Category: Vegan

Just imagine having the opportunity to dramatically reduce your risk of chronic diseases as well as potentially saving an animal’s life. Well, together we can do this simply, by changing the foods that we eat. Veganism is defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. For these reasons, a vegan diet is plant-based and devoid of all animal products, including meat, eggs and dairy. Everyone should go vegan for the sake of your health, the environment and the precious lives of animals.

A vegan diet is one of the healthiest ways of eating. Following this diet can decrease risks of common chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer, strokes and many others. A recent study conducted by EClinicalMedicine, presents that adults with a high in animal protein diet are at increased risk of developing a wide range of chronic diseases. The authors recommended a plant-based diet to reduce these risks. In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, participants who adhered to the overall plant-based diet, had an 11% to 19% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

A vegan diet is the most morally correct and compassionate way to eat. This is due to the fact that 80% of people chose to go vegan for ethical reasons. Some people argue they eat meat simply because it tastes good. But are your taste buds worth more than an animal’s life? Every year, 150 billion animals are slaughtered worldwide. These suffering animals are placed in crowded, disgusting conditions, where their lives are soon cut short. Every time you eat meat, eggs or dairy, you are paying others to cause suffering and death to other animals that think and feel just like we do. Every vegan has the potential to save nearly 200 animals every year. There is simply no easier way to help animals and prevent their suffering than by choosing plant-based foods.

All animals, like humans, have a conscience and a desire to live. Humans have the ability to choose which animals deserve our love, while others are deprived of their lives. Typical pets in western culture including cats and dogs constantly receive our love. However, other animals including cows, chicken and dogs are completely neglected. This is completely hypocritical, getting to decide which animals deserve affection and which ones are butchered. Like humans, animals do feel pain.

Animal products waste energy, resources, food and water. Animal agriculture contributes to pollution and deforestation, resulting in it being the leading cause of climate change. It’s responsible for up to 52% of global greenhouse gas emissions and for 91% of Amazon rainforest destruction. The efforts we may make to take shorter showers are rather insignificant compared to the 9500 litres of water needed to produce 500 grams of beef. A 2010 UN report warned that a shift toward Veganism is vital to save the world from a climate catastrophe and food shortages.

So you say, where do you get your protein if not from meat? And to put it simply, it comes from plants. Heather Russell, a registered dietician at The Vegan Society, says there is no cause for concern. As plants “Can provide all the essential protein building blocks that we call amino acids.” Wouldn’t it just be more efficient to eat plants, rather than the animals who eat these plants?

If the prospect of simultaneously achieving personal dietary empowerment, lowering your carbon footprint and minimising animal suffering has any appeal, then Veganism is for you. But, you have to do it right, meaning consuming a broad diversity of nutrient rich plants. We say that children are our future but what future can they have when we are eating the planet to death?

Although many may think that having a vegan diet may be healthy, it is quite the opposite. For those of you who may be unaware of what a vegan diet is, it is a diet in which you eat no meat or animal products inclusive of eggs, dairy, honey and other products that are made by animals. There are many health risks due to the vegan diet this includes a B12 deficiency, risk of anemia, and an increased risk for depression.

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin only found in animal products; therefore, vegans have a higher risk of B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps to produce DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 Deficiency can cause serious problems such as lightheadedness, heart palpitations, pale skin, bowel problems, vision loss, erectile problems and mental issues or neurological damage. Due to neurological damage, one may become disorientated and for example, stand in front of a car and are run over. Reproduction may also become an issue due to erectile issues. A good way to prevent a B12 deficiency is to eat foods such as meat and poultry or if you would prefer to stick to a vegetarian diet eat dairy products and eggs. Vegetarians, however also have a risk of B12 deficiency due to lack of meat.

Eating a vegan diet can lead to a higher risk of anemia. Anemia occurs when you have a lack of healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to your body tissues. Consequences of anemia include irregular heartbeats, headaches and lightheadedness, fatigue, shortness of breath and pale skin. The worst part is that in the start you will not even be able to tell you to have this condition due to how little it shows, however, this will evolve into something nasty if medical treatment is not sought out immediately. This can also relate to B12 deficiency, due to the lack of B12, the body produces less red blood cells, therefore, there will be less oxygen sent to your body tissues. Your body also requires iron and folate. Iron and folate can be found in vegan-friendly foods though, but the body requires other animal-based foods containing vitamin B12 and protein.

Those of which follow a vegan-based diet may also be unaware that they have a higher risk of thyroid problems. If you were to follow the vegan diet you would not eat fish, eggs and dairy, all of which contain iodine, which is essential for producing thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones have the job of increasing basal metabolic rate, protein biosynthesis and long bone growth. Basal metabolic rate or BMR affects the rate in which one burns off calories; therefore, determining whether one will gain or lose weight. Protein biosynthesis is when cells produce proteins. Proteins do the vast majority of work in a cell and are required for structure and function. Long bone growth is caused mostly due to the extension of the diaphysis. Without thyroid hormones, you would have troubles putting on or losing weight, protein deficiency, and bone growth issues and your body would be altogether failing.

Some vegan parents will enforce a vegan diet on their newborn child. A newborn child cannot survive on a vegan diet. As mentioned previously, the vegan diet restricts animal products such as dairy and eggs. Human breast milk is technically an animal product and the baby formula contains milk powders. Some vegan parents will substitute breast milk or baby formula with soymilk. Soymilk does not provide the nutrients and vitamins that are found in breast milk. In 2017 a Belgium couple was imprisoned for the death of their seven-month-old infant. The infant died at nine pounds, this is seven pounds underweight and had organs that shrunk to half the size that they should have been, this was all due to a vegan diet being enforced on an infant.

The everyday vegan would claim that consuming animal products is unethical. I suppose in the perfect world we would want to live in peace, and have no animal be killed, however, we do not live in the perfect world and we do kill animals. Say hypothetically, the turtle was at the top of the food chain and had the same intellect as we do, say they were also a carnivore. The turtles would kill and eat us; it is just the way things work. It may be unethical, but it is the way of survival. Animals in the wild hunt and kill, why can’t we? The vegan diet even restricts animal-based products including eggs, honey and dairy. What are animals going to do with unfertilised eggs? Animals have no use for unfertilised eggs. Cows go through pain if not milked after a specific amount of time, even if they didn’t why not make use of their milk, they have no use for it after their calf has grown. Supplements can be taken if you wish to follow a vegan diet, however, why spend money on supplements when you can eat healthily?

The vegan diet is unhealthy and unethical on yourself. Vegans potentially risk their own lives instead of eating healthily. The vegan diet restricts all animal products that are vital for human survival. Without supplements, illness would take over and they would most likely die. At least move down to vegetarian so that you can keep yourself healthy and alive. Veganism is horrifically unhealthy and can be life-threatening.

