Veganism
Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
Preparation
‘All life deserves respect, dignity and compassion. All life.’ – Anthony Douglas Williams
What is veganism and what do vegans do?
Vegans try to live, as much as possible, in a way that avoids exploiting and being cruel to animals. This means following a plant-based diet. Vegans do not eat animals or animal-based products like meat, fish, seafood, eggs, honey and dairy products such as cheese. For many vegans, living a committed vegan lifestyle means not wearing clothes made from animal skins and avoiding any products which have been tested on animals.
How are vegans different from vegetarians?
Vegetarians don’t eat meat or fish but they can eat eggs, honey and dairy products, but vegans don’t eat any animal-based food products. Vegans argue that suffering is caused in the production of these foods, for example they say that, on some dairy farms, male calves are killed because they are too expensive to keep, and on some farms, cows are killed when they get older and produce less milk. Similarly, on some egg farms, male chicks are killed because they do not produce eggs. As for honey, vegans say that bees make honey for bees, not for humans, and that bees’ health can suffer when humans take the honey from them. Vegans believe that the products they use and consume should be free from not just cruelty but any exploitation of animals.
When did veganism start?
The Vegan Society was founded in 1944, but there is evidence of people deciding not to consume animal products over 2,000 years ago. The sixth-century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras was in favour of kindness to all species, and his diet could be described as vegetarian. There was a tradition of vegetarianism in the Indus Valley, Babylonian and ancient Egyptian civilisations even earlier. The Vegan Society points out that in 1806, the famous romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the first people to publicly object to eating eggs and dairy products on moral grounds.
Why do many people decide to become vegan?
For many people, the main reason for going vegan is probably that they believe that animals and all other sentient beings should have the right to life and freedom. However, there are other reasons. Vegans argue that the production of meat and other animal products is very bad for the environment. They point out that a huge quantity of water is needed to grow grain to feed animals in the meat industry. The enormous amount of grain which the meat industry needs often leads to forests being cut down and habitats being lost. In contrast, much lower quantities of grain and water are needed to sustain a vegan diet. In addition, many vegans say that all the nutrients our bodies need are contained in a carefully planned vegan diet and that this type of diet helps prevent some diseases.
What is World Vegan Day?
On 1 November every year, vegans all over the world celebrate their way of life. There are workshops, exhibitions and public debates on World Vegan Day, and it is a wonderful opportunity for anybody thinking of becoming a vegan to learn more about the subject.
Sources:
I don't consider becoming a vegan, but, over the years, I have eaten fewer meat and I have increased a dose of vegetables in my diet.
Hello everyone! I have been vegan for almost 3 years for the animals. I think that was one of the greatest choices of my life. We should treat all animals with respect. If you love your dog or cat, why should you eat another animal who is basically the same as your pets? Neither do I want to digest inside me dead parts of the animals.
We have achieved such progress which allows us to live without exploating the animals. We have shops, pharmacies, cloths technology and all other we need to live comfortably and safe.
Yes, at first it is not easy. The main thing is it is possible.
Good luck!
I reckon all kind of life is important and has an inherent value, but It doesn't means that I can't eat meat. I know, in some grade, about all the suffering animals have to feel because human industry and I have to say that I hate that. Nevertheless, as a human I have the option to decide what I prefer to it and if I decide to eat meat that doesn't make me a bad person, just a person. In the same line I consider that become a vegan for the wellheath of the animals is not the solution in the long term,though it is usefull to be aware of the problem. In fact there is a problem and the only way to solve it is if vegans and no vegans work together for better conditions to animals.
While I would never want any life to be lost or exploited because of me, not even an insect, I have never considered becoming a vegan or vegetarian.
On the other hand, I try to have a balanced diet based on minimal consumption of meat and dairy products.
Eating meat once or twice a week at most is enough.
I admire what vegans do and I hope we find the strength to follow their example or minimize in our diet what we cruelly take from animals.
I don't consider veganism as a balanced choice. Even if we all decide to go for veganism, the quantity of plant-based food to be produced to achieve the same nutrition level for the whole population will have a huge impact on the environment and many wildlife animals and ecosystems will be displaced for growing crops.
I am vegetarian, it's good for health also. I am also trying to be a vegan.
Well, I think the veganism is a very brave and kindness choice life, because consider all types of life and they say We all be import for equally.
I consider myself a vegetarian person but not a vegan one. I love the benefits of an organic diet since I've been taking care of myself, about what I eat, I feel full of beans, more cheerful, and my health got better.
One of the reasons I've been learning about vegan or vegetarian diets it's that I love animals and I'm interested and saving and taking care of the ecosystems.
Even though I love animals I do respect people who like eating meat, I know they are not committing a crime, and I do respect traditions and ways of living. Despite that, I agree to share information and take part in movements against cruelty to animals or explain ways to take care of nature.
I'm not sure about becoming a vegan one day because I'm used to eating eggs and dairy products and becoming vegan means spending too much money on a diet.
My slide of advice is never to stop reading and learning about the newest articles about nutrition, vegetarian or vegan diets, and the different ways that we can help to take care of nature. Being a vegan or vegetarian person means always learning and being curious and responsible about giving opinions.
yes i'm a vegeterian and can consider being a Vegan.
I think that the vegan diet has to be expensive. I mean that to maintain a properly level of protein during the day require is a very complicated products, which are really high-priced. But the other side there is clearly evidence the veganism is good for health, becouse the animal based products almost always contain a additional ingredients,which have bad impact on our body functioning.