Healthy living has become a new fad for people to brag about.

In the past couple of years, veganism and vegetarianism have become extremely common. Obviously, everyone thinks those choices automatically qualify as a healthy living style, but that isn’t always the case.

People see “vegan” or “vegetarian” options and think they are doing themselves a favor that day by opting out of their usual meal. However, if they are overeating or they eat a vegan option of a junk food, it is still junk food, and it is still unhealthy.

Just because it is a vegan version of ice cream or cheese curls does not mean it is 100 percent healthy. Ice cream and cheese curls are already junk food. Vegan is better in some ways, but it is not always healthier.

For instance, Fritos corn chips are vegan, but have 170 mg of sodium and 160 calories. Hippeas brand vegan white cheddar puffs, meanwhile, have 140 mg of sodium and 130 calories.

Meanwhile, a new vegan who lacks experience in putting together a nutritious eating plan can lack a sustaining and nutritious diet, which can lead to anemia and fatigue. Some inexperienced vegetarians even gain weight by consuming too many carbs like pasta, bagels, or french fries.

There are definitely benefits to eating a plant-based diet, and a well designed vegan or vegetarian diet can have positive impacts on weight and cholesterol.

If people just decide to become vegetarian or vegan because it seems interesting and fun, they should know that it isn’t automatically going to be that exciting healthy lifestyle it appears to be in the media.