Relevance

I chose this topic because as a vegan, and someone who firmly believes in what veganism stands for, it is very important for the representative of our University to understand the impact that Veganism has on our planet. It is meaningful to express the viewpoints of one who is vegan and explain the benefits that this choice has on so many environmental factors. I would like for the representative of Colorado State University to understand veganism in a greater capacity and choose to practice veganism. With this choice being made by someone who is so impactful to the students of CSU, I believe that action could follow in the students of Colorado State University. The most successful outcome that could be achieved, in my viewpoint, would be for Joyce McConnell to choose veganism and express this choice with her own thoughts and opinions to students and provide for a change of perspective throughout CSU. With this change in perspective, it would then be possible for students to follow the standard set from President McConnell and create an environment of understanding the benefits veganism has on the world and choose to become vegan.

As the face of Colorado State University and the most influential representative, it is important to stress why the choice you can make to become a vegan can have a huge impact on yourself, the students, and the environment of Colorado State University. Let me start by providing with you seven thought-provoking facts.

• Vegans spare the lives of about 200 animals per year
• Being vegan cuts your carbon footprint in HALF
• Switching to a plant-based diet can add FOUR years to your life
• Vegans save 1,100 gallons of water each day
• Vegans are up to 32% less likely than meat eaters to suffer from illnesses or death due to heart disease
• Vegans save 45 pounds of grain each day
• Vegans are 30% less likely to have a stroke (Von Alt).

Now that you have read and understand just these seven simple truths of choosing to go vegan, let’s dive deeper into the benefits veganism has on not only your personal health, but the health of both the planet and animals.

Hundreds of innocent animals’ lives being saved per year should be reason enough to choose to go vegan. In the viewpoint of a vegan, it makes no sense that human-beings scoff at the idea of eating their own pet dog or cat, though think it is perfectly normal to eat, for example; a chicken, pig or cow, all of which are also common pets for many who choose to live a farming lifestyle. For a single person to have the ability to save roughly two-hundred animals a year, you are saving that many animals from suffering through the slaughtering that takes place during meat production. Pigs average a lifetime of around twelve years, though they are being slaughtered at the age of four. Male dairy cows have a natural lifetime of twenty years and are being killed between 1-24 weeks. And, cows used for meat are being killed at eighteen months with an average lifetime of twenty years as well. With that being noted, not only are we inhumanely slaughtering these animals, the age of which they are being killed is not even a half of their natural lifetimes.

Similarly, while not only should the lives of these innocent animals be kept in mind every time someone chooses to eat any sort of animal product, the planet is also a huge factor in the benefits of choosing to go vegan. As noted in the facts provided above, choosing to go vegan cuts your carbon footprint in half. What does carbon footprint mean? This is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds that are emitted by human beings with the consumption of fossil fuels. So, what does that have to do with choosing veganism? Meat products have much bigger carbon footprints per calorie than plant and grain products because of the inefficiency of transforming plant energy to meat energy. According to a website by the name of GreenEatz, “Livestock farming produces from 20% to 50% of all man-made greenhouse emissions.” This website also notes that vegans have the lowest carbon footprint and vegetarians have that of half a meet lover’s diet. For not only the sake of the innocent animals’ lives being taken from them, but also for the sake of the environment and our planet, going vegan greatly benefits and reduces harm to both of these important aspects of life.

When considering veganism, yes animals are saved and yes, the environment is being taken care of, though what about the increasing scarcity of water? As noted in the seven facts, choosing to go vegan can save a great deal of water. According to PETA, one person who chooses to go vegan can save approximately 219,000 gallons of water a year. This is just one person. Imagine the affect if you chose veganism and students followed your lead. Even if one-hundred students lead by your example, that would save 21,900,000 gallons of water a year. Water is already scarce for many in today’s society and choosing to eat meat adds to the water footprint of nearly four million gallons of water per/ton.

With all of that being said, when choosing to go vegan you are saving the lives of millions of innocent animals, reducing your carbon footprint and saving tons of wasted water. Those three reasons alone should be convincing for an individual to choose veganism should they care about animals, the environment, and the scarcity of water which are all vital to life, though there are also many other reasons why going vegan is a life-changing decision. As noted in the initial seven facts, veganism can also improve your own health dramatically by adding four years to your life, being 32% less likely to experience life threatening illnesses and being 30% less likely to have a stroke.

Now that we have taken a bigger jump into what it means to be vegan and the benefits this choice has, I ask you to make this choice. Not only will this benefit your own life, but also has the potential to change the lives of so many others. I choose you. Set the standard. Go vegan. It will change your life and can change the lives of those who attend Colorado State University.

Citations

1. “What Can You Do to Save 219,000 Gallons of Water a Year?” PETA, PETA, 23 Mar. 2016, www.peta.org/blog/how-to-save-219000-gallons-water-year/.
2. “Food’s Carbon Footprint.” Green Eatz, WordPress, 14 Oct. 2019, www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html.
3. “7 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Vegans.” ChooseVeg, Mercy For Animals, 8 Feb. 2019, chooseveg.com/blog/7-facts-you-probably-didnt-know-about-vegans/.

Introduction

Aim

The aim of this report is to determine how sustainable a plant based diet is and to come to an ultimate conclusion to this question by carrying out research and using past research to come to this conclusion. The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word ‘sustainability’ as “the quality of being able to continue over a period of time”. This study is important because, for a long time plant based diets have been ignored and “high consumption of meat and a low regard for meat substitutes is still the dominant cultural pattern in most western societies.” (Graça et al 2015, pg. 80-90). Clemens Wittenbecher writes in a journal article that “Habitual red meat consumption was consistently related to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in observational studies” (2015). A connection between high meat consumption and cardiovascular disease is mentioned in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research – “long-term consumption of increasing amounts of red meat and particularly of processed meat is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer and type 2 diabetes, in both men and women.” (E.B Richi 2015).Thus there is a lot of importance in researching sustainability of plant based diets to benefit a more balanced and healthier lifestyle which will last long rather than being an on again off again venture. Economically, Oxford University researchers modelled the effects of many diets including a plant based diet and came to the conclusion that shifting to a vegetarian diet may mean that the “economic benefit of reduced greenhouse gas emissions could be as much as $570 billion.” (GaleOneFile, 2016). This is just one of the many benefits of why time should be invested into the long term implementation of plant based diets.

