What was the last thing you ate today? I’m assuming it had meat in it, maybe dairy, or egg.
Do you ever consider the consequences of the food you are eating, both for yourself and for the environment?
After considering these consequences myself, I began to follow a vegan lifestyle ten years ago. This experience has provided huge benefits to me, and I feel more educated than ever about what I consume and how it effects the environment.
A vegan lifestyle consists of a diet free of meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, and other animal byproducts, as well as not using materials such as leather and wool which come from animals.
Over the past ten years, I have gained a lot of information on this topic from nutritionists, books, scientific studies, investigations, and volunteer work. Today I am going to share this information with you so you will be aware of the harms of consuming animal products, and the benefits that a vegan lifestyle can have on you and the environment.
It is my hope that this information will motivate you to give veganism a chance, whether it be through a permanent lifestyle adjustment, or simple experimentation with temporary vegan “challenges”.
People choose to be vegan for a variety of reasons including helping the animals, others because it benefits their health or because it is more sustainable for the environment.
Eating an animal-based diet supports the torture of innocent animals on factory farms where they live and die in the most inhumane way.
Animals are kept in overcrowded spaces so confined that they are unable to move. Because of this, many of them are covered in their own excrement, and may even be closely surrounded by other dead animals.
They are usually provided no access to the outdoors. Even the term “free range” is meaningless, as the USDA’s only requirement is that the animals have the opportunity to access the outdoors. This could mean an overcrowded shed with a tiny window.
Most animals are pumped full of vaccines, antibiotics, and steroids, to the point where their immune systems are overwhelmed and they are physically unable to support themselves. Many are unable to support their own weight, and will collapse and slowly die. This is done to produce more meat, and to make the meat safe for human consumption because of the gross conditions the animals live in.
On the way to the slaughterhouse, animals are closely confined in extreme temperatures without food and water. Many are dead upon arrival.
At the slaughterhouse, many animals are fully conscious when they are slowly butchered. Can you imagine the pain they experience?
Veganism is also appealing because it provides many health benefits. These numerous benefits can be attributed to the high concentration of vitamins and other nutrients in the whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes that vegans consume in high quantities.
Following a vegan diet can help people maintain a healthy weight. Vegans have the lowest obesity rates compared to both vegetarians and omnivores.
Vegans also have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Vegans have a longer life expectancy than those who consume meat.
Concern often arises over vegans having proper levels of certain nutrients such as calcium and Vitamin B-12. These can be easily supplemented through consuming a multivitamin. Many alternative milks such as soy and almond are also fortified with calcium, and usually contain higher amounts than dairy milk.
Meat eaters consume more products associated with health problems and thus higher mortality. Red meat has been associated with a 13% increased mortality risk, and it is suggested that nuts provide a healthier protein source.
Factory farming required to support meat-based diets causes tremendous harm to the environment. Simply switching to plant-based crops would easily feed the world population with surplus, as well as reduce carbon impact and energy consumption.
Personally, I want our future generations to be able to survive here on Earth. Don’t you want your family to live happily and healthily for years to come? Considering our current environmental conditions, veganism has the potential to completely reverse the state of our world and make that possible.
🌱 Each person who switches to a vegan diet reduces carbon emissions by 1.5 tons per year.
🌱 Around half of all water used in the United States is for raising animals for food. It takes over 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, but only 25 gallons of water to produce one pound of wheat.
🌱 Hundreds of millions of acres of forests continue to be destroyed to create cropland enough cropland just to feed farm animals. It takes 16 pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat.
🌱 Raising animals for food alone takes up 30% of the Earth’s land mass.
🌱 Because these animals take so many of our resources, it lowers our global food supply. Regaining these resources would provide food to underdeveloped nations where starvation is prominent.
When the topic of veganism comes up, I often hear people respond by saying, “I don’t know how you do that. I like (insert animal product here) too much to stop eating it.” Or, “Vegan food is so expensive and hard to find, I wouldn’t be able to find it, let alone afford it.”
Veganism can easily fit into your current lifestyle.
Vegan food is delicious and easily accessible.
Vegan food is available at all grocery stores. It is available in abundance at health food stores, but there are still many options for vegans at places such as Safeway and Giant. Fruits and vegetables are available everywhere.
Some of your favorite foods are vegan, and you don’t even know it! I personally love Oreos, Pillsbury crescent rolls, and the purple Doritos. There are vegan versions available of practically any animal food, and they always taste the same, if not better.
Many of these alternatives commonly fool meat eaters and they are mistaken for the real thing! There is vegan milk, cheese, pizza, ice cream, chicken, steak, and anything else you can imagine! For example, this morning I ate scrambled eggs, bacon, and a bagel with cream cheese, and it was all vegan.
Cooking can either be extremely simple, or even more creative. There are microwave meals to provide you with something quick to eat, but vegan cookbooks can guide also guide you through interesting new recipes.
Even when eating out, practically all restaurants have vegan options available. For example, chipotle offers now offers tofu as a topping on their burritos.
A plant-based diet is not more expensive than a meat-based diet. A steak can cost over $20, but cans of vegetables, along with pieces of fruit, are often under $1.
In our society, we specifically associate meat with masculinity, and because of this men often think they need meat to be strong and healthy.
🌱 Plants and nuts are often better sources of nutrients than meat.
🌱 Many athletes and bodybuilders thrive on a vegan diet.
🌱 Vegan protein powders and shakes exist to aid in building muscle.
🌱 In a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, it was shown that vegan men have testosterone levels 13% higher than those of meat-eaters.
Veganism is not just for females. It is not considered too feminine to pursue this lifestyle. In my opinion as a female, it is more masculine to be brave and try something new. It is also more masculine to pursue a better life for yourself, others, and future generations.
Veganism can provide many benefits to your health, as well as to the wellbeing of animals and the environment.
Overall, it provides the most sustainability for our future. Veganism is easier than it sounds, and is easily accessible to everyone.
Anyone can make this a part of their lifestyle. If you are hesitant to make a full commitment, I suggest you take the first step by participating in Meatless Mondays. How hard could it be to not eat meat one day a week? Most people who do this don’t even realize it.
Take it one step further by taking the vegan challenge for a full month. I guarantee it’s not as much of a challenge as it sounds.
Why choose to harm yourself, animals, and the environment if you don’t have to? Choose to have a better world, and better future, and a better you. Give veganism a chance!
