Page 8 | Why do so many people criticise vegans?

trunch · 2025-01-09T16:45:31+00:00

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?

Feelingathomenow · 09/01/2025 18:42

Tagyoureit · 09/01/2025 18:38

I am genuinely confused how some "vegan" food are so overly processed that I can't help thinking that it can't be vegan anymore purely because of the process to make it in big, fuel emitting factories.

I get not wanting to eat meat etc but natural products such as cows milk is frowned upon but producing "milk" from nuts by using masses of water is OK? Surely that goes against the whole point?
Squishing beans with food colourings and preservatives to make it look and taste like bacon just seems odd to me.

I think vegans object to the removal of calves (look up how distressed mother and calves are) from dairy cows and the subsequent killing of a lot of these calves. Also the killing of the male chicks a by product of the egg industry. This is as well as the general poor conditions many of these animals are kept in.

roota · 09/01/2025 18:44

@WhatALazyCat Agreed. The vegan bingo on this thread is funny.

"rabbit food"

"preachy"

"carrots feel pain"

"bacon sandwich"

"fake meat is awful"

"unhealthy"

"b12"

And all the other regular ones... LOL

ScarlettSunset · 09/01/2025 18:44

Merryberrypie · 09/01/2025 18:25

So you got a lot of ‘hassle from meat eaters’ who would criticise your food choice as a vegetarian but say that one vegan criticised your food choice and yet it is only that one vegan you feel annoyed with. Hmm interesting, you should examine why you feel that way.

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Oh that's just a misunderstanding
I am annoyed at the meat eaters too. But the topic of this thread is about vegans. I was saying I don't have an issue with vegans as a group - just that one very specific person .
And editing to say I also have no issues generally with those who eat meat either - just those who criticise me for my choices

00psInamechangedagain · 09/01/2025 18:45

HonorHaymaker · 09/01/2025 18:26

Yes @Bollocksmorelike but that's only if you think that they are making a better moral choice than you. Many omnivores don't think there is anything wrong with eating meat, fish or dairy, and their views are just as valid surely.

Ultimately we all do what is right for us and that could be due to our morals, upbringing, religion, wealth, health, ability and just what we enjoy eating.

Half of Los Angeles is literally on fire because of climate change right now, and not eating meat and dairy is probably the single biggest thing any individual can do to try and keep global heating within tolerable limits and reduce the likelihood of more hideous tragedies like this. So with all due respect, if someone holds the opinion that there is nothing wrong with being an omnivore, then that opinion is wrong.

WhatALazyCat · 09/01/2025 18:45

Feelingathomenow · 09/01/2025 18:38

Just have a Quick Look on any vegan recipe page on say facebooknand see what we have to contend with.

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I agree with that. I have a website and tiktok only for vegan recipes and I have to remove lots of nasty comments each week. Also just lots of emojis of pigs etc. It’s really pathetic.

HereForTheAnimals · 09/01/2025 18:47

@roota what about the 'But what if you were stranded on an Island with just a pig'? 🤣

roota · 09/01/2025 18:48

HereForTheAnimals · 09/01/2025 18:47

@roota what about the 'But what if you were stranded on an Island with just a pig'? 🤣

Oh god I forgot about that one! Won't be long before someone says it again in real life though😂

FrippEnos · 09/01/2025 18:49

roota · 09/01/2025 17:52

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.

I think that you are ignoring your own bias.
I have seen meat eaters go after vegans, but I have seen vegans do the same to meat eaters.
I suspect that we have all seen footage of vegans harassing people in butchers shops and doing the same in steak houses etc. I have yet to see meat eaters do the opposite.

Createausername1970 · 09/01/2025 18:50

LittleRedRidingHoody · 09/01/2025 16:50

Because SOME vegans enjoy making others feel uncomfortable about their life choices and can be judgemental.

In retaliation, SOME meat eaters now 'fight back' and make fun of vegans, because they feel they themselves are being judged.

And it's a loop!

Personally vegans annoy me because I'm vegetarian, and since the rise of veganism there are far fewer veggie options on menus (cheese!) and everything is plant based 👀 But other than that minor offence, I have nothing against them 😂

Yeah, this. I eat meat, but I wouldn't say I was a meat eater. I would just have likely chosen a veggie option as a meat option from a menu.

But i miss my cheese and eggs, so a vegan option isn't always an alternative for me, or it's a bit reliant on fake foods, so I now end up with the meat option more often.

WhatALazyCat · 09/01/2025 18:50

Kenway01 · 09/01/2025 18:28

but then thats down to the food industry to create new foods, pubs etc can only sell whats available

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They can make dishes that are vegetarian and vegan. If they choose not to, that’s on them. Blaming vegans is silly.

blacksax · 09/01/2025 18:51

Maybe it's because many non-vegans don't much like being on the receiving end of a contemptuous lecture.