Literature Review

Continuous research and studies in the sustainability of vegetarianism and an increase in plant based diets has resulted in a mix of conclusions on whether they are sustainable, one on hand “Vegetarian diets, when properly planned, provide the full range of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre necessary for optimal nutritional status” (Clarke 2015). However, an entirely plant based diet is not possible in the long run for most people as “nutritional needs may increase during stages of growth and development, pregnancy and lactation, which may mean that it becomes necessary to eat meat at certain stages of life” (Clark 2015).

Is a plant based Diet Sustainable?

As a result of contradicting reporting’s of whether a plant based diet is sustainable at all a question has to be asked – Is a plant based Diet Sustainable? ‘Producing meat requires significantly more land, water and energy resources than the production of nutritionally equivalent vegetarian foods’ (Pohjolainen et al 2015). As a result, taking part in a meat-free diet would be economically beneficial as less energy resources would be used up and also environmentally this would be more eco-friendly as less fossil fuels are burnt therefore exhibiting that a plant based diet is sustainable. The European Public Health Association (EPHA) states that ‘Environmentally friendly habits include reducing the consumption of animal products and increasing the consumption of plant products’ (2016). This implies that a plant based diet is sustainable as an increase of plant products in place of a decrease of animal products would be aiding the environment therefore increasing sustainability in the environment. However, there are contrasting reports where plant based diets may not be sustainable as ‘The degree to which these food types become incorporated in diets depends on their relative costs.’ (H. Charles et al 2018). This shows that there are conflicting studies on whether a plant based diet is sustainable.

There is a clear importance for more people in the UK to switch to a plant based diet. In the book ‘Vegetarian and Plant-Based Diets in Health and Disease Prevention’ the authors entertains the importance of a plant based diet being correlated to a healthier lifestyle ‘The adoption of a vegan diet has become increasingly popular in light of expert recommendations to follow plant-based diets for improved health outcomes’ (K. M. Mangano, K. L. Tucker, 2017). In the European Journal of Nutrition a key importance of cutting down on meat is signified when Sobiecki states ‘The recent evaluation of the carcinogenicity of these foods by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has corroborated the findings of the WCRF by classifying processed meats as Group 1 carcinogen’ (2017). Sustainability through a plant heavy diet can be achieved as a result of substituting processed meats for cooked vegetables thus decreasing risks of developing cancer and other health risks through exposure of carcinogens.

Effects

‘A common ethical argument for vegetarianism in the early twenty-first century is that 40% of the world’s grain goes to feed animals raised for meat rather than to feed people’ ( R. J. Frey, PhD, 2017). Economically, reducing meat consumption would allow more grain and crop to be grown for human consumption allowing costs to decrease to enabling access to more of the UK consumers to benefit from a plant based diet. To maximise sustainability, ‘The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) has suggested that adopting a vegetarian diet is one option to increase the amount of water available to grow more food in an increasingly climate-erratic world.’ (Clarke 2015). Adopting a vegetarian diet can maximise sustainability because more water will be available to grow more food which economically, will aid the demand for food and food prices will be lower especially crops therefore allowing plant consumption to increase within the British consumer market.

Methodology

A questionnaire will be used obtain quantitative and qualitative data because information of a personal nature can be obtained more readily and will be quicker to accumulate responses as it is easier to access compared to an interview which would take longer. The target demographic will be the students of Manchester Metropolitan University, the minimum sample size of 100 students will be used and more may be asked to help solidify results and increase reliability of raw data. Quantitative data will be collected to produce a foundation for further analysis of raw data to help find a conclusion to research study.

References

1. Graça, J., Oliveira, A. and Calheiros, M.M., 2015. Meat, beyond the plate. Data-driven hypotheses for understanding consumer willingness to adopt a more plant-based diet. Appetite, 90, pp.80-90.
2. Wittenbecher, C., Mühlenbruch, K., Kröger, J., Jacobs, S., Kuxhaus, O., Floegel, A., Fritsche, A., Pischon, T., Prehn, C., Adamski, J. and Joost, H.G., 2015. Amino acids, lipid metabolites, and ferritin as potential mediators linking red meat consumption to type 2 diabetes. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 101(6), pp.1241-1250.
3. Richi, E.B., Baumer, B., Conrad, B., Darioli, R., Schmid, A. and Keller, U., 2015. Health risks associated with meat consumption: a review of epidemiological studies. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res, 85(1-2), pp.70-78.
4. Gale OneFile: News (2016) ‘New York: Study: Plant-Based Diets Would Help the Planet in Multiple Ways.’ [Online] [Accessed on 27th December 2019], https://link-gale-com.mmu.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A576432600/STND?u=mmucal5&sid=STND&xid=50e5e6c4.
5. Clarke, A., 2015. Vegetarianism and sustainability. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 21(2), p.106.
6. Clarke, A., 2015. Vegetarianism and sustainability. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 21(2), p.106.
7. Pohjolainen, P., Vinnari, M. and Jokinen, P., 2015. Consumers’ perceived barriers to following a plant-based diet. British Food Journal. Vol. 117 No. 3, pp. 1150-1167
8. Birt, C., Buzeti, T., Grosso, G., Justesen, L., Lachat, C., Lafranconi, A., Mertanen, E., Rangelov, N. and Sarlio-Lähteenkorva, S., 2017. Healthy and sustainable diets for European countries
9. Godfray, H.C.J., Aveyard, P., Garnett, T., Hall, J.W., Key, T.J., Lorimer, J., Pierrehumbert, R.T., Scarborough, P., Springmann, M. and Jebb, S.A., 2018. Meat consumption, health, and the environment. Science, 361(6399), p.eaam5324.
10. Mangano, K.M. and Tucker, K.L., 2017. Bone health and vegan diets. In Vegetarian and Plant-Based Diets in Health and Disease Prevention (pp. 315-331). Academic Press.
11. Sobiecki, J.G., 2017. Vegetarianism and colorectal cancer risk in a low-selenium environment: effect modification by selenium status? A possible factor contributing to the null results in British vegetarians. European journal of nutrition, 56(5), pp.1819-1832.
12. Frey, Rebecca J., PhD. (2017) ‘Vegetarianism.’ The Gale Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Food Labels’, Gale, a Cengage Company, pp. 564-571. Gale eBooks, [Online] [Accessed 1st Jan. 2020] https://link-gale-com.mmu.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/CX3645900170/GVRL?u=mmucal5&sid=GVRL&xid=7ac32a01
13. Clarke, A., 2015. Vegetarianism and sustainability. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 21(2), p.106.

