Veganism: Is it Worth It?
As the United States, and the world in general, plunges into a more environmentally aware state, more and more people are taking up a more eco-and animal-friendly lifestyle. Many are attempting to find acceptable ways to promote these lifestyles. Some have found comfort and stability in a specialized diet and lifestyle. This dietary life is called veganism. Some even extend their veganism even further, to extend past just a diet, and encompass animal rights and equality. These people call themselves “ethical vegans.” But what exactly is an ethical vegan, how can you become one, and is it worth the time and effort to be one?
A vegan is simply one who omits, from his or her life, the consumption of meat. They choose not to eat the flesh of other living things for a number of reasons. These reasons can include advocation of animal rights thus not harming them by eating them, alternative medicinal practice in the case of disease or sickness, or simply just choosing a healthy diet. An ethical vegan takes the diet and implements the advocation of animal rights in not just their diet, but also in their daily functioning. They accomplish this by not partaking in the use or purchasing of animal byproducts, like eggs, silks, leather, etc. The animal activist group P.E.T.A. is the prime, and most extreme, example of ethical veganism.
Knowing what a vegan is, is not enough to just become one overnight. Becoming a vegan can be one of the most difficult trials of some people’s lives. I know from experience that taking meats out of your diet is very, very hard. I have been a pescatarian for a while, and it took me a long time to wean myself off of red meats and poultry, although I do eat fish to keep a balanced, protein-filled diet. I cannot tell you how to become a vegan, mainly because I do not know how to safely and correctly. But, I can tell you what benefits doing so has. The health benefits of veganism alone are astronomical. A low fat and low cholesterol diet lowers the levels of fat and cholesterol in the body over time. These lower levels of harmful substances actually prolong the health of your heart and cardiovascular system. The “green diet,” as some call it, has been known to improve symptoms of diabetes, and event prevent type-two diabetes. The ethical portion, if you choose to uphold the ideology and practices, can be beneficial in the fight for animal rights and a more eco-friendly world in the future.
To put the validity and worth of veganism into question is unnecessary, although common. It is not difficult to tell that I fully advocate and support the vegan lifestyle, but your opinion is your own. To overlook the economic and health benefits is a mistake that should not be made as much as it is. There is nothing wrong with a no-meat diet, but to some it is completely off-putting. Some will say that it is very expensive or “impossible because of the lack of abundance of organic or vegan foods.” The truth, however, will tell you differently. Vegan foods and products are currently becoming more and more available in grocery stores and marketplaces, let alone local farmer’s markets. This abundance and availability actually lowers the cost of vegan goods, to that of non-vegan products.
So, take into consideration the information that I have portrayed to you. If you truly believe that veganism is for you, then act upon it. It will be worth it, I guarantee it.
A vegan is simply one who omits, from his or her life, the consumption of meat. They choose not to eat the flesh of other living things for a number of reasons. These reasons can include advocation of animal rights thus not harming them by eating them, alternative medicinal practice in the case of disease or sickness, or simply just choosing a healthy diet. An ethical vegan takes the diet and implements the advocation of animal rights in not just their diet, but also in their daily functioning. They accomplish this by not partaking in the use or purchasing of animal byproducts, like eggs, silks, leather, etc. The animal activist group P.E.T.A. is the prime, and most extreme, example of ethical veganism.
Knowing what a vegan is, is not enough to just become one overnight. Becoming a vegan can be one of the most difficult trials of some people’s lives. I know from experience that taking meats out of your diet is very, very hard. I have been a pescatarian for a while, and it took me a long time to wean myself off of red meats and poultry, although I do eat fish to keep a balanced, protein-filled diet. I cannot tell you how to become a vegan, mainly because I do not know how to safely and correctly. But, I can tell you what benefits doing so has. The health benefits of veganism alone are astronomical. A low fat and low cholesterol diet lowers the levels of fat and cholesterol in the body over time. These lower levels of harmful substances actually prolong the health of your heart and cardiovascular system. The “green diet,” as some call it, has been known to improve symptoms of diabetes, and event prevent type-two diabetes. The ethical portion, if you choose to uphold the ideology and practices, can be beneficial in the fight for animal rights and a more eco-friendly world in the future.
To put the validity and worth of veganism into question is unnecessary, although common. It is not difficult to tell that I fully advocate and support the vegan lifestyle, but your opinion is your own. To overlook the economic and health benefits is a mistake that should not be made as much as it is. There is nothing wrong with a no-meat diet, but to some it is completely off-putting. Some will say that it is very expensive or “impossible because of the lack of abundance of organic or vegan foods.” The truth, however, will tell you differently. Vegan foods and products are currently becoming more and more available in grocery stores and marketplaces, let alone local farmer’s markets. This abundance and availability actually lowers the cost of vegan goods, to that of non-vegan products.
So, take into consideration the information that I have portrayed to you. If you truly believe that veganism is for you, then act upon it. It will be worth it, I guarantee it.