To start out, I began my journey as a pescatarian two years ago, meaning I gave up all meat but still ate fish. As of a couple of months ago, I cut fish and seafood out of my diet as well. Now, as I journey into veganism, I am learning more about my body and the nutrients it needs. I'm also learning that people think it's okay to dismantle vegetarian beliefs with uneducated statements. Here are just a few of many things that vegetarians and vegans are fed up with hearing.
1. Where/how do you get your protein?
This is probably the most common question that I get asked. To answer this obscene question with a simple answer, I get protein from beans, nuts, soy, and chickpeas. These are all versatile and delicious, and are much more inexpensive than animal products.
2. You need dairy to get calcium.
While dairy has calcium, lets not forget that the dairy that we consume was produced for a baby calf, and was made to grow this calf into a 500 lb. cow. This is not something that our bodies were made to digest. Also, osteoporosis is highest in countries who consume the most dairy, and this is because of the high levels of acidity in cow's milk, which break down the enzymes in our own bodies and causes bone degeneration. Great sources of calcium are dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale, cashews, almonds, and even oranges.
3. Pigs and cows don't have the same worth as dogs and cats
I'm sorry, what? Humans were designed with a heightened sense of compassion, and this is as good as we get? I think not. All animals were designed to coexist together, including humans. Pigs, mind you, are extremely intelligent and love unconditionally, just like your golden retriever. Cows are beautiful and affectionate, like your kitten. If it makes you uncomfortable thinking about eating your pet, it should make you just as uncomfortable eating a bull.
4. So, what do you eat?
... Wow, I guess I never realized that the only existing foods are animal products/by-products. Let me humor you. I eat pizza, tacos, sushi, and did I mention bean burgers? Contrary to popular belief, we don't just live on salad, although we very well can. In my two years of experience, I have learned so many more creative food dishes than when I ate the standard American meal every night (and my dad can vouch for this).
5. If everybody were vegan, there would be no more plants.
You're so right, because it's not like we're cutting down thousands of rainforests each year to make room for corn and soy crops to feed overbred livestock in factory farms(which are also built on deforested land). Please, tell me more about how vegans are destroying the earth.
6. I'd die if I didn't eat meat.
I assure you, you wouldn't.
Not knowing these facts isn't completely our fault, we were raised to believe that we need these things to survive. However, judgement and disrespect for somebody's lifestyle is avoidable. We are always happy to answer any questions that you have and we are more than excited to share yummy dishes with you which are healthier when plant-based.