Veganism, as previously known as ‘Vegetarianism’ are the people who abstain from eating dairy, meat, cheese, eggs, honey or gelatine (Suddath, 2008). Vegans do no longer eat something which comes from animals, nor wear whatever that’s crafted from animals either including leather and wool. The difference between a ‘vegan’ diet and a ‘vegetarian’ diet is that veganism is an extreme form of a vegetarian diet, although the term was created in 1944 but the “concept of avoiding flesh has been tracked back to the ancient Indian as well as East Mediterranean’s societies” (Suddath, 2008). This essay explores whether becoming a vegan could save the environment, and the impact our planet will have if we all became vegan?

MEAT PRODUCTION

From the meat production, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation known as (FAO) stated that “1.1 billion sheep and 1.4 million cattle altogether on the planet contribute towards producing 37% of the total methane which is generated through human activity”- “Methane is an organic gas which is much more effective in trapping the greenhouse gases as compared to CO2, therefore contributing extensively towards raising the greenhouse effect on Earth” (Tuffrey, 2012). Furthermore, The agriculture land is being used for elevating farm animals throughout the world, the significance of this is that agriculture takes up one third of the total land surface of the Earth, thus, eating all these meats must mean that it’s not a very sustainable and intelligent decision which could support the reasons being going vegan to aid our environment.

A United Nations report states that land used for animal agriculture, both for grazing and production of crops fed to livestock, takes up an astounding 30% of land on Earth. (Meat Production Waste Natural Resources). To meet the industry’s demands, over 260 million acres of forest in the U.S were cleared to develop grain-fed to farm animals. (Meat Production Wastes Natural Resources). With that in mind, the meat trade to boot dumps disease-inflicting pathogens through the animal waste that pollutes water and forces the requirement for waste lagoons to be created, that are prone to leaky and flooding (Facts about Pollution from Livestock Farms). Silverman states that “scientists say that about 14% of the world’s greenhouse gases are released by said agriculture industries, which is a growing concern for climate change and global warming”. There is no doubt that farming animals encompasses a negative result on the surroundings and steps ought to be taken to mitigate air and water pollution risks. If animal agriculture was phased out, land used for animal grazing could be returned to forest land and a few of it reborn into fields for cultivating crops for humans. a worldwide shift toward veganism, leading to the elimination of the meat and animal agriculture industries, would defend the surroundings from numerous damaging effects.

WELFARE ON ANIMALS

The main reason behind becoming a ‘vegan’ or being a vegetarian has always been the welfare on animals, according to the ‘Vegetarian Society’, a charity in the UK stated that “more than 2 million land animals are being killed in the UK every just to satisfy the population’s taste for meat” (The Vegetarian Society, 2011). Suddath highlights that “what we choose to eat has great impact on the environment and concern towards the environment has been another major factor for the people turning vegetarian” (Suddath, 2008). Moreover, a research was conducted by R. K Pachauri, the previous chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that “The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has estimated that meat production accounts for nearly a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. These are generated during the production of animal feeds, for example, while ruminants, particularly cows, emit methane, which is twenty-three time more effective as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide. The agency has also warned that meat consumption is set to double by the middle of the entry” Pachauri statement vocalises on how significant it is to give up meat as it would provide a new healthier lifestyle for the individual and for the planet; so, isn’t it insightful to turn vegetarian?

Turning vegan can considerably facilitate in saving the earth and there are several reliable reasons that support to become a vegetarian. One reason that is extremely imperative is that if we tend to cut back our meat consumption by 30% it’d aid and be superior for the U.S and therefore the remainder of the world as recommended by analysis reports of Reuters.

Researchers within the United Kingdom and Australia are able to encounter some measures like reduction of fuel dependence just in case of farming techniques aren’t enough to fulfil the targets allotted for emission reduction as reported by Reuters. (Reuters, 2010) To further the argument, Black highlighted that “if these steps of carbon dioxide reductions are combined with around 30% cutback of livestock which are breeding in the major meat producing countries along with a similar kind of reduction in consumption of meat, it will definitely lead to substantial amounts of health benefits for population at large and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions too at the same time” (Black, 2009). This would therefore really help in saving our environment.

Likewise, The Lancet Medical Journal revealed a study that highlighted that within the United Kingdom alone, simply 30% lesser intake of less saturated fats by adults can facilitate in reducing the amount of premature deaths that are caused by heart attacks in young age by 17%. It’s calculable that around 18% of emissions of greenhouse gases are attributed to the assembly of meat and meat merchandise as found in a very study done by world organization Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)

Meat is delicious. But adding too much meat in your daily meals can cause a myriad of health issues. Today scientific studies have also shown that animal products contain a high amount of saturated fats can lead to several health problems such as clogged arteries causing heart disease and other health issues. However, switching the meat-based diet to plant-based food can be very daunting, but if you want to resist animal products you might want to try out some simple plant-based vegan recipes. Vegan food is as delicious as the animal products and is much healthier. Here are some of the health benefits of opting vegan lifestyle.

Detox Your Body

When you completely withdraw meat and switch to plant-based food, you will feel better within days. As you proceed with your plant-based diet, your body will begin to mend itself. You will become healthier, more likely to fight off harmful bacteria that make you sick, and biologically stronger than ever before.

Better Heart Health

Vegan recipes are rich in good cholesterol; it helps reduce the level of LDL cholesterol which is bad for the heart while increasing the HDL level. Apart from this, plant-based food contains low fats and calories and is rich in fiber than animal products, which helps to reduce obesity and the major risk factors of heart diseases.

Promote Weight Loss

A vegan lifestyle is one of the most effective solutions for those who want to reduce excess weight without making too many efforts. Since plant-based foods are rich in fiber and have more polyunsaturated fats instead of saturated fats compared to animal products, the saturated fat will get reduced from the body and you will lose the excessive weight.

Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most widely recognized fastest growing diseases in the time. However, you can reduce the risk of having type-2 diabetes by opting vegan lifestyle. It has quite long been acknowledged that a residing on a vegan diet can greatly improve blood sugar levels and keep the risk of developing type-2 diabetes to a minimum.

Improve Immunity

A healthy immune system makes a body capable to fight viruses and bacteria causing several infections and illnesses. Plant-based foods are packed with a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help the body to improve immunity to fight against threatening diseases.

Healthy Skin

Many people found improvement in their skin since they started a plant-based diet. Multiple studies have also shown that people eating meals which are based on starches, vegetables, and fruits have little and no acne. However, when these people switch their diet to a typical western style, their skin breaks out and shows the signs of acne.

Reduce Migraines

Migraines are often affected by diet, some of the common dietary migraine triggers are alcohol, chocolate, aged cheese, and processed meat. However, migraine may also be triggered by some of the factors like missing meals or having a long gap between meals may trigger migraines, stress, or not having proper sleep.

