Vegan Allyship
Sometimes, the way of the world demands a review of social etiquette basics. Whether you’re a vegan who is looking for more harmonious and effective ways to explain your diet, or you just want to be a rad friend or relative of a vegan, the following points summarize what I wish most nonvegans would understand/stop doing.
1. There is no such thing as vitamin meat
Because the world we live in has trained us to focus on a select number of nutrients through extensive lobbying and marketing, it’s common for many nonvegans to have strong opinions and/or beliefs about nutritional sources (especially protein). However, it’s a very skewed view. For example, all protein originates in plants. Animals do not make protein; they get it through their plant-based feed. Their bodies then store, convert, and use these plant-originated proteins in similar ways that our bodies do. Therefore, vegans just cut out the middleman and get their protein straight from plants, and yes, they get enough – actually plenty. It’s the official opinion of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that “properly planned vegan diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of diseases, are environmentally more sustainable, and appropriate for all stages of life”. Pointing out “properly planned is important here, as vegans do need to make sure they have plenty of variety (around 30 different plants per week) in their diet and a B12 supplement. However, variety and proper planning are necessary for any diet if one is to meet all nutritional needs, and B12 deficiency is found amongst those practicing omnivorous diets as well.
2. Think Vegans are weak? Think again!
A common misconception about vegans is they are frail and unable to seriously perform in the world of athletics. If you think this is true, then I encourage you to check out tennis legend Serena Williams; fitness guru Niami Delgado; strongman Patrik Baboumian; Olympian Morgan Mitchell; and professional soccer player Alex Morgan. There are tons more, but the bottom line is that you can be ripped, fast, and incredibly strong on a vegan diet.
3. It's more than rabbit food
As a vegan myself, I’m not keen on salads. I crave them occasionally, but I prefer my leafy greens as a topping or side rather than the main component. That being said, most people assume that vegans only eat salads or raw vegetables. While many vegans are very health conscious and enjoy salads regularly, that is not the only thing we eat. I believe consuming food should not only be nutritious, but it should also be enjoyable. The truth is that anything can be made vegan, and often times you can’t even tell the difference – or it’s even better than the original in some cases. I kid you not! I didn’t have my favorite mac&’cheese’ until going vegan. I also occasionally indulge in pizzas, burgers, and ice cream. The point I’m trying to make is delicious food can be part of a vegan diet, so please do not assume that vegans have completely compromised taste or eat salads for every meal.
4. Be curious and make an effort
When you have a vegan friend or relative in your life, they’ll likely want to share this part of themselves with you because you mean a lot to them, and they want you to accept and know them better. Whenever you’re in these situations, please resist the urge to protest, and just listen. Ask questions when you don’t understand something – and especially when you disagree. Posing your oppositions as questions rather than statements can help keep the conversation flowing smoothly and create a more comfortable atmosphere in which to discuss. Another great way to show support is to try vegan food. You may not like everything you try, but the same can be said for nonvegan food too. Just being open to their world by trying a bite or having a full meal now and then can be instrumental in keeping the relationship healthy. Lastly, if you’re having a party or gathering in which food will be involved, please do your best to accommodate them when possible. While the raw veggie tray is an option, I encourage you to incorporate a vegan main dish. There are millions of recipes online that are quick and easy. Just give one a try.
5. Understand that animal welfare is only 1/3 of the story
Many have chosen to go vegan due solely to animal welfare, and for good reason. Simply put, animal agriculture is atrocious. It’s estimated that nearly 55 billion animals are slaughtered each year to meet the US’ meat and fish consumption demands. These are living, sentient beings who, unnecessarily, endure the most brutal kinds of suffering all to satisfy a fleeting tongue desire. If more people took the time to truly understand the cruelties of how beef, pork, chicken, fish, dairy, and egg products are made available, I think empathizing with the vegan mindset would be a no-brainer.
However, animal welfare is not the only reason people choose to go vegan. Some eat only plants for environmental reasons. Why? Because plant-based diets are shown to be less environmentally impactful and, thus, more sustainable than any other diet. It simply boils down to plants grown for human consumption need less land and resources and are not associated with the harmful pollution seen in animal agriculture. Not to mention deforestation, extinction of wildlife and biodiversity, and extensive damage to our oceans. When the data is scrutinized objectively, it’s easy to see why people have decided to choose plants for every meal: a healthier planet for themselves and future generations.
Lastly, health is a huge motivator for switching to a vegan diet. Studies have linked vegan diets to better heart health, lower cancer and diabetes risks, and healthier BMIs. Not only is there evidence that you can reduce your risks/prevent these diseases, but recent studies show plant-based diets may even reverse them (heart & type II diabetes). In America, heart disease is the leading cause of death, diabetes debilitates 34 million, and 42% of people are categorized as obese. Again, when the data is scrutinized, following a healthful, plant-based diet becomes an easy choice for those looking for more positive health outcomes.
6. Cool it with the jokes
I once read that comedians were thought to be the saddest people in the whole world. It had something to do with using humor as a crutch. I remember being changed by that because I saw the truth in it. Don’t get me wrong, life should be loud, hilarious, impromptu, crazy, and frivolous, but it should also be quiet, introspective, sobering, and sincere. When someone tells you they’re vegan, please resist the urge to make impolite jokes and/or troll them. This advice is first and foremost for your benefit as you’ve probably not done enough research to get into the debate that will likely be coming (depending on the degree of your comments). Secondly, it’s just common courtesy. As mentioned previously, many people choose to go vegan for noble causes. Just like you wouldn’t want your life choices to be reduced to a stupid joke, neither do they. It’s uncomfortable for them – and probably everyone else in the room – and it damages the relationship. Just be respectful.
In summary:
- Nutritional deficiencies are not an issue on a properly planned vegan diet.
- Vegans can be just as athletically competitive as nonvegans.
- Vegan food is conducive to culinary creativity and taste doesn’t have to be compromised.
- Questions should be asked when you have reservations or don’t understand something. Accommodation at parties/events for those who simply eat differently than you goes a long way.
- When it comes to animal welfare, sustainability, and personal health, veganism can be seen as a win-win-win.
- Making dumb jokes and trolling isn’t getting any laughs. Be considerate.
4 thoughts on “Vegan Allyship”
I’m absolutely in love with this. I feel like being “vegan” is still pretty new to most people. Everyone has an idea of it but aren’t around many vegans or just substitute facts for what they think. Thank you for a fun, educational read. Can’t wait to read more. I love you sis.
Such a fantastic read! I learned something new from the first few sentences and can’t wait to practice being a vegan ally. I’m excited to follow along on your vegan journey and learn more ways I can incorporate veganism into my lifestyle!
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the
issues. It was truly informative. Your website is very useful.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be interesting to read through content from other writers and use something from their websites.