Article Contributed by: Ziad Haggag
Every year, more and more people become vegan. As of March 2021, the total number of vegans in the world is approx 79 million. By going vegan, it means that you’re making a huge favor to our planet. Living without meat, dairy, eggs and fish. If you’re curious about veganism, this is the right article for you.
First of all, what is Veganism?
The term ‘vegan’ was defined in 1944 by Donald Watson, veganism is an extreme form of ‘vegetarianism’ which means prohibiting the use of animal products.
Why do people go Vegan?
Vegans choose to avoid eating animals for environmental, health and animal rights purposes.
By going Vegan, do I actually help the environment?
According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, meat and dairy specifically accounts for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, “raising animals for food consumes more than half of all water used in the U.S.
And yet it takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat but only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat” according to PETA. In fact, producing just one hamburger consumes enough fossil fuel to drive a car 32 kilometers. Also, did you know that eating meat is one of the reasons for climate change?
Animal Rights
You want to stop animal cruelty? Go vegan and spread the awareness.
Here’s something you probably didn’t know. an unbelievably huge number of animals is slaughtered every year just for food production, in fact in billions!
And animals do have emotional feelings, taking away calves from their mothers is not really a pretty scene, imagine someone taking away your own child from you.
Health Issues
Did you know that plant-based diets may reduce your risk of many types of cancer, premature death and heart diseases. People also consider going vegan to lose weight and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
No, you will not be lacking any protein due to not eating any meat.
So you decided to go vegan, and decided to tell everyone the great news.
As a result, you’ll probably hear about this myth a lot “you’re not getting enough protein.” “Veganism will affect your health.” “You’ll only eat grass from now on.” Well most of us know that these are nothing but myths; in fact, vegan food contains more protein than meat. For example, a cup of spinach is equivalent to 5 grams of protein, other protein sources are beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy products, peanut butter and nuts.
And, if you wanna go vegan but you can’t imagine life without a tasty cheese burger, you’ll find plant-based burgers/meat at most grocery stores now, same thing goes to chicken and dairy products.
To conclude, going vegan is better for your health and for the environment. Start by yourself and maybe try it out for a few weeks. It’s only a matter of dedication, and who knows? you might end up liking it and stick with it your whole life.