There are many reasons that people decide to adopt veganism. The first and most common involves becoming and staying healthy through consuming only nutritious, natural plants and other foods that come from the earth rather than from the animals who live on it. Vegans are found all over the world and from numerous cultures, each individual making this important life choice for unique reasons.
Many people disagree with the way food-producing animals, such as cows, chickens and pigs, are treated and will not tolerate meat for ethical reasons. They believe that all animals should be treated with love and caring rather than forced into cages and killed for their flesh. In some cases, a species of animal that is manipulated for its skin, fur, flesh or eggs becomes endangered due to excessive human hunting, fishing or harvesting in its habitat. Thousands of people whose primary intention is to save the planet and preserve nature find themselves turning to veganism for this very reason.
For the majority of Americans, becoming a vegan is a life-changing decision. Our culture's culinary choices typically include large portions of various meats, from chicken and fish to beef, pork and lamb. Meat isn't the only dietary component a new vegan might miss, though, as all products derived from animals are off limits. This includes all dairy foods and anything made using them, any products manufactured using fur or leather, and anything made in a laboratory that employs animal testing. The latter two of these are less common, though, as most vegans focus only on the dietary aspect of the lifestyle.
When it comes to switching to veganism from a traditional diet, the process should ideally be a gradual one. Keep in mind that your body is used to obtaining energy through various resources, such as the protein found in meat, eggs and dairy products. Vegan alternatives include soy, tofu, lentils, leafy greens, nuts and hemp, many of which also pack a substantial amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Also remember that eliminating meat and dairy from your diet will likely have an effect on your digestion at first. To make the transition easy on your body, talk to your doctor first and develop a step-by-step plan that helps you make the switch slowly.
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