However, you can avoid a migraine or reduce the pain by adapting some vegan recipes. The group of Washington D.C. researchers has found that low-fat plant-based foods may benefit migraine sufferers.

How to start a vegan lifestyle?

Opting for a completely vegan lifestyle is very hard especially for meat lovers, it is important not to change your diet to vegan overnight. You can try going meatless once or twice a week; it can help your body to adjust to the change. Try out some simple and delicious vegan recipes to start or you can also try out some vegan alternatives to meat like vegan chicken, vegan bacon, or sausages to reduce your temptation towards meat. It might be difficult in the beginning but after a period of time, you will be habitual of plant-based food.

Is veganism a life you would want to live? Think about it; no turkey at Christmas dinner, no Sunday roast, no more dairy. These are values vegans nowadays demand and live by. According to the “Vegan Society”, in 2016 there were an estimated 540,000 vegans swamping Great Britain. It is estimated that since 2006 they have further invaded the country, their levels rising by 150,000. Women are more prone to being vegan, approximately there are twice as many women than men due to the pressure of social media on women; the idealistic body type that can only be achieved by nibbling on a carrot. The growth of the clan of vegans has increased dramatically over the past few years, their numbers spiralling out of control. Veganism is getting more and more popular by the minute, nowadays it’s a modern trend. But what causes this surge of ‘healthy’ eating?

Supermarkets are stocking more vegan options to keep up with people’s fluctuating dietary choices. Waitrose launched a dedicated vegan section in more than 130 shops while Iceland reported that sales of its plant-based food had risen by a shocking 10% over the last year. The UK market for meat-free foods was reportedly worth £572 million in 2017. And it won’t stop there, retail sales are expected to increase to £658 in 2021 (from the BBC news website). A vegan diet is fashionable for a number of reasons: weight loss, the ability to lower blood pressure and animal welfare. The list is endless. This all sounds like everyone should go vegan! But the question we should all be asking ourselves before jumping on the band wagon with all the other vegans is: what are the bad things about becoming a vegan? Surely it’s not all it’s cracked up to be?

The health risks of becoming vegan is only getting worse. Protein in our daily diet is a vital component of body tissues, enzymes, and immune cells. It helps to keep the immune system functioning properly, maintain healthy skin, hair and nails. Not only does protein make you look good, it makes you feel good too. In contrast, a vegan diet contains no meat and no dairy making it tricky for the protein to reach the body. Protein is available in items that contain meat and dairy; steak and fish contain 20-30 grams of protein per 100g whereas what vegans eat – vegetables, beans and rice – contain just 5-20g. There are other sources of protein for vegans such as hemp protein powder, although this powder contains unstable polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unstable polyunsaturated fatty acids are very vulnerable to damage from heat, light, and/or oxygen. If they are damaged by heat, light, and/or oxygen they can get oxidized. This is not good as oxidized fats are dangerous because they’re inflammatory. Eating oxidised fats increases inflammation which contributes to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes.

On all vegan diets, the body is not receiving anywhere near enough protein to run efficiently meaning vegans cannot complete daily tasks. A sport a vegan may love is destroyed, because they are too tired and too weak. They lose touch of daily activities, they spend more time indoors, would rather sleep than hang out with friends. They lose muscle and bone density. But isn’t veganism healthier than eating a McDonald’s every Saturday night? Yes, I guess this is true; a big mac meal contains a whopping 610 calories per one burger! In comparison, an avocado on toast contains only 300 calories. But, it contains 30g of protein, meaning, a person who chooses a big mac having over a healthy portion of avocado on toast will have significantly more energy.

Eating on a vegan diet can be expensive. Vegans may believe they are able to dodge high prices by buying cheap fruit and avoiding overpriced meat but it turns out this diet has costly consequences. Some Organic foods such as quinoa, vegan staples has to be imported from abroad meaning that prices skyrocket. Vegans have a limited choice of food so are willing to pay any price. Another way a vegan diet can be expensive is that food comes in small portions so people buying this food will have to buy more to satisfy their needs. A lot of foods that are bought by vegans are wrapped in plastic, this contradicts their views as plastic hurts the environment.

In some cases a vegan diet can be downright exclusionary. After all there is a reason why health guidelines rule against a meat free diet for younger children, the pregnant or the infirm. For children, starting a vegan diet at a young age can cause complications. Due to the weight loss factor of veganism, children can experience severe loss in weight if their diet is not properly controlled. Plant based diets can possibly be used instead of meat. But even if plant-based diets can in theory provide the nutrients needed, that is not to say that people on the diet will follow a well-planned out diet. If a vegan diet falls through, it may end up in serious physical impairment. Nigel Denby, a dietician and author of Nutrition for Dummies, says: ‘It can be hard enough bringing a child up to eat healthily, but with a vegan diet you are really making a difficult job for yourself. It is absolutely not something that should be tried without support from a dietician.’ Animal products are high in nutrients, removing them from your diet, makes you tired and unable to function at 100%. Without being thourghly researched, it is easy to overlook important details about the diet. Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that is often known as “memory-boosting, brain health” nutrient. We need B12 to, prevent brain shrinkage – a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, depression and Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anaemia, fatigue or depression. For the first few months of swapping to a vegan diet, you will still have adequate vitamin B12 but in the long run you can end up with a nutritional deficiency. Having a B12 deficiency can make you feel tired, unhappy and have a difficulty breathing. Because vegans do not consume any meat or dairy, they tend to end up with this deficiency over time. Six or seven years later, the B12 that is stored in the liver will be exhausted. At this point, vegans may start to have serious brain breakdown. The way to reduce the risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiencies, is to get frequent (and costly) B12 injections. However, B12 injections might become a problem as vitamin B12 might not be absorbed if your body doesn’t have the cofactors of B12.

Therefore, a protein diet, eve with the consequences of gaining weight, is better than only eating nuts and avocadoes. A vegan diet requires attention. It’s extremely dangerous to miss a certain food out of your diet, especially in children. Veganism is popularised by social media which younger children year by year watch and become vulnerable to. Stories about young children becoming anorexic from a vegan diet continuously circle the internet, granted their diets may not have been properly planned but is that a risk you are willing to take. Constantly worrying about protein deficiency can become exhausting. A lot of research must go into a vegan diet before you actually take the leap into the world of veganism.

Introduction

Over the past few years veganism has risen in numbers and the debate between which lifestyle is better being a vegan or being a meat eater has also increased. When looking at both side it is clear that each side has their advantages and disadvantages and some do outweigh each other, but with critical analysis I aim to unpack which lifestyle is overall healthier, economically viable and environmentally sustainable and why so many people are so reluctant to go vegan and why so many are so against meat eating.

