Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.
One survey found a 300 percent increase in the number of people identifying as vegans from 2004 to 2019.
Sarah Halliday, Unsplash
When you hear the word vegan you might think of tofu and Tofurkey or perhaps
fresh vegetables and beans. But did you know that veganism can actually be
much more than a diet? A growing movement of vegans focuses on the goal of
doing no harm as far as is practical. Toward this end, adherents abstain
from certain types of clothing and activities, as well as foods.
What Is a Vegan?
Though veganism is often thought of as a diet that excludes all animal
products, choosing to be vegan can also mean more far-reaching lifestyle
changes. Living a vegan lifestyle means abstaining, as far as is possible
and practical, from anything that requires the exploitation of another
living being. Of course, this includes abstaining from consuming animal
products, but also requires attention to clothes, makeup, and many other
facets of life.
Vegan Numbers Are Growing Rapidly
Perhaps one of the most evident changes related to the rise in veganism is
the increase in vegan food products. There are vegan alternatives available
for virtually every product traditionally made from animal derivatives such
as cheese, milk, meat, and eggs. This rise in availability has been driven
by an increase in the number of vegans in the United States; one survey
found a 300 percent increase in the number of people identifying as vegans
from 2004 to 2019.
There Is So Much More to the Vegan Lifestyle Than Just the Food
Choosing to follow a vegan lifestyle means more than simply giving up foods
made from animal derivatives, it also means making a concerted effort to
live without harming other sentient beings. This means abstaining from
wearing or purchasing leather or other products made from animals, choosing
products that are cruelty-free and not tested on animals, choosing forms of
entertainment that do not employ animals, and even making landscaping
decisions that minimize the negative impact on wildlife.
Though a vegan diet might be adhered to for a variety of reasons such as for
personal health or preference, a vegan lifestyle requires empathy and
compassion due to the ideology of doing no harm that it represents.
Displaying Personal Conviction Through Action
Adopting a vegan lifestyle demonstrates to those around us that we are
serious about our love of animals and our belief that their suffering should
be minimized. Living our values and walking the walk instead of just talking
the talk is one of the most impactful things that we can do as animal
advocates.
Acting on Your Love of Animals
Choosing a vegan lifestyle is a tangible, personal action that builds real
effects from your love of animals, as it minimizes, as much as is possible
and practical, the negative impacts that your choices have on nonhuman
animals.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of the Animal Industry
Living a vegan lifestyle means that you are not contributing to the many
negative environmental impacts of the animal industry. These impacts include
deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas production.
Embracing the Idea of “Do No Harm”
A key pillar of a vegan lifestyle is to do no harm. Adherents seek to
minimize as much as is practicable the harm that they cause to the
environment and animals. Another key facet of doing no harm is seeking to
reduce the harm caused to other people, including those working in animal
agriculture. The precarious employees of factory farms and slaughterhouses
often endure dangerous working conditions and can have their injuries
ignored.
Holding All Lives as Sacred
Part of living a vegan lifestyle is recognizing that all sentient beings
deserve a fulfilling life free of suffering. This recognition is the driving
force behind adopting and maintaining a vegan lifestyle.
In addition to the many positive impacts that adopting a vegan lifestyle has
on the environment and animals, there are also several personal benefits
that stem from choosing to follow a vegan lifestyle.
Reduced Risk of Diabetes
Eating a vegan diet, particularly a whole-food plant-based diet, has been
found to reduce, and even reverse, diabetes in some patients. A key tenet of
a vegan lifestyle, adopting a plant-based diet could result in a reduction
in diabetes risk. If seeking to reduce the risk of diabetes when adopting a
plant-based diet, consult with a physician to create an appropriate plan for
your needs.
Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Plant-based foods have no cholesterol in them and tend to be lower in
saturated fats than animal-based food products. These factors can lead to
positive outcomes and reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
However, vegans must be cautious when choosing carbohydrates, as refined
options can actually increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
Choosing a whole-food plant-based diet as part of a vegan lifestyle is the
healthiest option for vegans.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Research has suggested that vegans are 15 percent less likely to get cancer.
