To think veganism is the future?

[Libertynan]

I started eating a plant based diet for Veganuary this year and am still at it.

It has been a revelation. All the family have joined in ( although DH likes a bit of strong cheddar now and again).

We eat some really good meals and don’t feel like we’re missing out on anything.

I have been reading a lot about animal welfare and the effect that intensive farming has on the environment and I can’t see how anyone can ignore these issues.

AIBU to wish that more people would at least eat fewer animal products and try plant based.

Been vegetarian for 17 years and have never felt like I'm missing out. I am not prepared to give up cheese though

@JuergenSchwarzwald

Also, it's fine if you are just talking about the obvious. But having to look for vegan cakes, and vegan chocolate (and referring to a recent thread, paintings that are not painted with animal-based paints) is too much work.

Yes, I could never be an actual vegan because my mental load is already very heavy and the thought of having to vet bloody everything to make sure it doesn't contain animal products just sounds like more hard work! Life is hard enough!

Absolutely not. We have got saddle of venison for Christmas and I can’t wait to eat it cooked perfectly medium rare.

Poor little Rudolph! 🦌

Suspect that veganism will be the norm within 30 years, and in 100 years people will look back at meat-eating with absolute horror and incomprehension.

I’m vegan and 100% wish that the “I couldn’t live without meat/cheese” brigade would consider living in a world where animals aren’t killed or exploited just to fulfil people’s wants, rather than needs.

Humans are the only animals that treat other animals like utter shit. I hate it. A plant based diet harms no one, harms no animals. Those who can’t give up cheese or meat (🙄) harm so many living things and are too selfish to admit it or change it.

We focus on eating local and eating seasonal and I think that is infinitely better for the planet than a vegan based diet.

We're also farmers and we farm in the Lake District. If it weren't for grazed systems up here, the land would be infinitely poorer for it. We keep sheep as a commodity and a land management tool, you can't do the latter without their being a value for the former.

Veganism is an ideology which is pushed by people who have literally no understanding on land management in this country.

@ChristmasRobins

Suspect that veganism will be the norm within 30 years, and in 100 years people will look back at meat-eating with absolute horror and incomprehension.

Why do you think this?

@Omicrone

And also, I could never live without having proper cheese ever again either.

That’s what I thought- I used to be a real cheese monster.

I don’t care so much now. I buy it for DH and it doesn’t tempt me.?

@Bofthebang

I’m vegan and 100% wish that the “I couldn’t live without meat/cheese” brigade would consider living in a world where animals aren’t killed or exploited just to fulfil people’s wants, rather than needs.

Humans are the only animals that treat other animals like utter shit. I hate it. A plant based diet harms no one, harms no animals. Those who can’t give up cheese or meat (🙄) harm so many living things and are too selfish to admit it or change it.

Agree

I also don’t understand how someone can profess to be an animal lover but eat meat ?

I gave up meat in the mid 90s, these days I occasionally eat fish but that's all. But i will not give up eggs or dairy, (you can prise all the cheese out of my cold dead hands).
I've had to give up gluten so with that and no meat I think my diet is restricted enough thanks, going out for meals or for dinner at friends houses is already difficult enough. Plus, I don't want to be a vegan.

A plant based diet harms no one, harms no animals.

Actually it does. Unless you are growing everything in your own back garden.

@ChristmasRobins

Suspect that veganism will be the norm within 30 years, and in 100 years people will look back at meat-eating with absolute horror and incomprehension.

I absolutely doubt it. 100 years won't do it. Scarcity is more likely to do it. Not horror or revulsion.

We're designed to eat meat.

I have low ferritin levels and meat is what helps the most so going vegan is a no from me.

Plus, I don't want to be a vegan.

This.

I also don’t understand how someone can profess to be an animal lover but eat meat ?

They compartmentalise. At least that’s what my meat eating OH tells me. He eats very little meat or dairy now though so hopefully another year and he’ll be vegan. 🤞

I won't lie, one reason I don't want to be vegan is that I've never met a vegan I liked.

Sorry.

Sanctimonious, preachy, righteous, single-issue, many underweight, often pale and unwell looking.

Didn't do anything to persuade me!

We're also farmers and we farm in the Lake District. If it weren't for grazed systems up here, the land would be infinitely poorer for it. We keep sheep as a commodity and a land management tool, you can't do the latter without their being a value for the former.

I eat hardly any meat but I do wonder about this. If I live in the Dales how locally sourced can my vegan diet be, and am I just part of a different problem

Humans are the only animals that treat other animals like utter shit.

erm.... the wild predators that eat their prey when they are literally still alive would beg to differ.

even the way domestic cats treat small mammals and birds is downright cruel.

I think you’re probably right. I like meat but I haven’t been able to bring myself to eat any for months, because of the guilt. I’ll probably try to slowly transition to veganism next year.

That’s not to say I think everyone will become vegan, but I think it will increasingly become the norm in many countries.

I don't want to be vegan.

I enjoy eating meat, cheese and practically live on eggs some days.

I am not an animal lover, I like some of them the same as I like some people.

No, the two families I know who vegan spent most of 2021 ill. Even today one person just messaged to say got sickness again! My sil who been vegan for years spent 2021 fighting cancer. Its even an awful year for her and even fil in now saying maybe a more balanced diet might help. He vvv supportive before but seeing how ill she was then each of their children...

I tried a lot of vegan products when I was breastfeeding my daughter who had a cow's milk protein allergy. I can't say I was impressed with much of it. The cheese was awful, as was the chocolate. Most of the alternative 'milks' were horrible, and expensive. I'm not a fussy eater but I really can't see how people could permanently eat a vegan diet and enjoy it.

I could perhaps be vegetarian.

All the vegans I know look unhealthy and about twenty years older than they are. That puts me off too.

Loads of my hair fell out when I was vegan - it is only just growing back - I ate very healthily and took supplements. My dh has remained vegan but eats a load of crap whilst turning his nose up at salmon and vegetables. I also agree with those who mentioned the mental load - unfortunately I still have that as I have to feed my dh, the crap eater.

I agree that we eat too much meat, but I don’t believe that cutting it out completely is the answer.

‘Humans are the only animals that treat other animals like utter shit. I hate it. A plant based diet harms no one, harms no animals. Those who can’t give up cheese or meat (🙄) harm so many living things and are too selfish to admit it or change it.’

Have you ever seen a henhouse after a visit from a fox? Or watched a wildlife film of a lion bringing down its prey? Or seek a cat playing with a mouse?
In the wild, the vast majority of animals are killed by predators, die horribly of disease, or starve to death after they become unable - through injury or infirmity - to access their natural food source.
The evidence is pretty compelling that we should eat less meat and fewer animal products. What we should be eating, and how produced, and where sourced, is by no means clear.

Absolutely. And those who bleat on about “wild animals kill other animals” - well yes, they don’t have any other choice! Whereas humans have an abundance of choices which are ignored to absolve themselves of the butchery and wanton advantage taking of beasts that can’t defend themselves ☹️