There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about what it really means to be a vegan. The veganism philosophy can extend beyond the plate (“I won’t eat anything that has a bladder or a mother”) to not wearing animal products (leather, suede, fur, wool, silk, feathers), and avoiding products with animal ingredients or testing (“cruelty-free” labels). Here, we debunk the fact from fiction.

Vegans and those who avoid animal products (even part of the day, or part of the week) often have low rates of obesity, and on average weigh 5 to 20 percent less than meat eaters. Vegetarian diets on the whole are linked to lower BMIs, reduced risk of type II diabetes and lower incidents of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables lower rates of certain cancers, especially colon cancer.

You’ll get enough protein from plants.

According to traditional dietary standards, a 140-pound woman should

have 50 grams of protein a day, and for a vegan that might come from a cup each of cooked spinach (5 grams), lentils (18 grams), and tempeh (a soy product with 41 grams). (You can find more suggestions from the Vegetarian Resource Group.)

In fact, large-scale research like The China Study have revealed that too much protein, namely animal protein,

is harmful for your health. Other research shows that excess protein in your body can strain your kidneys or cling as fat.