What is Veganism?
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.
I honestly thought I couldn’t do it when I first learned about veganism because I grew up snacking on cheese and powdered milk whenever they were available, and I didn’t know how to go vegan and what isn’t vegan.
But after learning the consequences of my actions, I realized that becoming a vegan isn’t all that difficult.
So, what’s the point of going vegan?Â
Few things you need to know about veganism
- A vegan can save 100 animal lives per year.
- Going vegan is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
- A plant-based diet reduces the risk of heart disease.
There are numerous factors to consider going vegan, but let’s start with the most important one: ANIMALS.
Why become vegan for the animals
A few years ago, I saw many videos about animal cruelty and how humans are raising animals for food.
The dairy industry is the most heinous of them all. I’ll never forget the video of a terrified cow being transported to a slaughterhouse and the short documentary about what’s in your milk and how dairy cows spend their entire lives producing milk for humans.
Male calves are typically discarded because they do not reproduce, and male chicks are ground alive shortly after hatching.
I can still see the agony in my dog’s eyes as he stared at me before dying in my hands, and every time I see pigs, which are more intelligent than dogs, I can see the same agony on their way to the slaughterhouse in their eyes.
Animals, I believe, hold a special place in our hearts. Which do you think a child will eat if you give him an apple or a rabbit?
Paul McCartney once said,
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.
And I couldn’t agree more. Â
Next is the ENVIRONMENT.
Why become vegan for the environment​
Because I am so concerned about animals, I researched what is happening to our planet.
I’ve seen several documentaries about veganism; one is Cowspiracy, which profoundly impacted me. It discusses how animal agriculture contributes to global warming and other pollution issues.
Effects of animal farming on the environment
- Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than the exhaust from all transportation combined.
- Eating 1 pound of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce.
- Animal agriculture is the top contributor to Amazon deforestation.
- Overfishing is tearing the ocean apart.
Meat consumption weakens our compassion for animals and destroys our planet with every bite.
We’d most likely be dead when the earth could no longer support us, but what about future generations? Can we, at the very least, slow the destruction for them?
See also: Environmental benefits of veganism
And lastly, HEALTH.
Some Health Benefits of a vegan diet
- It can help you maintain your weight.
- It promotes healthy aging.
- It lowers the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Why become vegan for your health
I’ve learned how a whole-food plant-based diet can improve health and even eliminate or control some of the world’s most deadly diseases.
As a person suffering from asthma, eczema, and acne, I considered making the switch immediately. I started by eliminating dairy because it is one of the hardest to let go of since it produces casomorphins when digested, making it addictive.
Good thing I noticed the effects immediately. I experienced fewer allergies, zits, and mucus. My lung condition is now at its peak. I used to be hospitalized for severe asthma attacks and had to take maintenance medication twice a day, but the attacks are almost non-existent now, and I rarely get sick. It also helps with my eczema and acne flare-ups. I thought about eating raw and oil-free in the hopes of getting clear skin, but I couldn’t give up fried foods.
A raw food plant-based diet is a fantastic way to detox. It has greatly aided my grandmother in reversing her heart disease. She was diagnosed with third-degree (complete) atrioventricular block and told she needed an angioplasty. We were all worried about her going under the knife, so we turned to Naturopathy.
We went to the famous Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Tam Mateo, and my grandmother was prescribed protocols, herbal medicines, and recipes to help her clogged arteries heal. Guess what? The surgery didn’t happen. Thanks to raw garlic! Â
When it comes to nutrition, there are numerous factors to consider. Are we eating healthy? Do we need supplements? Are we inadvertently consuming something we shouldn’t?
Instead of a shopping list of medicines, how about a shopping list of fruits and vegetables?
Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.
-Hippocrates
We do not have to sacrifice other living beings, the environment, or our health for our appetite. There are numerous different options in the Philippines nowadays. So perhaps we should go for the better. Perhaps it’s time to check the labels.
These are the reasons why I became vegan. Â
Do you need help in transitioning? Leave a comment below or send us a message.
If you want to know more, click these links to get started:  What factory animals go through every single day, facts about how animal agriculture is harmful to the planet and about what you eat.