Choosing to eat a plant-based diet, especially one made up primarily of
whole foods, can be considered a preventive diet that reduces the risk of
cancer but does not necessarily elongate lifespan.
Improved Mood
Both eating whole foods and eating a vegan or vegetarian diet have been
linked to more positive moods. This may well be due to the impacts of
plant-based foods on the brain, specifically reducing inflammation of brain
cells and restoring balance to neurotransmitters.
Healthier Skin
Adopting a vegan diet, particularly a whole-food plant-based diet, can
decrease skin aging. The diet provides essential vitamins including Vitamins
A, C, and E that maximize antioxidant potential in the body’s cells. The
diet also helps to eliminate harmful carcinogens in the bloodstream, which
prevents some cellular damage.
Connecting With the Community
Adopting a vegan lifestyle creates a connection to a community of other
like-minded individuals that can help on the journey of doing no harm to
other living beings. There are opportunities for connecting to this
community virtually through various organizations, such as Mercy for Animals
or The Humane League, or through engagement with groups on social media or
in your local community.
Becoming More Sustainable
Another benefit of adopting a vegan lifestyle is that it helps you live more
sustainably. Plants and plant-based foods are produced more efficiently than
meat, and generally take fewer resources like water to make it to your table
than do animal-derived foods, even if they are transported over longer
distances. More generally, being mindful of the impacts of our individual
decisions on the environment and animals helps us to think more
sustainably—from our mode of transportation to the foods we eat and the
activities in which we take part.
Intrigued? Here are some steps that you can take to get started on your
vegan journey.
Educate Yourself About the Vegan Lifestyle
The first step toward adopting a vegan lifestyle is to learn more. A good
resource for this is The Vegan Society which provides guidance and
information on everything from clothing to shopping to traveling in
alignment with a vegan lifestyle.
Practice Veganism
Another keystone of the vegan lifestyle is to reduce the consumption of
animals and animal products. Though this may be a process that could take
some time, it is a key step to pursuing a lifestyle that seeks to do no harm
due to the suffering that animals endure as part of agriculture.
Share With Your Friends and Family
One great way to help the harm reduction efforts inherent in a vegan
lifestyle is to share your beliefs and lifestyle changes with your friends
and family. This could take many different forms. Perhaps you bring a
delicious vegan casserole to a family get-together or maybe you help your
parents pick out plant species that support bees and other wild pollinators.
There are never-ending ways to introduce a vegan lifestyle to your family.
Join a Vegan Community
You may also decide that you want more support as you pursue a vegan
lifestyle. You could join a vegan community to help you with your goals.
Consider asking vegan establishments in your town or city if they are aware
of any in-person groups, or get involved in digital groups on social media.
There’s even an online vegan book club that you could consider joining!
You Can Help Ensure Animals Are Treated Well
By adopting a vegan lifestyle you are already ensuring that fewer animals
are suffering. However, you can also seek out extra opportunities such as
volunteering with a local animal sanctuary or shelter or signing petitions
calling for improved welfare.
Donate to an Organization That Fights Against Animal Abuse
If you are in a position to, donating to organizations such as The Humane
League, Mercy for Animals, farm sanctuaries, animal shelters, or other
animal protection groups is an awesome way to fight against animal abuse.
Become an Advocate for Animals by Joining an Organization
You can take your advocacy a step further by joining an animal protection
organization in which you believe. Perhaps you’re most passionate about
holding companies and producers accountable for the treatment of their
animals, in which case The Humane League or Mercy for Animals might be a
good option for you. If you are most interested in and passionate about
helping animals impacted by disasters then the Humane Society of the United
States might be your style. Regardless of your primary interest, there is an
animal protection organization for you to get involved with.
Veganism Is More Than a Diet
Veganism is much more than just a diet. It is a way of life that seeks to
reduce suffering. This doesn’t only mean the suffering of nonhuman animals,
but also the suffering of people and damage to the environment on which we
depend. Choosing to adopt a vegan lifestyle means being intentional about
reducing harm and living as ethically as is practical and possible.
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