I am coming up on my ten-year anniversary of being a vegan, a decision I made when I was in elementary school. This was before the trend of veganism blew up, since most of the people I talked to did not know what that word even meant at the time of my transition.

Now, being vegan is much more popular than it was when I was nine-years old. Between 2014 and 2017, there was a six-hundred percent increase in the amount of people who identified as vegan in the United States. This is due to a variety of reasons: health initiatives, weight loss, environmental concerns. Of course, I recognize that it's not for everyone, but I am nevertheless glad that more people are incorporating a plant-based diet into their lives.

Although there are now many vegans out there, which means more resources for people interested in the concept, I am still constantly bombarded with questions by my peers about my choice. I have no problem answering, but there are quite a few questions that always seem to come up, no matter who you're talking to.

1. Don't you miss normal food?

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Of course, by "normal food," this means pizza, ice cream, hamburgers. I don't want to answer on behalf of all vegans, but I'm pretty sure that, for most of us, the answer is no. There are plenty of delicious alternatives for all of those meals. I mean, have you tried Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice cream?

2. Where do you get your protein?

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Contrary to popular belief, meat is not the only source of protein on this planet. I know tofu is not everyone's favorite, but there are other options: lentils, nuts, quinoa, and chia seeds, just to name a few.

3. What if you were stranded on an island with only meat?

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I cannot imagine how I would possibly end up in this scenario. How am I not only stranded on an island, but stranded on an island where there is absolutely nothing but cows? I think this would be problematic for anyone, not just a vegan. If I were stuck alone on some deserted land, I'd probably just cry.

4. Why won't you drink milk if it's healthy for you?

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Not only is the dairy industry extremely abusive towards cows, but dairy consumption is linked to many health issues, including an increased risk of prostate cancer among men and a cause of acne.

5. Do you mind if I eat this in front of you?

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Personally, I do not mind whatsoever if people eat animal products in front of me. As long as you're not trying to shove it down my throat, you are welcome to eat whatever you want.

6. How can you gain muscle if you're a vegan?

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There are many famous athletes who are actually vegan and even claim that their change in diet improved their performance. Venus Williams originally went vegan due to an autoimmune disorder, and she believes that becoming vegan significantly improved her life.

7. Why are you vegan?

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Most vegans will have a different answer to this question, depending on who you ask. Veganism can help the environment and improve your health, which is why I personally chose the diet.

The vegans of the world are not part of some exclusive cult, so I cannot solely answer every question on behalf of the entire community. These are just common ones that we always get, and some of us may be a little tired of answering them over and over again.

Even if you don't believe that a vegan diet is right for you, there are many ways to simply reduce your meat consumption or introduce more plant-based meals into your life (without eating kale three times a day). Explore the options out there and maybe you'll even find something you like. After all, potato chips are vegan, so it can't be that bad.