Most of the vegans I know are lovely, but I once worked with one who was really quite nasty to everybody.

roota · 09/01/2025 18:53

FrippEnos · 09/01/2025 18:49

I think that you are ignoring your own bias.
I have seen meat eaters go after vegans, but I have seen vegans do the same to meat eaters.
I suspect that we have all seen footage of vegans harassing people in butchers shops and doing the same in steak houses etc. I have yet to see meat eaters do the opposite.

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@FrippEnos to be fair I did mention that there are vegans that are outspoken (and in that I was referring to people like those). But I think people mistake these few vocal ones for the majority, and that is wrong in my experience, knowing many veggies and vegans those types are in the minority.

And FWIW I don't agree that is a good way to get people to go vegan, I think it does more harm than good. There are way better ways to convince people, if that is what you're looking to do.

mathanxiety · 09/01/2025 18:53

MissysMeemaw · 09/01/2025 16:49

I am vegan. I feel it's because we show them by example that it is easy and possible, and they therefore have no excuse for their choices to eat meat and dairy - people know we don't need it, they know it is cruel, and vegans' mere existence makes them feel guilty for not making the same choice.

Some people find vegans rather 'holier than thou'.

HonorHaymaker · 09/01/2025 18:54

@00psInamechangedagain - you're demonstating perfectly why people have issues with vegans.

I know that eating meat and dairy is contributing to climate change. I also know that having been vegan for 4 years, my health and well being was suffering as a result. Are you suggesting that I sacrifice myself in the noble cause of reducing climate change?

Kenway01 · 09/01/2025 18:54

WhatALazyCat · 09/01/2025 18:50

They can make dishes that are vegetarian and vegan. If they choose not to, that’s on them. Blaming vegans is silly.

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but then if you sell more meat based products in a food restaurant then why would you sell aq large selection of vegan products ?

Liv999 · 09/01/2025 18:55

peppermintgreengrass · 09/01/2025 16:48

I admire vegans. I think people who criticise vegans, or teatotallers, are insecure twats who can’t cope with people making choices that reflect better on those people than the twats’ choices do on them.

Edited

This

Garlicnorth · 09/01/2025 18:56

wintersgold · 09/01/2025 17:53

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.

The only true vegan I've known well enough to eat with DOES go on about it. She harangues anyone eating animal-derived food, saying it's disgusting. She goes on about farmed animal suffering (much of which isn't even true in the UK). Her choice is obviously more ethical, everyone already knows that, so she is actively trying to put her companions off their food. I don't see her any more as she wouldn't stop doing it.

I've never met a meat-eater going on about vegans.

MayaPinion · 09/01/2025 18:57

I quite like vegans, but I couldn’t eat a whole one.

RobinEllacotStrike · 09/01/2025 18:57

I don't mind vegans at all but I couldn't eat a whole one <shrug>

RobinEllacotStrike · 09/01/2025 18:58

@MayaPinion 😂😂😂

Perhaps we could share one?

moomindragon · 09/01/2025 18:58

I think it probably just makes people feel bad about their own choices or like they are somehow being preached at (even if they're not).

MayaPinion · 09/01/2025 18:59

Most vegans are fine, but you have to admit that some of them are up their own holes, as this thread amply demonstrates.

moomindragon · 09/01/2025 19:00

Garlicnorth · 09/01/2025 18:56

The only true vegan I've known well enough to eat with DOES go on about it. She harangues anyone eating animal-derived food, saying it's disgusting. She goes on about farmed animal suffering (much of which isn't even true in the UK). Her choice is obviously more ethical, everyone already knows that, so she is actively trying to put her companions off their food. I don't see her any more as she wouldn't stop doing it.

I've never met a meat-eater going on about vegans.

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I know a lot of vegans and I don't know anyone who does this.

Not saying the person you know isn't annoying - she sounds like a nightmare to be honest! - but just in my experience I haven't met anyone that preachy.

I've met vegans who talk a lot about being vegan, but not in a condescending way - they just seem to like talking about what they eat.

I've also met vegans who I didn't know were vegan until I was cooking a meal for them and they quietly let me know.

roota · 09/01/2025 19:00

@MayaPinion read back, I think you will find it works both ways.

mathanxiety · 09/01/2025 19:01

00psInamechangedagain · 09/01/2025 18:45

Half of Los Angeles is literally on fire because of climate change right now, and not eating meat and dairy is probably the single biggest thing any individual can do to try and keep global heating within tolerable limits and reduce the likelihood of more hideous tragedies like this. So with all due respect, if someone holds the opinion that there is nothing wrong with being an omnivore, then that opinion is wrong.

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Cue comments about failing to see the downside of Los Angeles being burnt to ashes...