I’m vegan.
The first question annoyingly asked by many upon hearing this is “oh my god, what do you eat?” I’ve finally decided that trying to list every foodstuff that I enjoy is pointlessly tiresome, and that “well, plants…” is a better answer.
For those wanting elaboration, I suggest listening to this song.
The second question is usually “why?” and this is more interesting and more long-winded. This blog post is an attempt at a concise and lucid answer.
Firstly, I feel that the conditions in which farm animals live (and die) are incredibly cruel, and I don’t wish to condone this practice in any way. Even with organic and free-range farming, the welfare standards are not high enough in my mind. It is just a case of bad rather than barbaric.
Secondly, the environmental impact of farming animals is shockingly high. The industry is fuel, water and chemical intensive, and creates a large amount of pollution. It is also unsustainable for everyone on this planet to eat animal foods, as it takes up so much more land than a plant based diet. It may have been workable in other parts of history, but for the modern day it is not an efficient or fair use of land and resources.
*
Once you’re used to being vegan it’s really not hard at all. I have been for about 5 years now and I find it perfectly easy. I don’t really see why people struggle so much. Plus it’s healthier, as long as you have some basic ideas about nutrition, which I do.
Anyway here’s an example of what I might eat in a typical day:
Breakfast: bananas on toast.
Lunch: minestrone soup with bread.
Dinner: vegan sausages, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables.
Snacks: biscuits, fruit.
Drinks: water, juice, hot chocolate (with soya milk).
I don’t see any major self-sacrifice in that to be honest.
The only real advantage to eating meat, dairy etc is that you might like the taste of it. And that’s fair enough, but is it really worth it?
*
Of course you don’t have to agree with me, this was just me explaining my reasoning. But take a moment to consider that although you are entitled to your own opinion, animals and the Earth are apparently, not. They don’t get the choice.
Earth Baby 