Why do people decide to go vegan?
We are so happy you asked!
As a plant-based couple, we get loads of questions about why we are vegan. Educating others about the power of a plant-based lifestyle is something we enjoy, so we put together some of the reasons why people make the decision to go meatless. From health benefits to addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and animal welfare concerns, we'll dig into why going vegan is a choice that can truly make a difference.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is often a fundamental aspect of the vegan lifestyle. Factory farm conditions are harsh and designed to maximize profit, not to prioritize an animal’s safety. Animals raised for meat and/or for their products (such as milk and eggs) are subjected to inhumane living conditions and treatment including overfeeding, breed engineering, and overcrowding.
It is important to note, too, that meat consumption has hit unprecedented rates around the world and has been increasing in previously low-consumption areas such as China. These trends inevitably lead to an ever-increasing number of animals that are being bred and raised for human consumption.
While it might be hard to accept, we have created a hierarchy of animals in our society and prioritize the health and safety of those that we consider pets. However, what we know is that all animals experience pain and stress - not just our fur babies.
Sometimes, we get asked whether we would eat meat if we knew where it came from, like a small farm or neighbor. That is a complicated question! Just because an operation is small does not mean it is necessarily safer for the animals. Backyard farming, while often operating at a fraction of the scale of factory farming, can be detrimental to an animal’s welfare as owners may not have the knowledge, space, or means to properly care for their animals.
More broadly, centering animal welfare is a means of honoring our connection and responsibility to all creatures and imagines a cruelty-free existence of all living beings. Whether you are fully committed to going vegan, try out Meatless Mondays, or opt for a plant-based meal at a restaurant, there are so many ways - big and small - to respect all animals' inherent rights to life and well-being.
Reducing Environmental Impacts
It is very difficult to ignore the strain humans actively put on our environment. We know things need to be different, but our choices and large-scale change are lagging behind. It is widely accepted that the production of animal-based products, particularly meat and dairy, significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Moreover, emissions and waste produced by the factory farming industry are particularly highly destructive to the environment.
One of the most pressing concerns facing our planet is environmental degradation. The livestock industry places enormous pressure on land, water resources, and biodiversity. Overfishing around the world has led to damaging and potentially irreversible changes to marine ecosystems. Waste runoff from factory farms can pollute drinking water sources. Large amounts of finite resources such as land and fresh water are being allocated for factory farming purposes.
When we choose to reduce the amount of meat we consume, we can help keep land and sea habitats intact, reduce pollution caused by intensive animal agriculture, and reduce water usage and environmental degradation. By choosing plant-based options, we all can reduce our carbon footprint and help mitigate the effects of climate change, fostering a greener and more sustainable future.
Health Benefits
Going vegan in and of itself does not necessarily equate to a healthier diet. We eat cookies and ice cream! We eat chips! We eat french fries! These foods all have unhealthy fats and high amounts of sugar or salt. Lots of foods that vegans can eat are not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, and many vegan items you can pick up in the grocery store are heavily processed.
In more deliberate terms, a whole foods, plant-based diet is what offers a multitude of health benefits. A plant-based diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and legumes provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals while reducing the consumption of unhealthy saturated fats and cholesterol found in animal products. You may be surprised to learn that vegetables are a healthier source of calcium than dairy, and we promise we get enough protein (it lurks in fruits and veggies, too!).
While it may be hard to believe, humans can survive (and thrive!) on a plant-based diet. Our bodies are better designed to ingest plants than meat - the shape of our teeth, the length of intestines, the makeup of our stomachs, they all point to an animal that eats fruits and veggies. By prioritizing wholesome vegan alternatives, you can promote heart health, improve digestion, enhance energy levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. It’s just simple: Plant-based diets are good for the body and brain.
Beyond just our own personal health, going vegan also provides opportunities for improved public health. As mentioned earlier, drinking water contamination due to waste run-off from factory farms is a real danger to humans in the United States and around the world. Additionally, animal flus can easily spread inside factory farms and subsequently to human populations. Animals are often sick in factory farm settings given the unhealthy living conditions and are given large amounts of antibiotics regularly.
Going vegan can be a bit tricky for some people, like me, who have or develop B12 deficiencies. But, what is so fascinating is that B12 is produced from bacteria! Kinda gross, but back in the day, people got their B12 just fine due to bacteria in their water and food sources. With more hygienic practices bringing clean food to our grocery stores, we don’t have as many sources of B12 today. B12 deficiency is no joke and can affect anyone (not just vegans), and luckily there are ways for all of us to get our fill through supplements.
The power of a plant-based lifestyle is far reaching. And, you can benefit, too, without needing to declare “I am going vegan - right here, right now!”. Instead, small actions like subbing more fruits and veggies into your meals, trying out a vegan recipe at home, or checking out a plant-based restaurant are all good ways to reap (and spread!) the positive impacts of a plant-based diet.