A vegan lifestyle is a lifestyle that doesn’t use animal products in its food, clothing, or accessories. More and more people are going vegan these days and as a result, more companies are investing in vegan products. It is ‘normal’ to eat meat, but should we continue to do what we have always done because it is ‘normal’?
Everyone has different reasons for going vegan but here are a few reasons to consider going vegan.
Having An Ethical Lifestyle
Having an ethical lifestyle is the most common reason why people choose to go vegan. Many people believe that animals have the same right to live as we do. They are here to live with us and not for us.
Many animals are born just to be used for food and accessories and they suffer horribly during this time. Some animals are given little space to live. They are packed into rooms and enclosures that are too small and not well maintained or ventilated. Many farm animals are often modified to be larger or produce more. This can be painful for the animals and can lead to other problems with the animal.
Animals may not be able to vocalise their views or their pain, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have any. It doesn’t mean we are better and should be able to use them for what we want.
The term ‘veganism’ was first used in 1944 however the idea of having a diet without animal products for ethical reasons has existed for thousands of years. The ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras was a vegetarian and believed humans should not be seen as more valuable than animals.
Having A Healthier Lifestyle
Many people choose a vegan lifestyle because they believe it is healthier. Generally speaking, the vegan diet is healthier however you still have to make good choices. Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers have risk factors that include high levels of animal products. But you still need to eat lots of fruit and veg to get the required vitamins and minerals.
The vegan diet can also be healthier as there are fewer options for vegans in terms of both fast food and junk food. If there are fewer opportunities to eat healthy food you will naturally have a healthier diet.
Some studies have even shown that a vegan diet results in an increase in exercise performance. Athletes such as Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams opt for a vegan diet to help their performance.
Having a healthy lifestyle is not just about what we eat but also what we are not consuming by avoiding animal products. Many animals are given hormones and antibiotics which can still be present when you eat them. The mass use of antibiotics in livestock is a factor in global antibiotic resistance.
Making A Better Environment
Another popular reason for becoming vegan is to help the environment. Cattle farming is one of the major factors in emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. If we don’t have the need to farm as many cattle, we can help reverse global warming.
Cattle farming has also led to declining numbers of several other species. Between 480,000km of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed to make space for cattle farms. This means other species are losing their habitats and food source.
A vegan diet is also better for the environment as it has a much lower carbon footprint than an animal-based diet.
Why Should You Go Vegan?
There are many reasons you could consider going vegan. No reason is any more important than the rest and everyone has their own reason for being vegan.
Being vegan is a big decision and whatever reason you have for becoming vegan, make sure you do your research to ensure you are still getting a balanced diet. If you want to go vegan but are unsure if you can do it, try cutting down on animal products first. Start by replacing products one at a time at a rate you feel comfortable.
