Hating the exploitation of animals is one reason for becoming vegan. Having emotional attachments to animals may be part of that reason, and avoiding animal products is one way to take a stand against the exploitation of animals.
Thinking about your health
Well-balanced vegan diets contain all the nutrients that our bodies need. Such diets are suitable for every stage of life. There are certain health benefits to be gained from vegan diets with regard to reducing blood pressure and cholesterol and lowering rates of heart disease, and combatting type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. Becoming vegan is an opportunity to understand more about nutrition, and improve your diet. Absorbing necessary nutrients from plant foods allows space in your diet for whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables, all of which are packed full of beneficial fibre, vitamins and minerals. There is also a huge market in vegan protein powder in Australia and elsewhere which can supplement any shortfall in your diet.
Thinking about the environment
One of the best things you can do to lower your carbon footprint is to avoid all animal products. Producing meat places a heavy burden on the environment. Producing the grain feed needed for meat production contributes significantly to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. In Brazil, massive areas of land are used to grow soya beans for animal feed. This also contributes to developing world malnutrition as people grow cash crops for animal feed, rather than food for themselves. Far lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet. It follows that switching to veganism is one of the most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment.
Thinking about people
Just as veganism is the sustainable way to look after the planet, plant-based living is the sustainable way of feeding humanity. A plant-based diet would use only a third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet. With rising global food and water insecurity, there has never been a better time to become vegan. Avoiding animal products is the simplest way to take a stand against inefficient food systems all over the world.
The problem with vegetarianism and dairy products
Producing dairy products requires both the death of countless superfluous male calves and the slaughter of cows who aren’t producing enough milk. Even the production of ‘free range’ eggs involves the killing of unnecessary male chicks. All animals experience fear when it comes time for their slaughter.
There is good news
Every time you go shopping or eat in a restaurant you can choose to help farmed animals. When you switch from an animal product to a vegan alternative, you make a stand against the farming of animals. Becoming vegan is easier than it ever was as veganism is becoming increasingly mainstream. More and more people are discovering the benefits of living this way. It is now possible to live a life consuming delicious food and drink, delivering better health, leaving a smaller carbon footprint, and avoiding killing other creatures. So, what’s stopping you?
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