Curious

[jilleen_dennis]

I've wanted to turn my life toward healthier living, and have taken a great interest in a raw or vegan diet/lifestyle. I'm curious to see how many of you exclude every animal product from your lives, and how many exclude only the ones that cause animal suffering

Comments

[liadlaith]

A vegan excludes, as far as is possible and practical, all animal products, regardless of how they were gathered. Vegan generally come from the point of view that animals don't exist to serve humans, and that they have a right to keep whatever they make, even if humans think of it as "going to waste".

I would even go so far as to say that "vegans" who only exclude animal products that "lead to animal suffering" (you would be surprised how few animal products exclude animal suffering) are not vegan, perhaps actually vegetarian.

[jilleen_dennis]

So do vegans also only eat organic food? Does anyone consider how many animals are killed when tractors plow and fertilize the fields that our vegetables grow in, especially considering how much crop land makes up for the percentage of the Earth's soil?

Where is the line drawn between practical and impractical when it comes to veganism?

[ochibawolf]

No, vegans do not only eat organic food(although I eat mostly organic). With the tractor thing you are talking about, I'd say it would be like hitting a skunk while driving. You don't want it to happen, but it does.

[jilleen_dennis]

So vegans generally make no effort at all against the fertilization of crops, yet won't eat honey to save their soul?

[ochibawolf]

Do you want to become vegan or not? You need to read www.goveg.com Maybe this place can answer your questions better.

[liadlaith]

Do you want to become vegan or not?

Good question.

[jilleen_dennis]

That's the whole point of my researching the subject. Don't get lazy on me now, stand up for what you believe. I simply said in my original post that I was thinking about it. I'm not going to leap into a complete lifestyle change and potentially harmful diet with not so much as researching it first.

I've already read goveg.com, and was vegetarian for a couple of years back in '04. I had to incorporate meat again due to a poor diet, and not having the money for the supplements..etc.. that were needed. Which is why I am researching this further. The first time around I was all action and no planning, and it ultimately led to failure and poor health.

Ya'll here are just a bunch of preachers so far though. I can tell you're all used to people challenging your beliefs 'cause I came in only hoping that someone would help me understand vegans live the way you do, and I'm having a hell of a time with defensive responses.

[liadlaith]

Don't get lazy on me now, stand up for what you believe.

Why should she* have to perform for you?

* sorry if you're not a she, ochibawolf

[ochibawolf]

You got it right, I'm a she :)

[liadlaith]

I took a punt on the whole Sailor Moon thing ; )

(not that I mean to imply any males who enjoy Sailor Moon have somehow compromised their masculinity)

[ochibawolf]

Harmful diet? Hmm, I think hormone stricken meat is way more harmful than a vegan diet.

As for supplements go, I don't take any at all, and I'm fine. I don't even take medicine. Can you explain how you use to eat before?

I'm not trying to preach at all. But you gotta understand you did jump right on us with a lot of questions, and we are just average people here too. :)

I really hope you choose to try and become vegan for yourself, the planet, and of course, the animals we share earth with. =)

[freakshownia]

I don't take any supplements either, and I'm healthier than I've ever been =)

[bitspike]

"Ya'll here are just a bunch of preachers so far though. I can tell you're all used to people challenging your beliefs 'cause I came in only hoping that someone would help me understand vegans live the way you do, and I'm having a hell of a time with defensive responses."Am I sounding preachy? I'm not trying to

[dolmadez]

If you eat a balanced diet, you won't necessarily need supplements. I've been vegan for a long time and never took vitamins. There are lots of websites that host SO MANY different, delicious vegan recipes. Be sure to add variety to your diet -- it helps!

[evilekeeper]

As a dietetices major, I can say that this diet is not harmful as long as you have a variety of foods and supplement B12.