What is Veganism

Veganism goes as far back as to 500 BC but the word vegan was coined by Donald Watson in 1944 but was meant to mean ‘non-dairy vegetarian’ but it was changed to mean “the doctrine that man should live without exploiting animals’. In the 2010’s Veganism began increasing with more vegan shops, restaurants and grocery stores opening around the world.

Veganism is a lifestyle where one does not consume any animal products nor, in some cases, do they use any clothing, accessory or object made from an animal. Not to be confused with being a vegetarian which is not consuming any meat. A vegan does not eat egg, dairy and meat and any other animal derived food. There are three types of vegans, dietary vegans (or strict vegetarians), ethical vegan and environmental vegan. Dietary vegans do not consume any animal products simply for dietary reasons whilst ethical vegan also practices the philosophy behind veganism which is animal are not just commodities and condemns the use and abuse of animals in any way shape or form and environmental vegans are vegans on the basis that being a meat eater has negative effects on the environment, so by being vegan they aim to reduce their carbon footprint. Most vegans are all three ethical, dietary and environmental vegans

What is being a meat eater

Being a meat eater is the term used for people who consume any animal products and use animal- based accessories, it is not excusive to people who only eat meat but the use of animals in anyway in general. Most of the world’s population are meat eaters this is because being a meat eater is more financially sustainable than being a vegan. In recent years meat-eater have begun to be more active in their support for animal rights and only buying free range foods and accessories, but many companies still make profit off the torture of animals (which I will elaborate on later in my research) and they need to be stopped and as a meat-eater is it’s our responsibility to ensure that we are held accountable for the food we consume and only support free range products.

Economic Effects

According to Livekindly the demand for vegan food has increased by 140% in 2017 and inflation increased 12% in 2016. While veganism has increased so has the cost of food, this means that the already expensive foods that have nutritional value in the lifestyle will have also increased to high prices which if we are looking at the majority of South Africa who live in poverty is not suitable. Inflation does not only effect vegans but also meat eaters with many South Africans struggling to afford the basics such as vegetables how are they now supposed to afford almond milk or soya.

When doing my research, I noticed that most websites stated that being a vegan was cheaper than being a meat-eater and then I also noticed that most of these websites were from developed countries and are more economically stable than developing countries like South Africa this led me to investigate and I compared the prices of diary milk and almond milk which is vegan. When comparing the price of 1l dairy milk and 1l almond milk, the dairy milk cost R12 while almond cost R46 that is R34 difference, although to some a R34 increase is not that bad for many that a lot of money that can be used elsewhere to better their lives a family could buy almost three litres compared to the one of almond. This can be passed on too many other vegan foods were the non-vegan alternative is much cheaper.

A meat eater spends approximately R2 062 on groceries while a vegan spends R3 250 in a month, there is a difference of R1 188 between the two lifestyles and spending that much more money is just not economically wise for most South African families. The cost of being a vegan is partly the reason why some South Africans are not vegan.

Animal Rights

A large reason why most people go vegan is because they are huge supporters of animal rights and do not agree with the way many animals are treated in industrial farms. Many animals are pumped full of dangerous hormones to make them grow faster and interfering with nature’s cycle and thus throwing everything off balance, harming the animals and the consumer. They are also kept indoors all day which is extremely detrimental to the grow and well-being of the animals. The extreme harsh condition of breeding animals has been, especially in recent years, under blast. by going vegan, they are no longer supporting these international companies, but most meat eaters are not aware of this. In the survey I conducted most meat-eaters were not aware of where their meat and other non-vegan food products come from which is very problematic. Not knowing where they food one eats comes from means that we end up supporting business that practise animal cruelty. it is your responsibility as a meat eater to be held accountable for the food that you consume, which is why in recent years many meat eaters have spoken out against animal cruelty and are only buying free-range or pasture free products. Free range according to the Cambridge Dictionary means “relating to or produced by farm animals that are allowed to move around outside and are not kept in cages” which is the product all meat-eaters should be eating.

The reason why many big producers are not producing food is because having free range products does slow down productivity and slow down money income, businesses are too fixated on making money than they are the well-being of animals which needs to be stopped and if vegans and meat-eaters work together they can be.

Environmental Effects

Some of the environmental effects that meat production has are animal methane, effluent waste, and water and land consumption. Many forests are being destroyed for farming reasons, this is called deforestation. Deforestation means that the biodiversity of that area no longer has a habit resulting in those animals to die and eventually become endangered and if nothing is done they will become extinct. All animals play a role in their respective ecosystems and if they are removed everything is thrown off balance.

To make one pound of beef (453.592g) it takes 1 850 gallons of water (7003.012 l). The average South Africa eats 13,35 kg of meat a year which amounts to 93490 l of water a year. This is a huge amount water used and is extremely bad for the environment, which is why meat-eater need to reduce their meat consumption.

Greenhouse methane gas produced by livestock and is one of the reasons why global warming is such a problem, the gas, like carbon, damages the ozone layer. The faeces of livestock especially cows, give of methane gas. The fact that the gas is affecting the ozone layer just shows how many cows and other livestock there is.

It is than our responsibility as meat-eaters to lessen the amount of meat we eat, because at this rate eating meat is extremely detrimental for the environment and if we don’t do something the earth will suffer and so will we.

Health Effects/ Nutritional Value

It argued by many Vegans that being a vegan is healthier I want to however put this to the test and see if being a vegan is actually healthier or is it being a meat-eater?

Being a vegan if not done correctly can be unhealthy, one has to make sure that the foods they eat give then all the nutritional value since getting a nutritional meal is hard when vegan and to remember that just because some is vegan doesn’t mean it healthy, after all potato chips are vegan. With that said if they diet is followed correctly it can be, according to Katherine Tallmadge a former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “nutritionally superior to any other way of eating”. Being vegan lessen the risk of ischemic heart disease, they also have lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Vegans also have an overall lower body mass index, lower cancer rates and lower risk of chronic diseases. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products so not eating animal products make it harder for one to get this vitamin, therefore a vegan either needs to take supplements eat certain soy products and breakfast cereals to avoid a deficiency. Omega-3 fatty acid is found mainly in fish or eggs therefore vegans need to make sure that do get this fatty acid else or else a deficiency could form.

Contrary to popular belief begin vegan does not mean instant weight loss, and it is possible to be an “unhealthy vegan” this is due to the fact that carbohydrates form a stable in a vegan diet and too much like in a meat-eaters diet is very unhealthy.

There are many health risks with being a meat eater, eating processed meats can cause cancer while red meat also increases the risk of cancer. Eating meat also increases ones risk of getting diabetes and heart diseases and even death. Counties that eat less meat have been shown to have higher life expectancy rates. According to a study of over 70,000 people published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, vegetarians were 12 percent less likely to have died during a six-year followup period than their meat-eating peers.

