Challenging the myths about veganism
Bethany Cassé discusses the increase in meat-free diets and the prejudices that have come with this.
Over the past few years, the number of people adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet has boomed. In the UK alone it is estimated that 7.2 million people are following a meat-free diet and many more have begun to reduce their consumption of animal products. Flexitarianism has become increasingly popular and many people have taken up schemes such as ‘Meat-free Mondays‘.
The market is now flooded with various meat and dairy alternatives that are readily available in most supermarkets. Large restaurant and fast food chains such as Pizza Express and McDonalds have also begun to introduce plant-based menus. Cutting down on meat is now easier than ever.
But what are the reasons for this change in our diets?
Without delving into any of the ethical debates surrounding vegetarianism and veganism, many people are motivated to change their diet because of worries about climate change. Cutting out animal products from your diet is proven to reduce your carbon footprint. A study conducted by researchers at University of Oxford concluded that adopting a vegan diet was the single most effective way to reduce our impact on the environment. The study found that a plant-based diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 73%; this is far greater than the effect of buying an electric car or cutting out air travel.
Many others opt for a vegan diet because of the health benefits. Cutting out meat and dairy can help to lower your cholesterol, improve your heart health and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because, whilst meat is generally high in saturated fats, the staples of a plant-based diet generally contain very little. They are also rich in nutrients such as fibre, potassium, magnesium which also have positive effects on your health. It is a common misconception that a vegan diet will not provide sufficient amounts of essential nutrients such as calcium. But, according to the NHS, “With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs.”
…And of course some people simply prefer the taste of nutritious plant-based food!
Whatever the reason, as a country our daily meat consumption has fallen by 17% in the last decade. This is great news! But it is important that, as we consider the environment, we are also considerate towards each other…
As anyone who is a vegetarian or vegan will know, many people, when they find out your choice of diet, will immediately try to start a debate or become defensive. Having to constantly justify your choices is exhausting. In particular, a significant stigma exists against vegans, with many encountering prejudice from others. There have even been some examples of work place discrimination against vegans, with some people opting to conceal that they are vegans when applying for a job for fear of employer biases. But why does this prejudice exist in the first place? One suggestion is that, since vegans regard it as wrong to harm non-human animals, some non-vegans infer that, according to vegans’ views, they are doing something wrong. This causes them to feel defensive and potentially aggressive towards vegans.
In most cases, veggies and vegans aren’t trying to ‘convert’ you. They are simply trying to do their bit for the planet.
That being said, it is similarly important for people who don’t eat meat to be accepting of those who do. Opting to eat meat is a valid choice and we should be accepting of this. It is also true that there are lots of people who may want to give up or reduce the animal products they consume but are unable to. Becoming vegetarian or vegan is not easy for everyone. This is for a variety of reasons such as:
Whatever diet you follow, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, flexitarian or a meat-eater, it is important to be tolerant of others and challenge any prejudices that you may hold.
Bethany Cassé, Y12
Over the past few years, the number of people adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet has boomed. In the UK alone it is estimated that 7.2 million people are following a meat-free diet and many more have begun to reduce their consumption of animal products. Flexitarianism has become increasingly popular and many people have taken up schemes such as ‘Meat-free Mondays‘.
The market is now flooded with various meat and dairy alternatives that are readily available in most supermarkets. Large restaurant and fast food chains such as Pizza Express and McDonalds have also begun to introduce plant-based menus. Cutting down on meat is now easier than ever.
But what are the reasons for this change in our diets?
Without delving into any of the ethical debates surrounding vegetarianism and veganism, many people are motivated to change their diet because of worries about climate change. Cutting out animal products from your diet is proven to reduce your carbon footprint. A study conducted by researchers at University of Oxford concluded that adopting a vegan diet was the single most effective way to reduce our impact on the environment. The study found that a plant-based diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 73%; this is far greater than the effect of buying an electric car or cutting out air travel.
Many others opt for a vegan diet because of the health benefits. Cutting out meat and dairy can help to lower your cholesterol, improve your heart health and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because, whilst meat is generally high in saturated fats, the staples of a plant-based diet generally contain very little. They are also rich in nutrients such as fibre, potassium, magnesium which also have positive effects on your health. It is a common misconception that a vegan diet will not provide sufficient amounts of essential nutrients such as calcium. But, according to the NHS, “With good planning and an understanding of what makes up a healthy, balanced vegan diet, you can get all the nutrients your body needs.”
…And of course some people simply prefer the taste of nutritious plant-based food!
Whatever the reason, as a country our daily meat consumption has fallen by 17% in the last decade. This is great news! But it is important that, as we consider the environment, we are also considerate towards each other…
As anyone who is a vegetarian or vegan will know, many people, when they find out your choice of diet, will immediately try to start a debate or become defensive. Having to constantly justify your choices is exhausting. In particular, a significant stigma exists against vegans, with many encountering prejudice from others. There have even been some examples of work place discrimination against vegans, with some people opting to conceal that they are vegans when applying for a job for fear of employer biases. But why does this prejudice exist in the first place? One suggestion is that, since vegans regard it as wrong to harm non-human animals, some non-vegans infer that, according to vegans’ views, they are doing something wrong. This causes them to feel defensive and potentially aggressive towards vegans.
In most cases, veggies and vegans aren’t trying to ‘convert’ you. They are simply trying to do their bit for the planet.
That being said, it is similarly important for people who don’t eat meat to be accepting of those who do. Opting to eat meat is a valid choice and we should be accepting of this. It is also true that there are lots of people who may want to give up or reduce the animal products they consume but are unable to. Becoming vegetarian or vegan is not easy for everyone. This is for a variety of reasons such as:
- Whilst a diet composed solely of fresh fruit, vegetables and other wholefood products works out as cheaper than a more meat-based diet, most veggie/vegan diets also incorporate meat and dairy substitutes which can be costly. Dairy-free milk alternatives alone can cost up to twice the amount of regular milk and, for people from lower income backgrounds, this poses a significant barrier.
- People who follow a gluten-free diet or suffer from allergies may find it harder to find and cook meat-free options.
- Within our school community, most younger students do not cook their own meals. This means that they are reliant on being catered for separately, which in large meat-eating families is not always convenient or possible.
Whatever diet you follow, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, flexitarian or a meat-eater, it is important to be tolerant of others and challenge any prejudices that you may hold.
Bethany Cassé, Y12