Veganism is a hard, if not impossible, topic to ignore, especially in the last few years. As more time continues to pass, more and more studies are being released which show the benefits of living a vegan lifestyle. And as one can imagine, the meat and dairy industry is furious at the truth that is finally being exposed. Along with that, the public that has been conditioned by this corrupted industry has also been taught that veganism is far-fetched, it's a luxury that not everybody can take a part in, and it's too difficult. But is it really? Let's look at some of the common myths and excuses that have been proven wrong about veganism.
“It’s way too expensive to be vegan.”
Being vegan can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. Veganism isn’t an unrealistic luxurious lifestyle; not all of us are avid Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods shoppers. Rice, beans, and legumes, on average, are cheaper than meat, and come in larger quantities. These foods are the staple foods for people in developing countries and ironically, all vegan.
One thing to also keep in mind is to shop seasonally, as produce that is in season is plentiful and therefore cheaper. Additionally, your favorite snacks may also be vegan. Oreos? Vegan. Sweet and Spicy Chili Doritos? Vegan. Sour Patch Kids? Vegan. Just take a look around next time you are out getting groceries, check labels, and ditch that meat and those animal products!
“A vegan diet is so limiting.”
I wouldn’t consider a diet that contains pizza, burrito bowls, a variety of desserts, tacos, and even sushi limiting, would you? Anything can be made vegan. No seriously, anything. Veganism isn’t just tofu and salads, although both of those things are delicious. Pinterest is a vegan’s best friend when it comes to finding new recipes to try out. There is no way to run out of ideas and the majority of the time, the recipes are super simple. To add to the variety, more and more restaurants are creating vegan options as this lifestyle continues to gain new members.
“I can’t eat out at my favorite places if I’m vegan.”
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous question, and it couldn’t be further from the truth. As veganism continues to gain momentum, plenty of restaurants are hopping on the vegan train and now advertise what is and isn’t vegan on their menus. If you aren’t sure about a certain place, you can always ask an employee about the ingredients or tell them you cannot have meat or animal products so that they prepare it without those products (if possible).
Additionally, there are a plethora of internet resources to consult in order to find out what vegan options there are at any restaurant of your choosing, along with apps such as "HappyCow" and "Is It Vegan?" that will aid you in your search.
“I don’t want to be taking a bunch of supplements for the rest of my life.”
…No. Just, no. Consider this. Vegans make up 1 percent of the U.S population as of writing this article. Seeing as the companies that manufacture supplements are worth billions of dollars, does it make sense that all of that revenue is coming out of the pockets of vegans? The numbers don’t add up.
The only supplement the typical vegan takes is B12, which is vital in maintaining nervous system health. Non-vegans get this from animal products, but vegans typically get this from a supplement pill as well as plant-based milks (B12 is added in since plant foods do not contain B12.)
“How am I supposed to get enough protein?”
Ah, the fear-mongering question that has been directly formulated by the meat and dairy industry in order to assure the public continues funding their exploitation. ‘Protein deficiency’ isn’t a thing. It doesn’t even have a clinical diagnosis, and odds are you’re getting more protein than you think.
Most are surprised to find out that fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of protein. For example, broccoli alone has more protein per serving than something like red meat does, minus the fat that the latter contains. Don’t worry about protein, I guarantee you’ll be fine.
“But cheese though.”
Cheese is awesome, isn’t it? Vegan cheese, that is. Trust me, it’s delicious, and goes perfectly on sandwiches, on pizza, and on any pasta of your choosing. You can also make your own using chickpeas if you’re feeling adventurous.
“Isn’t it enough to just go vegetarian?”
Unfortunately, no it isn’t, neither for the animals or for the health of the human body. Even the people that do not consume meat are still contributing to the exploitation and slaughter of animals; cows and chickens in particular. In order to produce milk, cows must have a calf, and therefore they must be artificially inseminated in order to give birth.
Cows that can no longer be impregnated and therefore produce milk are sent off to be slaughtered while their female calves follow in the footsteps of their moms, and the male calves that are born to these cows are sent to be slaughtered for veal.
Hens that produce eggs also have unfortunate circumstances even before they are born, seeing as they have been genetically modified to produce 300 eggs a year as opposed to the 17 eggs that their ancestors laid. These intelligent, social animals spend all of their days in cramped spaces that are advertised as ‘cage free’, and after less than a quarter of their natural lifespans, their bodies can no longer meet the demand and therefore they are sent off for slaughter.
All of this doesn't even begin to get into the harmful effects of animal products on the human body. Vegetarianism is a good way to begin transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, but it should not be an end goal.
“My parents/family/friends will judge me for it.”
No matter what your lifestyle is, somebody will ALWAYS have something to say or comment about. Judgement is a part of life, people will do it, and none of it will affect you a bit when you think about how much this lifestyle helps your body, the animals, and the planet.
“What about leather and fur? Do I have to toss everything out?”
By no means should you just toss out everything you own that came from an animal. The best rule of thumb is to use what you have until it’s no longer usable, then purchase cruelty-free, synthetic, or faux. The more we steer clear of animal products, the more companies get the message and therefore they will have to work to meet the demand. Veganism isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle that doesn’t stop at eating plant-based foods. It involves looking at one’s life from every angle and minimizing the unnecessary damage we do to the earth when we choose to consume animals and their secretions.
It has never been easier than it is now to start on a vegan lifestyle journey, thanks to the abundance of resources that there are to consult. Veganism makes sense, not only for the health of one's body but for the planet as well. The fact is that consuming animals and animal products is not only unethical, but it is unsustainable for the planet seeing as the human population is growing at a concerning rate, and so many of those people are starving (which veganism could annihilate). Veganism is one of the last hopes we have to maintain the existence of life as we know it. A big change needs to happen soon, or we may not be able to take advantage of the beauty left in the world for much longer.
And P.S: No, honey isn't vegan.
