AIBU to think there’s no justification for eating meat and dairy any more?

[AnnoyingVegan]

People are educated now. People know that eating meat and dairy is disastrous for the planet. People know it’s causing an unprecedented climate crisis. People know it causes untold cruelty to animals.

So why are people still doing it? There is a vegan substitute for virtually every meat and dairy product you can think of. What is going on here?

The number of people I’ve seen on social media breaking their hearts over Australia shooting wild camels and horses because they drink too much water while still eating beef blows my mind.

But I don't want to be a vegan myself. I also feel that veganism is something of a middle class western concern, since vaste swathes of the population of the world are happy to have any food at all, but that's a different discussion altogether

Of course it is - it’s because middle class western people are responsible for consuming the vast majority of meat and dairy worldwide. We are the ones who need to reform our eating. The vast swathes of people in the world close to starving are the ones who are going to die because of climate change.

Because I like it.

Lol no way. Soya products caused me to have periods every two weeks. As soon as I stopped they went back to normal. I’m not touching soya with a barge pole now. My body runs next on lean protein and veggies. If you’re happy being vegan good for you but everyone is different and it doesn’t suit me or my body.

If everyone stops eating meat, and we have no farm animals, how will our crops be fertilized? Chemical fertilizers are not good long term for the ground. Eventually you will have a barren dust bowl.

I've never seen a vegan with a good solution to this problem.

Wow @AnnoyingVegan are you a gift from god?
No kids AND you cycle to work?! We are mere mortals in comparison. We are not worthy.

Avocados = trendy food = everyone wants them including vegans

Cutting down on avocados for EVERYONE would make a big environmental impact globally.

Not just meat eaters - everyone is at fault there

Heads into the kitchen to lovingly consume a ham & cheese toasty

@familydramalama I know

Particularly I mean the issues outlined in this article

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/25/veganism-intensively-farmed-meat-dairy-soya-maize

“ unless you’re sourcing your vegan products specifically from organic, “no-dig” systems, you are actively participating in the destruction of soil biota, promoting a system that deprives other species, including small mammals, birds and reptiles, of the conditions for life, and significantly contributing to climate change.“

It’s not as simple as saying stop eating meat. There needs to be a complete transformation of the way we produce our food. People don’t seem to focus on the fact that a good deal of our crops are now coming from nutritionally stripped soil (and are nutritionally depleted as a result) and only thrive because of chemical inputs - which are further degrading the soil we have for food production and polluting the planet.

I’m a bit worried about the health of people becoming vegan without understanding nutrition. I see lots of supermarkets etc pushing their vegan offerings but no mention of supplements required etc. Its easier to get basic nutrition when not cutting out whole food groups.

Also what should happen to all the farmers/farming communities/related jobs, I live in Scotland, much of the land isn’t suitable for crops, security of supply when we have to import a lot of our food. Lots of issues to think about/solve

I don't understand why people bother with this yet don't tell people to not have kids. Stop picking and choosing.

Unless you only use renewable energy sources, never get in a car, never consider having children, don't use plastic, don't buy from supermarkets, blah blah, stop trying to tell people what to do :)

There are other harmful and cruel things happening in the world not just meat and dairy. So I don’t see the logic in singling out meat and dairy as the thing to be stopped? There are easier things to stop for example the fur trade.

Also even if Western people all went vegan it wouldn’t help because billions of Chinese for example would still be eating meat, and they don’t give a shit about animal cruelty. They eat dogs and skin and boil creatures alive and all sorts.

Well colour me surprised, annoying Vegan is annoying.

Anyway, there's only one good use for vegetables..

Isn't soya bad if you have too much?

I don't eat loads of meat or dairy, have coffee black etc. But I love butter, eggs and fish. I would like to try go vegan but I just would struggle without those. I know that sounds very selfish and I admire people that do it.

Surely a more sensible and realistic approach is people cutting back than stopping altogether?

If everyone stops eating meat, and we have no farm animals, how will our crops be fertilized? Chemical fertilizers are not good long term for the ground. Eventually you will have a barren dust bowl.

Eh? There are many kinds of organic fertilisers not involving manure

Ridiculous statement.

Sorry!!

I like being vegan. I've lost weight and eat much more healthily now - tonnes of veggies and pulses. And I feel better about not buying meat but dairy in particular. I think lots of dairy livestock lives a pretty miserable life. The vegan "cheese" is all totally shite though. I've had to break up with cheese

I'm personally trying to reduce my carbon footprint, and am eating a lot less meat products because of that.

However there is no substitute for a lovely rare rib eye steak or for any of my favourite cheeses. I just eat these things as a treat instead. I don't think that makes me a psychopath.

I like meat and dairy, so I will carry on eating it. If we dont carry on eating it, there will be no sheep or cows in this country.

You are, indeed, an “annoying” vegan.

Everyone should eat according to their principles. Everyone should educate themselves.
But there’s much more wrong with “eating vegan” if you eat processed, manufactured substitutes that have as yet unmeasured environmental impact when grown as monocultures and shop in a chain supermarket as there is “eating meat and dairy” if you’re buying locally reared and butchered free-range meat and ethically sourced dairy and eggs.

Don’t preach and generalise. It really is fucking annoying.

Bacon.

There's my justification 🤷‍♀️

giving up meat and dairy is still, by far, the single biggest thing a person can do to reduce their carbon footprint.

No, it's not. Having a small family is.

Are you trolling us? You are so self righteous! Meat/ dairy consumption is not the problem. Greedy capitalism is. Mass production of anything is. My friend touches on it in her blog www.fareishakelasi.com/post/veganuary-cut-the-bull

Spicy chicken wings
Medium steak
Cheese (all sorts)
Poached eggs with a pinch of salt
Toast with real butter
These are justifications for eating meat and dairy