over them. They’re not exciting or trendy, and no one’s getting rich off you buying a bag of lentils.
What bothers me the most is how companies exploit the term “plant-based” to make a quick buck. They know people are trying to eat healthier, so they slap the label on anything remotely vegan and charge twice as much. And people fall for it, because we’re conditioned to think plant-based equals healthy. It’s a marketing scam, plain and simple.
So, here’s my advice: if you’re eating plant-based for health reasons, stick to actual plants. The ones that grow out of the ground. If it comes in a box, a bag, or a wrapper, read the ingredients. If it looks more like a science experiment than food, maybe think twice. Don’t let the label fool you.