I haven't been vegan for long (about 10 months), but within the time that I haven't eaten meat, dairy, or eggs, Ive gotten some pretty annoying questions and comments. This is a list of some clarifications, explanations, and common questions.

1. “Do you consider fish an animal product?”

Um, yeah… they’re just as much an animal as your dog.

2. “If you love animals so much, why do you eat all of their food?”

I don’t think my cat minds that I eat a surplus of potato chips--I’ve never seen her, or any other animal, chomping down on hummus, tofu, avocados, Boca burgers, or Clif bars within my lifetime. (Cats and dogs actually can’t eat avocados, they’re toxic to them. More for us vegans, huh?)

3. “Why are you vegan?”

This question usually comes around mealtime, when I’m just grabbing a plate of fries and vegetables and my meat-eating peers are grabbing a slice of pizza or chicken tenders in the dining hall. I mean, I can tell you about the gross/cruel things in the meat and dairy industry while you consume meat and dairy, if you want, but I can’t guarantee that you won’t want to throw away/up your food whilst I do so.

But, to answer the question, I’m vegan for a few reasons. The main being that I don’t see the need for humans to kill furry friends for food when we have agriculture and plants that can sustain us just as well. And eating a plant based diet is better for the planet. Did you know that just by skipping one burger, you can save enough energy to charge your phone for four and a half years?

4. “Do you miss meat?”

Do I miss meat? Honestly, sometimes, on rare occasions I do, but the ‘craving’ quickly passes once I consider what meat actually is and it makes me sad.

5. “What do you eat?”

I mean, what do you eat? I eat lots of Oreos, chips and guacamole, black beans, and non-dairy ice cream. I actually eat a lot. Like, a lot a lot. It’s not hard to find vegan food if you know where to look (the list of sides on restaurant menus is where I tend to go), and some restaurants even *gasp* sell vegan entrees.

6. “Animals are still going to die for meat, even if you’re vegan.”

Okay, yes, but have you heard of supply and demand?

7. “I’d be vegan, but I don’t think I could give up cheese.”

I feel that, I totally do. But I’m a believer in doing what you can, and that even the little efforts to cut back on animal products makes a difference to the animals in question. So pescetarians: they’re making a difference in animals’ lives in a way that works for them. People who don’t eat red meat: they’re making a difference in animals’ lives in a way that works for them. For the person who wouldn’t mind being vegan but doesn’t want to give up cheese (or chicken nuggets or ice cream or some other non-vegan item), what if you were vegan in all other aspects except you still ate cheese (or the non-vegan item) when you wanted to? That would keep so many animals from suffering, and you’d still get to eat cheese if you so choose. Side note, they do make vegan cheeses, and some of them are super yummy!

8. “Wait, aren’t there eggs/milk in that?”

This question comes when I’m either eating something or describing things I like to eat. Most breads, pastas, and pizza doughs are usually vegan, which I guess a lot of people don’t know. I try to always read labels on everything, just to be sure, but I don’t understand why others would feel the need to question me and my eating habits, especially after they've been so hesitant about my choice to be vegan. I don’t question you when you grab a cookie when you're supposed to be on a diet (just saying).

9. “What’s in a vegan *insert food item here*?”

Okay, this isn’t really annoying or anything, it’s just sort of funny to me. If it’s a vegan pancake, it’s just like your pancake, but without eggs and with non-dairy milk. If it’s a vegan cookie, same deal. I don’t think that’s a very complicated idea.

10. “You’re not going to be vegan forever, right?”

At this point in my life, I would like to be vegan forever, unless something with my personal health changes or if something within the animal industry changes. I'm just trying to be one less person harming animals and our planet, in a way that I know how, for as long as I can.