Why Vegan?
I asked a lot of people why they took the step to become vegan and these are the replies I received, including my own thoughts:
‘I became vegetarian when I could no longer eat animals; I became vegan when I saw the link between the dairy and slaughter industries and realised I was still contributing to cruelty by consuming milk products.’
Andrea Elson
‘Because abuse, exploitation and cruelty happens before slaughter which is all that vegetarianism addresses.’
Lucy Hawker
‘Milk is meant for calves and not humans.’
Carol Price
‘I am vegan because as a vegetarian I could no longer ignore the cruelty involved in the dairy and egg industry. The more I learn the more it confirms this choice of a cruelty free, sustainable and healthier way of living.’
Alison Bromley
‘If it is so natural and healthy to drink milk, why don’t we drink human milk when we are adults? In typical ignorance I never questioned why cows produce milk, I thought they just did. When I realised that like us as mammals, they only produce milk after pregnancy, I was appalled at the exploitation of cows enduring cycle after cycle of artificial pregnancies to produce milk and dairy products for humans.’
Julie-Ann Simms
‘I made the decision to go vegan when I realised that I could no longer go on lying to myself that being vegetarian was anywhere near cruelty free for animals. Now when I pass them in fields, I really can whisper you are beautiful, and I don’t want to be part of hurting you in any way.’
Dawn Jones
Because my body told me loud and clear
Food with animals in don’t go near
Life is precious, life is dear,
Being vegan helps me walk
In love instead of fear
also because the food is the best I’ve ever eaten!
Natalie Tharraleos
‘Because I can be, it’s easy (when you know how) and I can’t think of a good reason why not to benefit people, animals and the environment simply by choosing new product (A) rather than old product (B).
Tony Weston
As you can see there is a recurring theme - the link between the dairy industry and what vegans consider to be exploitation and animal cruelty.
So what are the facts? The Farm Animal Welfare Network (FAWN) state the following about the treatment of cows:
- calves are removed from their mothers after 12-24 hours. The cow will produce milk for almost a year, then she will give birth to another calf and the cycle continues.
- traditionally a cow’s udder holds approximately two litres of milk at any one time. The dairy cow’s udder will hold ten litres.
- every year over 50% of UK dairy cows will suffer lameness due to deformations caused by huge udders, poor housing, (especially in Winter) and diseases such as laminitis. John Webster, Professor of Animal Husbandry at Bristol University, has written ‘To understand the pain of laminitis it helps to imagine crushing all your fingernails in the door and then standing on your fingertips.’
- most dairy cows are slaughtered at about 6-7 years of age, due to being physically and mentally worn out. A cow’s natural lifespan is nearer 20 years.
These are some of the reasons a person makes the decision to become a vegan. If you are vegetarian due to animal welfare issues it is the next logical step. There are so many products available to substitute dairy equivalents that it is become easier to be a vegan.
I have detailed some of the alternatives available:
MILK
There are a wide variety of soya and rice milk products available. Everyone has a preferred brand and it is worth trying a few until you find one you like. Soya milk is a good source of protein and calcium and vitamin enriched products are available. Can be used to replace dairy milk in recipes.
MARGARINE
There are a number of spreads available that are suitable for vegans but PURE, available in the supermarket and Sainsbury’s ‘Free From’ are both particularly good.
CREAM
Provamel, Granose and Sainsbury’s Free From all make a soya alternative to single cream which can be used on desserts or in cooking.
CHEESE
There are a wide range of soya and rice based hard cheeses, cream cheese and cheese slices available. My personal favourites are Cheezly, Sainsbury’s Free From Soft Spread and Toffuti Mozzarella slices respectively.
YOGURTS
A wide variety of yogurts are available. My favourite is Yofu by Provamel which comes in a variety of flavours and is available from the health food shop or supermarket.
ICE CREAM
Swedish Glace make a particularly good ice-cream as do Tofutti, who also make a Vienetta alternative called ‘Rock and Roll’. You can also get choc-ices, a product similar to cornetto and ‘milk’ lollies.
MILK SHAKES
You can buy flavoured milks by Provamel and So-Good or make your own with Nesquik or Crusha and soya milk. |
