Vegans: Why not vegetarianism?

I’m vegetarian but I can admit that the dairy industry is pretty darn cruel. If vegan for ethical reasons it would be that it is still purporting animal exploitation.

I went vegetarian first, and then cut dairy (went vegan). My skin improved dramatically with no dairy, so I stuck with it.

I first cut dairy because of the negative health impacts it was having on me. Then I decided to go completely vegan when I learned more about the industry and how poorly the animals are treated. I just stopped eating meat and eggs immediately and haven’t looked back since. Best choice I’ve ever made. My health is better and I feel better.

I was motivated when I learned that a vegan diet can reduce chronic pain and inflammation levels, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. My dad died at 58 (4 years older than I am now) and had a quadruple bypass, diabetes, and colon cancer. As I moved into my 50s, my blood work indicated that I was at risk. I also live with a spinal cord injury which causes chronic pain. The first month was rough as my body adapted to a higher consumption of vegetables, beans, and whole grains but within two months big changes began. I did not get any colds during the winter, my blood sugar levels are steady, I am rarely hungry between meals, I need less pain medication, and I have dropped 12 pounds without feeling hungry. My blood pressure dropped 20 points into the normal range, my cholesterol and triglycerides also dropped, and I feel great. It feels like my body said, "Finally, you are eating the way you were designed to eat." I take supplemental B vitamins, EPA, and track my calcium, iron, and protein to avoid any nutritional deficiencies. I actually eat a more varied diet now than I did as an omnivore. Lots of vegetables, whole grains, greens, beans, soy foods, spices, and savory options available. My only regret is that I did not start eating this way earlier in my life.

I would disagree with the poster above that vegetarianism for ethical reasons doesn't make much sense. I think every little thing we can do as individuals is AMAZING and a step in the right direction. Imagine if everyone did just one thing instead of such a small population of us doing it all and not making a dent. I say do what you can and push yourself - learn your willpower. I have been vegetarian for 27 years and about 4 of them Vegan. 2 years ago my son (now 11) went vegan and so I am also vegan 2 weeks out of the month. I feel that is still better than consuming as much as I was before. And before I started dieting 3 months ago I ate a more normal amount those two weeks but now that I am counting calories I just cut out a lot of the dairy anyways because of the calories as well.

If it's too hard at least still do something if you can. Trust me it adds up! And it's still a marked improvement on your health than if you were doing nothing at all!

stricklee11 wrote: »

Why did you choose to be vegan over being a vegetarian? Was it a gradual shift?

Veganism is an ethical choice that goes well beyond diet. Vegans do not consume or use animal products or products that are tested on animals, etc....no leather or wool...certain cosmetics are off limits, etc.

I think going vegan for ethical reasons is a great choice. However, it's simply not factually accurate that consuming dairy makes it harder to lose weight (unless for some reason you can't control the calories you consume with dairy), and I think it's unethical to spread untrue things in order to convince people to make the decision you want them to make. Far better to argue the reasons why you think veganism is preferable based on the reasons you made the choice.

And as for almond milk and calcium, it's supplemented, so you might as well take a calcium supplement.