Why Vegan?
March 27, 2007 by Renee
Check out my posts in the veganism & animal rights categories, such as:
The Thinking Animal: compassion beyond “pets”
An Inefficient Truth: veganism lowers your ecological footprint
Further info…
I became vegan for the health and well-being of animals. The fact that veganism has so many health benefits for me as well is a pleasant side-effect, but it’s not the primary reason why I am vegan. A “dietary vegan” is more correctly a “strict vegetarian.” Veganism is not just a diet - it encompasses all areas of life. Vegans avoid animal by-products not only in food but also in clothing and cosmetic products, and avoid anything that’s been tested on animals as well. Treating animals as commodities to be exploited, used and abused rather than as the thinking, feeling, breathing beings that they are is just not cool… in fact, it’s repugnant, which is why I don’t support those industries that exploit and abuse animals. Instead, I support animal rights and the end of bigotry and violence against non-human animals. Part of that involves food choices, but it is certainly not the be all and end all.
Other minor reasons - on an environmental level: animal industries pollute more than all other industries combined (yes, including automotive). On a health level: vegans are less susceptible to many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (check out the largest study on nutrition ever conducted for more information - The China Study by T Colin Campbell - or the work of Dr John McDougall and Dr John Robbins). Vegans often have a lot more stamina, and many elite athletes follow vegan diets while in training. And yes, we get plenty of protein - I’m a rockclimber, I should know!
Protecting the rights and health of animals also, appropriately, protects one’s own health and the health of the planet… and it tastes damn good, too!
Here are a few links to start with:
The basics:
Vegan.org: About Veganism - for animals, environment, & health
Veganhealth.org: vegan health & nutrition information
Vegan FAQ: ethics, health, etcWhere to get fed & stuff:
Happy Cow: World Dining Guide for veg*ns
Cruelty-free Shop, Australia
Vegan Essentials, USA
International Vegan Society, UK
Veg*n Network, Victoria, Australia
Veg*n Society, Queensland, AustraliaRadio, recipe books/forums, and film:
Vegan Freak Radio
The Post Punk Kitchen
Earthlings: documentary filmMy Other Blogs:
Vegan Eats World - a soundbite-style record of my eating habits, as an answer to the age-old question: “what the hell does a vegan eat, anyway?” (Short answer: thousands of tasty plants, combinations of plants, and plant derivatives. Long answer: see Vegan Eats World. Also contains some coffee/cafe/restaurant reviews and ratings, and other random/relevant comments.)
This is by no means an exhaustive list!
Some folks are obsessed with whether or not a vegan diet is “natural.” What does human biology indicate? Here’s a neat little chart comparing digestive systems that’s worth a gander.
[...] Why Vegan? [...]
I highly recommend reading The China Study as well. Turns out animal protein is hugely responsible for cancer rates. Who knew?! Written by a doctor who grew up on a meat and dairy farm who was originally looking for ways to produce meat more efficiently and through his research wondered why disease rates increased in more affluent areas of the globe, then conducted the most comprehensive study, in conjunction with Yale and Cornell Universities, on diet and it’s link to disease ever done. Easy to read, too.
You can not only be kind to the planet and other beings (who have feelings, just not language as you know it) but kind to your body and longevity as well!
THAT’S WHY.
I just wanted to say THANKS for the informative blog. I’m trying to start a vegan inspired blog myself, nice to see one that is so well done!