Eating meat does have some benefits. Meat is very high in protein which is why meat eater hardly have protein deficiencies, there is also lots of iron, zinc and selenium. Iron is used to form haemoglobin which transports oxygen around the body, zinc helps tissue formation and metabolism and selenium breaks down the fat and chemicals in the body. Many vitamins are found in animal products such a vitamin A, B and D which are found in eggs and other dairy products and meat

In the survey I conducted I found that most vegans felt that they were living a healthier lifestyle and they were healthier than their non-vegan counter parts.

Social Influence

As mentioned before veganism has risen exponentially over the past few years and one of the contributing factors among others is social media and social influencers. Celebrity vegans included: Serena Williams, Meghan Markle, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres to name a few with Beyoncé and Jay-Z even going as far as to promise a lucky few fans a lifetime supply of tickets it they go vegan. Because of these celebrities going vegan many of their fans are now wanting to become vegan. Being a vegan is now a trend with many going vegan not as a lifestyle but as a diet and just to “try it out”. Social media has exposed the horrible conditions in which animals are kept which and has swayed many into veganism. Celebrities constantly speak about the benefits of being vegan and this sways the public because we all know how influential celebrities are in the world of social media.

Conclusion

After thorough evaluation I have come to the conclusion that the benefits of veganism outweigh the disadvantages and it would be in everyone’s best interest to go vegan or if not lessen their meat consumption. Because the cost of being a vegan is so high and not affordable for most South Africans the best option is to lessen our meat intake not only to better the environment but our health and to be aware of the type of meat we consume and where it comes from, we should only be eating free range meat. And as a vegan to make sure that you get all the nutrients needed and that be still be mindful of the food you eat because there is a thing as an unhealthy vegan.

Veganism is a controversial topic among many people that often results in heated debates. Those who follow the vegan lifestyle, or at least advocate for it, argue that it is a clean and healthy way to live, and a way that has a positive effect on both a person’s physical health and their impact on the environment. On the other hand, there are people who counter that veganism is a radical and impractical lifestyle that is almost impossible to maintain today and that the physical benefits might not be worth the effort or as good as they seem. However, is it undeniably clear that those wishing to live a healthier and more environmentally friendly life should adopt a vegan lifestyle, despite the challenges it presents?

Veganism is a plant-based diet that eliminated the consumption of all animal products. This includes not only the meat from the animal itself but anything produced by an animal, such as milk and dairy products, eggs, honey, and fish. Etc. These products are substituted for products derived from plants, like soymilk or tofu.

There are many refutable pros to veganism. They include weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, lower risk of developing illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and higher levels of key vitamins like dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamin C and E. Weight loss sparks a certain amount of interest in many people, and in some cases is the prime reason why people transition to a vegan diet in the first place. Vegans tend o be thinner than average people because of the lack of saturated fats in a plant-based diet and because of the significantly lower caloric density of plant-based foods. An article on healthline.com discussing the benefits of veganism and weight loss claims that “In one study, a vegan diet helped participants lose 9.3 lbs. (4.2 kg) more than a control diet over an 18-week study period” and furthermore, “participants on the vegan diet lost more weight than those who followed calorie-restricted diets, even when the vegan groups were allowed to eat until they felt full”. This means that vegans can eat a higher volume of food for a lesser number of calories, and who does not want more food? The article explains that vegans also tend to have higher levels of key vitamins; plant-based foods are not only lower in calories and harmful fats, but higher in vitamins and antioxidants. When comparing a vegan dish, lentils, to a traditional dish, chicken, you can see that the vegan dish is a much healthier option. For example, in 3.5 oz. of lentils, there is 2 percent more calcium and 24 percent more iron than there is in 3.5 oz. of chicken breast, not to mention 18 percent less fat (SkipThePie.org, Lentils vs. Chicken).

Another key pro of veganism is the positive impact it has on the environment and the refusal to purchase from companies that use inhumane treatment of its animals as well s unsustainable resources. Animal-based products use far more precious resources such as water or land to produce than plant-based products do. PETA, an organization focused on countering the abuse and neglect of animals and the environment, compiles research to show exactly how wasteful and harmful producing animal-based foods is. For example, “It takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of cow flesh, whereas it takes about 180 gallons of water to make 1 pound of whole wheat flour” (Kreith, PETA). If more people were to adopt a vegan lifestyle, the demand for meat would decrease, and along with it, the use of water. Furthermore, “Of all the agricultural land in the U.S., 80 percent is used to raise animals for food and grow grain to feed them – that’s almost half the total land mass of the lower 48 states”. (Vesterby and Kupra, PETA). If more people were to adopt a vegan lifestyle, these numbers would decrease significantly and there would be more available land for parks and forests, things necessary for a healthy planet. It would also discourage the unfair and cruel treatment that many farm animals experience in the process of becoming edible products. The goal of large corporations is to produce the most product in the least amount of time using the least amount of money possible, even if that means overlooking ethical practices. Many food corporations that specialize in meat products often mistreat the animals they use and force them to live their lives in miserable conditions. Oftentimes, “Cows, calves, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, and other animals are kept in small cages or stalls, where they are often unable to turn around”. (PETA) and “are fed drugs that fatten them more quickly, and they are genetically manipulated to grow fast or produce much more milk or eggs than they would naturally.” (PETA). It is a common misconception to think that food labeled “organic” do not use these practices; according to PETA, “since none of the labels applies to transport or slaughter and none prohibits bodily mutilations such as debeaking, tail-docking, ear-notching, or dehorning, the worst cruelty continues to be completely unregulated”. A quite common product found in many American households, milk, is obtained through questionable methods. Just like humans and all mammals, cows only produce milk when nursing their young. According to PETA, “Female cows are artificially inseminated shortly after their first birthdays. After giving birth, they lactate for 10 months and are then inseminated again, continuing the cycle. Some spend their entire lives standing on concrete floors; others are confined to massive, crowded lots, where they are forced to live amid their own feces.”. Artificial insemination of animals is unethical because their bodies are forced repeatedly to undergo drastic changes that strain the animal both mentally and physically. In a book on the ethics of veganism titled Farm to Fable by Robert Grillo, Grillo argues that artificial insemination is cruel because “All of this is done without the animal understanding why she is being violated or why her offspring are being taken away from her” (Grillo, 49). Furthermore, Grillo explains that oftentimes, the practice of insemination is unclean and ill-done as those doing it are often “farm workers who have little or no veterinary experience.” (Grillo, 49). Adopting a vegan diet boycotts malpractice like these and is more “ethical”. Since ethics vary from person to person and culture to culture, it is hard to set a standard for what is ethical and what is not. In an article titled “A Case for Ethical Veganism” by Tristram McPherson, McPherson makes a point that in some cases, veganism is not adopted because a person doesn’t believe animals should be consumed, but because they believe that the animal doesn’t have to suffer but deny that it is wrong to kill animals” (McPherson, A Case for Ethical Veganism). America uses animals in a capitalist manner; large food corporations chew them up and spit them out in large factories for a profit, without concern for how these animals are treated humanely. Since America is all about supply and demand, switching to veganism would ultimately lower the demand for animal products, and as a result, lower the number of animal products produced. Many Americans can agree that after watching Food Inc. and Supersize Me, documentaries that show the behind-the-scenes of how our most popular foods are made, that food production in the U.S. is very flawed and grotesque; yet despite this, many choose to turn a blind eye because, well, meat tastes good. Those who do switch to a vegan diet significantly reduce their ecological footprint and can rest with an easy conscious knowing that they are not supporting the unethical abuse of animals.

