What is being vegan and veganism?
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.
There are many ways to embrace vegan living. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey - as well as avoiding animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.
Why vegan?
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For the Animals
Despite the common belief that drinking milk or eating eggs does not kill animals, commercially-raised dairy cows and egg-laying chickens, factory-farmed or free range, are slaughtered when their production rates decline.
The same factory farm methods that are used to produce most meats are also used to produce most milk and eggs. These cows and chickens live their short lives caged, drugged, mutilated, and deprived of their most basic freedoms.
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For the Environment
Animal agriculture takes a devastating toll on the earth. It is an inefficient way of producing food, since feed for farm animals requires land, water, fertilizer, and other resources that could otherwise have been used directly for producing human food.
Animal agriculture’s dependence on higher yields accelerates topsoil erosion on our farmlands, rendering land less productive for crop cultivation, and forcing the conversion of wilderness to grazing and farm lands. Animal waste from massive feedlots and factory farms are a leading cause of pollution in our groundwater and rivers.
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For your Health
The consumption of animal fats and animal proteins has been linked to heart disease, colon and lung cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, obesity, and a number of other debilitating conditions (cows’ milk contains ideal amounts of fat and protein for young calves, but far too much for humans).
Eggs are higher in cholesterol than any other food, making them a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease. The American Dietetic Association reports that vegetarian/vegan diets are associated with reduced risks for all of these conditions.
Vegan foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans, are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are rich in fiber and nutrients. Vegans can get all the protein they need from legumes (e.g., beans, tofu, peanuts) and grains (e.g., rice, corn, whole wheat breads and pastas); calcium from broccoli, kale, collard greens, tofu, fortified juices and soy milks; iron from chickpeas, spinach, pinto beans, and soy products; and B12 from fortified foods or supplements.
With planning, a vegan diet can provide all the nutrients we need without any animal products.
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To Figth Hunger
Land is being used to grow food to feed to animals who are then raised and slaughtered to feed to people. It is an inefficient system and it's not working. We have food insecurity in one of the wealthiest nations in the world because of this inefficiency. As the population grows, there will not be enough land to sustain animals raised for food at the same rate. Converting land over to growing food for people provides more available protein, is better for the environment, and better for the animals.
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For Better Job Opportunities
Slaughterhouse work is among the most dangerous and underpaid work in the U.S. Approximately 38% of slaughterhouse workers were born outside of the U.S. and are undocumented. Therefore they are not afforded the same rights or a voice. They are often forced to work with injuries, without bathroom breaks, and under the threat of being fired or deported. In addition to this hazardous work, we also have evidence of the mental and emotional impacts on these workers with higher risks of depression, anger, and PTSD. No one wants to work in these unsafe and disturbing environments however, for some, this is their only option. Our demand for more plants and less animal products drives the industry toward plant farming and away from animal factory farming.
