Is it really hard to become a vegan? I would like to take this stand for Animal Rights.?

Answer 1

It is very difficult to become vegan. I have known several vegetarians in my life, and all of them admit that they could never go so far as to become vegan. Essentially, you'd be giving up anything made from animal products: dairy, many salad dressings, eating out at restaurants, etc. Not only do you have to look at what you're eating (and every single ingredient), but how it was cooked.

Personally, I love nature and I'm now changing careers to work with animals and educate the public. Although I agree that modern agri-business is horribly unethical and inhumane, I could never understand the "vegetarian/vegan for moral reasons" argument. It's good to boycott companies that treat their animals inhumanely, but humans are natural omnivores and require animal products in their diet ... or at least heavy supplementation for the proteins and fats. And anyway, life is life ... whether it's plant or animal. The other thing is that every other aspect of our culture relies on the destruction of natural habitat for economic gain. If you really care about animal rights, logically the most prudent method would involve boycotting everything about your own culture. Live the life of a minimalist, in every way imaginable. That's how I try to live. Admittedly, I have my own vices: my computer, DVDs, and books. But otherwise, I only eat enough to stay alive and function, I only buy what I *need* (no excess clothing or furnishings around the house), I try to cut my energy consumption, keep only a small pet (a rat), have few or no children, etc. I honestly feel that if you want to protest, first learn about the real ecological situation on this planet, how your culture affects it, and then make your statement throughout your entire life.

I'll get off my soapbox now. ;-)

Answer 2

@topic: The infrastructure and social attitudes of most developed nations makes it artificially difficult to become vegan, but I didn't think it to be hard at all.

@ascarta2: It has nothing to do with cuteness, innocence, or helplessness. You are arguing a subject you've done no research on. The reason why "bugs" are excluded is because I know of no bug capable of having a subjective experience of pain. It's pretty simple. Barely mentioning that "bugs" aren't "animals" in the way you're using the word.

@suzieq: It's good to see some people still worshipping Ares, Greek god of war. He's the only god that would condone unnecessary confinement, pain and death--doesn't sound like the thoughts of a "loving, compassionate" God to me.

@[e-mail]: No, a vegan is someone who doesn't eat any animal products...although I suppose you do have a point in that whatever a person eats most of time, you could classify them as. Someone who only rarely eats meat certainly wouldn't be on the same level as someone who eats it every day.

@Janey: How is that any different from saying "God wants us to be vegans, because vegetables are plants." That is, it doesn't make any sense. Two problems: (1) your religion doesn't dictate the actions of everyone else, and (2) your God prefers death and pain to compassion and honoring all creation? That sounds wonderful.

Answer 3

It all depends on where you are starting from. If you are already a vegetarian, then you will just need to cut out the dairy and eggs. A vegan eats no animal products what so ever. My husband is vegan (for health reasons), the rest of us are lacto-ovo vegetarians.

It can be hard in the begining -- reading every label on the things you purchase, reading and learning how to get your protien from non-animal sources, learning to cook a bit differently. Once you get into it though, it gets easier. We now know what things to buy on a regular basis and read, read, read when we want to try something new.

Go with your gut as to what you feel is right and wrong. Good luck!

Answer 4

A vegan is someone that eat meats once in a while right ?, but more vegetables and fruit than anything else. I am one of those people, I feel the craving for meat that I just can't shake. Usually if I have a headache or feel weak and I need meat to make me feel better. I eat things like canned chicken, Sirloin Burger w/ veggies, or lunch meat. But not often. I do eat a lot of homemade fruit smooties, cereal and fruit bars, cereal with fruit and really try to stay away from meat as much as I can.

Answer 5

don't listen to ignorance. most people are threatened by change.

i made a gradual change into being vegetarian - are you there yet? it will be a challenge if you are used to certain foods. i happen to love cheese - so it's hard to let go of some foods. there are eggs in LOTS of things that you wouldn't normally think.
once you get going though, it shouldn't be that bad. there are plenty of products out there to substitute for your fave foods - like soy cheese, etc. don't be discouraged if you try something you don't like - taste varies so much brand-to-brand that it's worth trying something else. it can be a pain to read labels, but for the sake of your integrity & your values it is worth it.
definitely go to your local natural foods store (if you have one), or at least do some searching online. at the store, there will be plenty of people who are already vegan that will help you on your way. they will also let you sample a lot of foods before you buy them.
if you're not ready to take the leap - look online for brands & products that are "animal friendly". if that's what feels right to you, by all means go for it.
besides, our bodies weren't meant to digest all the meat most people eat. and with how processed & jacked up food is these days, your body will thank you!
also- check on books called "eat right for your type". It is a theory that based on your blood type, you should eat certain kinds of foods. for example, if you are an "O" type - the most ancient "hunter, gatherer" bloodline, you need to eat some kind of animal protein - some people with this type blood have become ill as a result of a no-meat diet.

Answer 6

Well a true vegan eats no meat products and no meat by-products such as eggs, milk, butter, cheese etc... if those things will be too hard to give up, then just go vegetarian, and don't eat meat. I know some veggies that still eat fish so they don't lose quite so much protein.

Answer 7

@Kyle Key: You're wrong, bugs, and insects for that matter, are members of the Animal Kingdom.

Kingdom : Anamalia
Phylum : Athropoda
Class : Insecta

And that class contains all the insects. The Athropoda phylum also contains things like millipedes, spiders, scorpions, crustaceans etc.

Although that has little bearing on anything.

Answer 8

It is hard starting a vegan diet but you do get used to it. I eat a lot of salads, fruit, beans, pasta. I love hummus which I put on whole wheat pita bread. I eat a lot of cereal and oatmeal. I do get very bored and I still have to cook meat for my husband who refuses to eat vegan. Thanksgiving is a hard day for me. I am now looking through my closet and all of those leather shoes and jackets, they have to go. I feel to guilty to wear them.

Answer 9

certainly I grew up in an rather meat "committed" kin. sounds like very week there would be a fish fry picnic of a few style somewhat in the time of the looking season the place venison stands out as the main considerable function. yet I under no circumstances did like the style of meat all that lots and exceptionally lots feasted on the part dishes. My mothers and fathers took all of it in stride. a number of my cousins tease me each and all of the time yet that's what cousins gain this it under no circumstances afflicted me all that lots. My siblings have been all high quality with it. actually they liked that there became greater of the "solid stuff" for them. None of my siblings are vegetarians nor are my mothers and fathers. I grew to alter right into a "finished blown" vegetarian as quickly as I became 18. Why did I do it? For no particular reason on the initiating. It became only a organic progression. although i became already conscious of a number of goings on interior the beef industry, it became in this time that i began out to empathize greater with the suffering that animals would desire to circulate by using. It became additionally around this time that I grew to alter into greater energetic with environmental themes. because of fact that then, i've got desperate that whilst meat eating is regular and appropriate for many folk, I on the different hand can not enable yet another animal to die for me. no longer knocking different human beings's possibilities somewhat omnivores. yet meat eating heavily isn't for me anymore. I certainly have a daughter and that i'm elevating her as an omnivore until she is sufficiently old to be allowed to make a number of her very own possibilities.. My husband is an omni as nicely.

Answer 10

no it cant be that hard im close to being vegan except for the fact that i eat eggs for the proteinand i might try to stop that.