Veganism is a responsibility and those who adopt the vegan lifestyle are saving the Earth and its creatures while staying healthy. The careful conscious consideration while saying no and yes to what is out there to be used and consumed is what makes all the difference.
Veganism deals with conscious dietary and lifestyle choices that are free from all sorts of animal exploitation and cruelty. It is not limited to food consumption only, the clothes one wears, cosmetic products one uses, and the choice of entertainment one makes are also considered. In other words, veganism advocates a compassionate way of living that does not compromise the lives of animals and discourages industries that cause harm to animals. The key component of veganism is a vegan diet that relies on plant-based products only, which includes a wide range of nuts, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and seeds and eliminates anything that can be taken from animals for consumption like honey, meat, dairy, eggs, etc.
A broad ethical, environmental, and health-conscious approach to life is taken into consideration in veganism rather than just the food-related choices that need to be made. Many people switch to veganism to adopt a healthy lifestyle as going vegan can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers because the vegan diet is filled with nutrient-rich profile with fewer unhealthy fats; but many other people switch to veganism because they do not want to encourage animal cruelty environmental sustainability, or both.
Ideology of Veganism
The veganism approach is not just about killing animals and using their products for human consumption, the ideology goes deeper than that. Veganism raises the voice against factory farming, the usage of animals for chemical product testation, and for entertainment purposes like shooting films, game-riding contests, zoos, circuses, seaworld, etc. where animals like elephants, horses, monkeys, tigers, dolphins, etc. Vegans advocate that animals have an inherited right to live their lives in their natural habitat just like humans, and unnecessary intervention must be ceased as it only brings suffering to them. Veganism is closely related to environmentalism. Animal agriculture contributes to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and water pollution. Avoiding animal agriculture and promoting plant-based food is an attempt to minimize the ecological impact and increase production with fewer resources involved.
Vegan diets are highly nutritious but it is important to meet the nutrients that are driven from animals and look for essential plant-based alternatives to have a well-balanced diet. vital nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber can easily be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Whole grains such as rice, oats, quinoa, barley, and farro are the powerhouse for carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and minerals like B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. Beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas help to meet the daily requirement of protein. Different nuts and seeds offer healthy fats and minerals such as zinc and calcium. They are very beneficial for brain health as they are packed with fatty acids like omega-3. Alternative to cow milk can be derived from soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk. They are fortified with calcium, vitamin D, and B12. Consumers’ interest has grown in vegan cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy substitutes over time.
Concerns of Vegan Diet:
The vegan diet has challenges attached to it though adopting a vegan lifestyle not only saves the lives of animals but also contributes to making the earth a better place. New vegans’ biggest concern is to make sure they are getting all the nutrients like iron from plant sources (non-heme iron) takes longer to absorb than the iron present in animal products, vitamin B12 is not naturally found in plant food.
Veganism is a movement towards a virtuous, eco-friendly, and health-aware lifestyle. It is an attempt to stop environmental degradation and mitigate animal distress by eschewing animal products while providing a healthy alternative altogether. Veganism is taking baby steps but it surely is making waves worldwide.