why are you vegan? Just curious. Is it more cuz you don't want to eat animals, or is this your way of objecting to the slaughter and "inhuman" treatment?
2007-11-20 10:50:38 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
I'm a flexi. I don't consume mass-farmed animal products for a number of reasons. I don't think they're entirely ethical, I don't think they promote a natural and healthy diet, I don't think it's environmentally sound, and I don't think it particularly tastes that great.
I'm not a strict vegan for the same reasons. Additionally, I get an extra bonus: while I can use my dollars to vote "no" to an industry that I'm not fond of, I can also use them to support an industry that I think is helping offset the negative consequences.
As for ethics and nature, I don't trust food that requires a lot of chemicals. I think that animals should be able to survive and thrive without them. I don't really object to the use of medicine when an animal is sick, but I think as a preventative measure it is unneeded. Ditto for hormones. If an animal isn't thriving without these, there's something wrong with the environment in which they are living. An additional problem I have with the mass-production farms is the volume. I believe they encourage an unhealthy proportion of meat and animal products in our diet. There is no question that we're disposed towards an omnivorous diet, but it's equally obvious that the average American eats way, way too much.
For the environment, I think it's pretty self-explanatory. Most organic, natural farms don't totally eliminate this, but there are farms out there that do have minimal impact on the environment... even less, I'd argue, than some plant-only farms.
2007-11-20 11:58:17 · answer #1 · answered by Julia S 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The three main arguments you will usually get for veganism revolve around concerns for animal rights and the inhumane treatment of animals raised for food, the health benefits in being vegan, and the environmental damage that is being done by animal agribusiness.
For me, it is a combination of all of those reasons, among other things. Most important for me, is that I am horrified by factory farming (if you don't know anything about it, you can easily google it to learn more), and do not want to be a part of an industry that tortures and abuses animals just to satisfy people's craving for meat. It is an industry plagued by corruption and exploitation and I find it absolutely sickening.
Also, I find that I simply enjoy food more than I used to when I ate meat. I am more aware of where my food came from and how it is interconnected with the world around me. I seek to reduce my impact on the planet as much as is possible and by becoming vegan, that is taking a huge step toward that end.
Obviously, I can only speak for myself, but those are my reasons. And I love being vegan :-)
2007-11-20 11:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by Veganista 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I figured it was hypocritical for me to be against animal cruelty but support the egg and dairy (and in turn, veal) industries, which I now know are crueler than the meat industry. Along the way I picked up knowledge of the health benefits, along with the knowledge that cows don't just spontaneously produce milk; dairy is breast milk for baby calves & eggs are produced for the chickens.
When you know better, you do better.
2007-11-20 21:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a vegetarian heading towards veganism and it's for health reasons.
Read 'Skinny B*tch' - Google it.
2007-11-20 11:59:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are too many reasons to go into here but the main reason is I don't want to gain pleasure from something else's pain.
2007-11-20 11:36:55 · answer #5 · answered by jenny84 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I like the ultra cool title. It sounds badass and hardcore.
2007-11-20 11:35:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