A question for Vegans!

@Old Salt Excellant Question. What MarciKS posted pretty much outlines the different types of diets and the some of the reasons people eat that way. I eat a vegan diet, I am not an ethical vegan. According to those who really need to care, I would be referred to as a strict vegetarian--means I don't consume animal products. I do it for health reasons, which if you're interested I'll go into detail.

The reason ethical vegans don't consume dairy is that cows are perpetually kept pregnant to produce milk. The male calves are separated from their mothers and often killed, both practices they deem as animal cruelty. Female calves are kept for milk production and the cycle starts all over again. Those who are vegan for the environment are also against livestock in general because it uses more resources and can cause environmental damage from converting forrest eco systems to agriculture to grow feed for animals, run off pollution, green house gas emissions, etc. They also eschew other animal by products , the most obvious being leather.

Eggs the issue is that male chicks are separated, destroyed, and often used as chicken feed-- keeping only the female chicks for laying stock. Also some of the conditions of commercial chicken farming are also considered quite cruel, like the conditions the animals are housed in.

I know there are a lot of stereotypes out there about vegans, but I'm the only vegan I know in real 3D life. I have an online friend who became plant based, but in fact eats vegan again for health reasons.

I'm not one of those people who are a vegan activist, or feel all that superior about my stance. In fact, the only people I care about what they eat are myself, my wife, and anyone we have invited over for a meal.

Both my wife's and my experience with the health benefits of changing our diets is enough reward. That and it makes washing up dishes, so much easier. I mean that quite literally. When I first decided to try eating this way it was a 2 week test, what kept me motivated really was how quick and easy clean up was. I'm someone that loves to cook, dishes-- not so much.
 
In fact the irony of not eating meat was not lost on my household because when I met my husband he was a hunter and fisherman. He regularly shot game.... when he became Vegan, you would have had to shoot HIM before you could get him to shoot or to eat it..
 
hollydolly said:
no..absolutely not....!!
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hollydolly said:
In fact the irony of not eating meat was not lost on my household because when I met my husband he was a hunter and fisherman. He regularly shot game.... when he became Vegan, you would have had to shoot HIM before you could get him to shoot or to eat it..
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I would expect the ethical vegans would not eat game, but I'm curious about the health conscious variety.

My wife doesn't eat red meat, however she made an exception for poultry and domestic duck long ago - thank dog. She will eat fish, shellfish, and game birds as well, but not elk or deer. The saying goes "no meat with 4 feet", fear not she wouldn't eat kangaroo either.
 
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I don't, but that's my personal choice. A lot depends on what health issue has motivated them to change their diet. In my case it is very specific to my family. Mine was cardiac, my wife had type 2 diabetes. I was more motivated to help her and not eat differently than she did so it would be easier. Changing our diets has had truly amazing benefits-- in our circumstances.
 
I could care less what you will, or will not eat. Humans are omnivores, so there's not too much we can't eat. If you want to limit your diet to self approved foods, it doesn't have to make sense. Yet, I've always wonder that if one does not eat eggs and dairy in deference to chickens and cattle, etc., do you wear wool clothes?
BTW, my ex decided she was going to be a vegan in the 1980s. She made a big deal about this. Do you have any idea how hard it was to find vegan restaurants in the '80s ? Do you know the hours, and hours we spent looking whenever we were on vacation? After we broke up, I found out all the while she was sneaking down to McDonalds for quarter pounders.
 
@fuzzybuddy Ethical vegans probably wouldn't, or try not to. Not everyone can afford to replace things they already have. People who eat that way for health reasons probably wouldn't even think of it in the first place.

The only reason I can even remember what month I first tried eating vegan is because it's close to my birthday and my wife commented on that fact. When we first tried it was for a 2 week trial to see if we could, worked for me. So here I am 7 1/2 years later, it's just what I eat.
 
i eat meat and i won't even eat game. i don't like it. i worked with enough raw meat that it kinda grosses me out.
 
Old Salt said:
But why are Vegans stricter? I wish we had one among us. I promise no strife or insults on my part! I truly would love to see the reason behind this egg and milk thing. Believe it or not, vegetarians I understand. They choose to eat veggies only and I respect that, even though I love my meat!
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I did the vegan diet for nine months (years ago). It is a very strict diet. Many vegans also believe a plant-based diet is better for their health. I did it for health reasons.
 
That was an excellent summary of the reasons, @Oris Borloff

Too many people, especially teens, decide to become vegan without understanding what they do need to be healthy. It can be done with education and a good diet. Iā€™ve watched young people eating potato chips or dipping into a jar of peanut butter, etc. The average jar of peanut butter has lots of additives.
 
Oris Borloff said:
The reason ethical vegans don't consume dairy is that cows are perpetually kept pregnant to produce milk. The male calves are separated from their mothers and often killed, both practices they deem as animal cruelty. Female calves are kept for milk production and the cycle starts all over again.
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Very interesting post... thanks for information I hadn't heard before. Wouldn't it make more sense to heavily lobby for more ethical treatment then... seems that refusing to eat the products because of these reasons doesn't do a whit of good in getting better treatment for the animals.
 
I have a good friend thats a strict vegan due to his religious believes. One day I walk in, smell bacon, and hes eating some... So of course I take advantage of the moment. He says it's Vegan Bacon and offered me a piece.... NASTY... I mean just plan nasty... I grab the packaging and read the ingredient's... looked like a chemical shipping list for a weapons factory.
 
CallMeKate said:
Very interesting post... thanks for information I hadn't heard before. Wouldn't it make more sense to heavily lobby for more ethical treatment then... seems that refusing to eat the products because of these reasons doesn't do a whit of good in getting better treatment for the animals.
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Glad I could be of service. The only reason I was exposed to this stuff is at the time, I was looking for recipes and food ideas. Recipes lead to whole food plant based low oil & salt and then to vegan diets, etc.
 
old medic said:
I have a good friend thats a strict vegan due to his religious believes. One day I walk in, smell bacon, and hes eating some... So of course I take advantage of the moment. He says it's Vegan Bacon and offered me a piece.... NASTY... I mean just plan nasty... I grab the packaging and read the ingredient's... looked like a chemical shipping list for a weapons factory.
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Have you ever had turkey bacon? Being a "foodie" I had been curious about, but never enough to buy a whole package. I also couldn't figure out why it was being pushed as "healthier" because I'd looked at the info on the package, it was always for 1 piece, regular bacon usually was 2 pieces.

The one chance I was served it was the day after my triple bypass. Since I wasn't awake to fill out a menu the nurses ordered for me. Two strips of turkey bacon on the plate, I wasn't up for eating anything at the time. I've heard it's pretty nasty stuff too. Where I'm at now, I don't think I missed much.
 

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