Why Going Vegan Was the Easiest Decision I Ever Made
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
When I was sixteen, I made the decision to stop eating meat. I didn’t want to contribute to the industry anymore, and I had finally made the connection between my dog and a pig; they weren’t all that different. I began to educate myself on what exactly happens in factory farms and animal agriculture. I loved animals, but somehow my brain had separated them from the food. What was on my plate was just steak, and I didn’t give a second thought to where or who it came from. I cut out dairy, too, because if you know anything about the dairy industry, it’s not a pleasant day in an open field with farmers walking around milking the cows. Feel free to research it yourself if you’d like to see it, but I will spare you the details. Since going plant-based, I have learned so much about health, wellness, the environment, and what really goes on behind the scenes that industries don’t want you to see. Aside from wanting to help animals and not hurt them, I realized that being vegan is the best thing one can do for their health and the planet. Really—it’s not as hard as you might think.
For The Planet
Animal agriculture takes up 80% of the world’s land. Yes, 80%. According to Climate Nexus, animal agriculture is responsible for the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as the entire transportation industry, and one-third of the world’s biodiversity loss is due to livestock farming. The evidence is pretty clear: a significant factor in our dying Earth is caused by eating animals.
For Your Health
There’s a common misconception that vegans are deficient in vitamins and protein. But, I can tell you that I haven’t had an ounce of meat or dairy in nearly six years, and not only am I still alive, but healthy, too. It’s all about mindful eating and knowing what you are putting in your body. While meat is an easy way to get a lot of protein in a single serving, it also comes with all of the bad stuff; antibiotics, toxins, and saturated fat. The saturated fat found in animal products, especially eggs and meat, is extremely harmful to your body. According to a study done by the National Library of Medicine, people who had one serving of meat per day increased their chances of getting type 2 diabetes by 51%. These same fats are very harmful to your heart health, and are also carcinogenic, considering an increased risk of developing cancer was also found. In a study conducted by the Cancer Research Center at Tel Aviv University, researchers found a link between meat and dairy consumption and an increased risk of developing cancer due to an antibody that develops in our blood.
It’s scary to think that the food we eat, while we may consider it a healthy diet, has such a negative impact on our health. However, it’s all about awareness, education, and mindful eating. As we know, you are what you eat.
I often get asked, “isn’t being vegan expensive?” The short answer is no unless you buy nothing but meat and dairy alternatives which can be pretty pricey.
In college, it’s hard to budget and not feel like you’re spending a lot on food. I can’t lie; it was a bit hard at first, especially living in a dorm without a kitchen. The dining hall had some vegan options, but once I got a rice cooker for my dorm, I could make everything from pasta, rice, beans, and sauteed vegetables. Something to keep in mind is that everything has protein, just not as you may know it. One cup of spinach has five grams of protein, and one cup of peas has eight grams. While it may not substitute the amount of protein in meat, you can also mix in other sources like chickpeas, rice and beans, grain bread, etc. These are all relatively inexpensive items, and you can find some great protein sources here. If you aren’t into cooking, Trader Joe’s has some inexpensive options like frozen vegan pizza and frozen “chicken” strips.
Once in a while, I’ll splurge and get Impossible meat (which has 19 grams of pea protein) and make burgers or bolognese pasta. If you haven’t tried it and are looking for a beef alternative, it’s pretty convincing.
I personally believe veganism is worth the sacrifice of convenience. I can’t justify eating meat because it’s easy or tastes good. It simply isn’t worth the consequences; the animals who needlessly died for it, the health of the planet, and our own health. Our bodies can thrive off of a plant-based diet. It can even be fun to try new foods and create new recipes. The only question is the willingness of people to try it, educate themselves, and make decisions for the greater good. I’m not saying everyone needs to go vegan overnight, but each small step you take will make a huge difference. We need more flexitarians and meatless Mondays. The small sacrifices we make every day will pay off in a future of good health and a happy planet.
Some of my favorite vegans to follow for recipes, inspiration, and education are Cheap Lazy Vegan, Earthling Ed, and Robbie Lockie at Plant Based News.
Strike Out,
Emma Saunders
Boca Raton
Emma Saunders is a Content Writer and Photographer for Strike Magazine Boca. In her free time, she enjoys saving the planet, drinking iced coffee, and listening to Red (Taylor’s Version only) on repeat. You can reach her at emmarose3900@icloud.com