Considering all these pros, veganism may seem like an obvious choice. While it is the best solution for a healthy and earth-friendly life, there are drawbacks to this lifestyle that make it difficult for some people to commit to, such as difficulty sustaining a meat-centered society, a significant decrease in calories and certain nutrients, and social stigma. The capitalist structure of America is centered around making the highest profit in whatever way possible. The first drawback is the challenge that veganism presents in a capitalist society. American corporations are notorious for widescale greed and American citizens are notorious for omnivorous and fat-saturated diets, whether these fats are coming from fried meats or sugary treats. The United States Department of Agriculture makes information on the product for the beef public citizens. In 2015, the total U.S. beef consumption was 24.8 billion lbs. (USDA), proving that America has a huge appetite for cow meat. America has a meat-centered diet, and a few restaurants are conscious of a vegan lifestyle and do not offer vegan dishes. However, as veganism grows in popularity, more business has included vegan meals on their menus. Despite this, the majority of restaurants and even groceries in the United States, are not vegan-friendly. This makes it extremely difficult when dining out on a plant-based diet. Unless a meal is specified as vegan, vegans must be one hundred percent certain that every ingredient in the dish was derived from a plant and not an animal. Even dishes that are declared vegan are few and far between at restaurants and can leave vegans stranded with few measly options when dining out.

Another concern with opting for a vegan diet is the change in nutrition. It is a commonly known fact that meat is high in protein, and that protein is key in building muscle and maintaining good health. Mets also have high levels of iron in them, particularly red meats like beef and pork, which is essential to healthy blood cells and therefore a healthy immune system. Women especially need to maintain adequate iron levels due to loss of blood during menstruation (womenshealth.org). A woman with a vegan diet is more likely to suffer from an iron deficiency than a man with a vegan diet due to their lower levels of iron. The upside to this dilemma is that there are other plant-based foods high in iron. These foods include quinoa, spinach, dark chocolate, cereals and grains, squash, and more (myfooddata.com). Iron and protein are not the only things vegans must be sure to consume an adequate number of plant-based foods that tend to be less dense in calories than foods derived from animals. For example, 101 ounces of chicken contains approximately 197 calories, while 100 ounces of tofu contains 60 (twofoods.com). Vegan dishes are often significantly lower in calories than traditional dishes, meaning that vegans must be wary of eating enough calories and maintaining a healthy body mass index. It is possible that between the combination of less iron, less protein, and fewer calories, vegans are physically weaker than those who follow a traditional diet, and that healthy body weight cannot be maintained with a vegan diet.

One smaller and more somewhat subjective downside to veganism is the social stigma surrounding it. Veganism is seen as a very radical decision by many people who follow traditional diets. There are stereotypes that label vegans as “tree-huggers” “hippies” or “social justice warriors”. Vegans are sometimes portrayed as condescending and patronizing toward people with traditional diets. However, this is all a matter of opinion and can even interfere with political affiliation or religion.

There are pros and cons to transferring from a traditional omnivorous diet to a plant-based vegan diet. So, which outweighs the other? Is Veganism worthwhile? Veganism has many positive effects on both an individual’s bodily well-being and the environment with some drawbacks here and there. Veganism can lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of illness, assist in weight loss, and discourage unethical techniques utilized when getting animal products. In the end, it is your choice whether these things are worth the possible deficiencies in iron and protein, the subject and education necessary when dining out or cooking on a vegan diet, and the social stigma surrounding the whole deal. But if you are looking for a fitter body and a much better way to coexist with nature, veganism is obviously the thing to do.

Are you slim, fat, chubby, flat, obese, or excessively fat, don’t worry because worries wears you out. Now you can congratulate yourself for coming in contact with what you must have been looking for as I know that this is essential for every living human as far as you are concern. Yes you!

In this time and age you must have seen a lot of people, friends family and acquaintances who had issues and have come to bow and even given up on the issues they battled with for some members of years, I know you know what I am talking about. Okay, I would take a brief moment to write about vegan is about. And what should struck your mind whenever or wherever you come across the uncommon word vegan.

The word vegan could be related to a few things, it could be related to star, a group of people of some country side, a kind of person, or kind of food intake we consume on a daily basis. And here, you are going to see what vegan diet covers.

VEGAN DIET can be seen as some categories of food calories intake in the essence of daily consumables or edibles, a person who practices a vegan kind of dieting can called a vegan(s). Veganism is another word carved out of vegan, it is the act of indulging in vegan dieting simply put!… Let me tell you a quick story…

Once upon a time, there was a family of a friend of mine whom I cherished and loved so much, growing up was fun filled for us anyway, because we had all we wanted at the time we wanted. And people with different genetics, some people eat and get fat while others eat and never get fat. My family was well to do same as my friend’s family too, but my family seems to be a naturally detoxed family while my friend’s family seemed to the family with obesity and fatty acid effected, funny right!

I wondered why it was so until I personally dug deep and found out about vegan, what veganism or vegan dieting simply means, then I had to prescribe the contents of Veganism to my friend’s family. And to be sincere it was a precise details they needed and you also would need…

Vegan dieting simply are food that that contains all kind of vegetables and non dairy products, eggs no kind of meat, strictly vegetables and fruits…

As per vegan dietary, eat food contents made from plants, which includes:

• Fruits and vegetables.
• Legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Breads, rice, and pasta.
• Dairy alternatives such as soymilk, coconut milk, and almond milk.
• Vegetable oils

All these variety of food are essential as per any body kind is concerned, I would advise you to include your diets with VEGAN food varieties, good food healthy living!