[lisaanne]

Is anyone vegan or vegetarian for health reasons only? I finally met a vegan at a class I was taking. It was the first time I had actually met a vegan in the flesh and I was so excited to have someone to talk to about animal rights, diet, etc. Turns out he is vegan for health reasons only(he has no health problems, just doesn't want any). He is a runner and wants to eat a healthy diet for this reason. He has no concern for animals whatsoever. I am glad he is vegan for whatever reason because animals are spared, but I guess I always assumed that almost all vegans or vegetarians had animal welfare as one of the major reasons for their diet choice. I don't mean to sound critical of him, I was just surprised I guess! Is my assumption valid?

 

[GhostUser]

I think your assumption is valid. I'd guess that a large number of veg*ns are veg*ns for the animals. I guess we just have to remember that some people don't have much compassion. Hence, a diet based on health.

ETA: With that said, I'd take a health veg*n added to this world over an omni.

 

[Alli]

At least it pays off, like you said. And I think your'e correct that most are vegan for animal rights reasons, but apparently not all.

 

[shaved_women]

Yeah, I was surprised by my friend telling me that her reason for being vegetarian (which she was since 13, she's 21 now) was the environment but not animal rights. It seemed a little human-centric to me when she talked about being able to feed the entire world if everyone adopted a veg diet. Oh well, she's done a lot of good for the animals even if that's not her reason for being veg.

 

[piratemoon]

I think that there are so many reasons for being veg. I know I didn't have just one. It built up over time, and in the end there seemed to be far fewer reasons to be omni. That's just how it went for me.

pirate x

 

[Alli]

I'm veg for the environment and people, too, but animal rights was my only reason at first. Now all three are equally important to me.

 

[PetSounds]

I don't know that I think it's human-centric to have environmental reasons as the first reason for being vegan/veggie. I was stunned the first time I heard of someone who didn't eat beef because of the impact it has on the environment. IF anything I think this approach is more animal centric and earth centric because cattle are one of the main causes of deforestation. (to my knowledge) there are lots of places where farming livestock for American consumption means that there isn't grain to grow for the local population. It saddens me to know that 'growing cattle' harms the environment so much and kills off lots of species from good microbes in the soil to cutting down trees......etc.

I have lots of purposes for going vegan and the number one reason is honestly for myself, for ME! Animal products are not good for ME, and I cannot make positive change in my world if I am not healthy and self-aware. I cannot any longer sleep well at night knowing the food choices I am making which I DO NOT NEED in order to survive are causing suffering in the world. It's my responsibility to limit the amount of suffering that I am a part of, as a member of humanity.

That said... I do care deeply and passionately about animal rights. I care about the environment and I care about the people of the world having enough grains to keep them alive and healthy. SO... I agree that anyone who is vegan/veg for whatever reason is definitely better than anyone who's not.

 

[honeyfugle]

that's true for me too. in the beginning it was just about animal rights, but the more i learnth about environmental and health issues, they became about as important as animal rights.

after all, who really wants to have poor health?

 

[meatless]

I went veg in the beginning for environmental reasons. I went vegan for the animals though. Now I'm vegan for animal rights, environment AND health.... and I've never believed in anything more strongly in my life.

 

[Lani]

I'm kind of a strange case but I used the health/diet reasons I guess as an excuse to finally get off meat. It was a guilt free way with my friends and family and I kind of regret it now because they don't really take my animal activism seriously. I've always had a love for animals and even as a child I'd rescue crawfish and crabs from their doom. I guess watching the PETA vids such as meat your meet is what really hit home and made me open my eyes to the truth. Now I proudly tell people I'm vegan for more than just diet reasons and I haven't really got through to anyone yet. They just love to argue with me *sigh* But maybe I'll get someone to see the light one day