Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates

#423 Melody Schoenfeld - Vegan Myth Busting

Dec 9, 2025

Melody Schoenfeld, an author and nutrition coach with a Master's in Health Psychology, joins the discussion to dismantle common vegan myths. She argues against the idea that vegans can't be healthy, explaining essential nutrients like B12 and omega-3s from algae. Melody also addresses the misconceptions about protein quality and the role of soy. She highlights the socioeconomic factors impacting dietary choices and the mental health benefits of plant-based eating. Tune in to discover how a balanced vegan diet can thrive!

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INSIGHT

Replace Nutrients When Cutting Food Groups

Cutting out a major food group requires deliberately replacing the nutrients it provided.
Melody Schoenfeld warns vegans often need supplements like B12 to replicate missing nutrients.

ADVICE

Supplement Algal DHA/EPA

Supplement DHA/EPA on vegan diets using algae-based products if you don't eat fish.
Talk to your doctor about dose, and consider concentrated liquid algal DHA for higher intake.

INSIGHT

Plant Iron Needs Context For Absorption

Plant iron is less bioavailable than animal iron and absorption depends on context.
Pair iron-rich plants with vitamin C and monitor intake to reduce anemia risk.

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Melody Schoenfeld is an author, gym owner, nutrition coach, and holds a Master's in Health Psychology. She brings deep expertise, a sharp nonsense detector, and evidence-based nuance to one of the most polarizing topics in nutrition - vegan diets.

In this episode, Melody and Andrew dive into the most persistent vegan myths, bad-faith arguments, and common misunderstandings from both sides of the vegan vs. non-vegan debate.

Melody shares insight on:
• Dispelling the myth - "There’s no such thing as a healthy vegan"
• The most common arguments claiming vegan diets aren’t healthy
• The problem with vegan dogma motives and navigating bad faith actors
• Dispelling the myth - "You can get everything you need from food alone on a vegan diet"
• What supplementation vegans actually need (and why)
• Whether vegans struggle to get enough iron and calcium
• Dispelling the myth - "All proteins are created equal"
• The truth about needing a "complete protein profile" in each meal
• The real story behind soy protein and soy fear-mongering
• Whether veganism is more expensive than omnivorous eating
• The benefits of moving more plant-based even if you don’t go fully vegan
• When vegan diets become too restrictive
• And much more

IG: @5ftoffury1

CHAPTERS

00:16 Catching Up with Melody Schoenfeld
01:50 Debunking Vegan Myths
03:20 Nutritional Considerations for Vegans
09:57 Challenges and Misconceptions of Veganism
16:46 Mental Health and Veganism
22:54 Athletic Performance on a Vegan Diet
25:57 Navigating Vegan Nutrition - Learning What Your Body Needs
26:31 Calcium and Bone Health for Vegans
27:44 Understanding Vegan Protein Sources
32:14 Debunking Soy Myths and Exploring Protein Options
35:43 The Cost and Convenience of Vegan Nutrition
37:30 Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet
42:58 Challenges and Misconceptions of Vegan Diets
45:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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