Why do so many people criticise vegans?

[trunch]

I'm a meat eater!

However, I don't understand why people criticise vegans so much.

They aren't hurting me and are trying to save animals and the environment.

What's wrong with that?

Surely people should be more critical of me because animals are killed for me to eat?

But what would you class as “self righteous”? I’m interested because I’m vegan and I usually find the abuse only goes one way?

Also ref the B12 the only reasons most meat eaters get it is it is given to the animals as a supplement... in their feed! So to say that a vegan diet is insufficient in b12 and so an unsuitable diet, but a meat eating diet is somehow fine - is a poor argument - as so would their diet be deficient if the animals were not supplemented as part of their feed.

Beef has the largest carbon footprint of any food

I'm here!

Just reading the "interesting" responses!

I'm technically a.meat eater but mostly eat vegan (dhal, veg burgers, falafel, bean chilli type stuff). But some of my friends get really evangelical about being vegan and it's just tedious. A friend I met up with the other week noticed I'd eaten chicken (first time in over a month!) and has been inundating me with posts with dead animals. I have nothing against vegans, it's their choice of course, but my choice is equally valid and it's annoying to constantly feel judged

I'm far healthier with a vegan diet. When I ate animal products I often didn't even get my 5 a day in. Animal products are are so filling, easily accessible and appetising there was little room, and even less motivation, to eat boring old plants. Now plants are all I eat, I have around ten fruit and veg a day, a huge variety of different ones and have come to enjoy them. I've never felt better.

Oh good god. Mother Theresa led by example. Jesus did. Florence Nightingale.

Vegan fucking god complex here, much?

Maybe come back and show us a photograph of your halo?

I’m veggie. My choice. Others can eat what they want. You’re not morally superior for being vegan. Stop it.

One thing I would say, having read all the comments on here saying vegans are "evangelical" and "preachy" I actually disagree (yes a small percentage can be). It reminds me a bit of the study they did on women speaking in a meeting with men. When the men were asked how much the women spoke, they thought it was 70% of the time. In reality it was way lower (like 25% of the time or something) but due to their own cognitive bias and sexism they perceived it completely differently to the actual reality. I think vegans are often seen in this distorted way. Not saying there are no preachy vegans, but I think there are way less than people think, and also it goes the other way (aggressive meat eaters harrassing vegans) more often than not. At least in my own experience.

Interesting article on why vegans, by merely existing, sparks rage in non-vegans.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325220

I don't think people do criticise "vegans". People criticise anyone, whatever they're doing, when they're forceful with opinions. If you're a vegan quietly, not a problem.

I have no idea. Not a vegan but I think it's an admirable philosophy.

I will say that I barely ever meet vegans who 'bang on' about it, but I do meet many very rude, very annoying meat-eaters who love complaining about vegans.

My son-in-law is vegan. He's nice, and really doesn't go on and on about it. But he still makes me feel a teeny bit guilty that I still eat dairy and eggs, just by existing in the same space.

@RedRosie - isn’t that the same stick mothers choosing formula used to beat those of us who breastfed with? That we made them feel guilty about bottle feeding by our choices to do the ‘better’ thing?

I don’t feel guilty about eating eggs. I do feel a bit guilty about dairy. Given my username I am obviously not going to chose alleviating the distress of a cow separated from her calf over access to cheese. But I don’t feel guilty in the presence of vegans because I’m confident in my choices.

To be fair though, carrots don't suffer.

It's like saying 'I don't lecture people on being a serial killer so why are they intent of telling me its wrong'.

This is a really good point.

Read my and other vegans comments upthread. You are wrong in your assertion that "people don't criticise vegans". As a quiet vegan / veggie my whole life I absolutely have the opposite experience.

I think it depends on the vegan. I have several vegan friends and family members. On the whole them being vegan isn't an issue, isn't something we talk about, I certainly don't criticise. However I have a friend and a separate family member who both comment massively on what others are eating if we go out, talk a lot about their veganism and are annoying about it. So yes, I criticise them!

It's the same with religion. I just go about my life, quietly loving God, not spouting out religious nonsense or trying to convert people. The only time it comes up would be "can you come over at 10 on Sunday?" "No, sorry I'm at church, how about 12?".

People who quietly go about their lives generally don't get criticised!

Actually they discovered that plants also feel pain (just not in the same biological way animals do). But vegans like to ignore that.

nautil.us/plants-feel-pain-and-might-even-see-238257/

As a veggie I am sick to death of being told by vegans that I should also give up dairy. I am also sick to death of being given fake UPF meat every time I want to eat out.

I have every sympathy with their beliefs but the constant evangelising is more than annoying and very counterproductive.

And there it is

Happily, most of the vegans I know are very committed (religious reasons) and wouldn't dream of taking this attitude, but I've also met a few for whom it's a silly fad they follow only when it suits - though one they feel a need to lecture everyone else about endlessly

The first group are always very welcome - they're generous with some of their amazing recipes too - and the second don't get invited again

So much of our lives revolve around food and drink it’s difficult for vegans to not mention it tbh. It’s not ‘banging on about it’, it’s just necessary to mention it.

In many other countries meat and dairy are not the default

My gosh, yes! Very interesting.

Usually its not the vegan who mentions it, its the meat eater, much like drinkers and non drinkers

This is nonsense. You do know marmite contains B12? And it's vegan. Also nutritional yeast.

It's not facts at all. That's my point. I think animals are there for us to eat. That's their purpose. If you don't want to eat them that's fine, but claiming people that do eat meat and somehow repress guilt for it is exactly the kind of attitude from some vegans that it being mentioned here.

They may feel pain (in a different way to an animal as the nervous system is completely different), but we all need to eat something - are are you suggesting we vegans should all just eat nothing?

There's a big difference between eating a plant (and its related nervous system) and an animal (and its nervous system).