Veganism

Difference Between a “Vegetarian” and a “Vegan”

A vegetarian is someone who chooses not to eat meat (which includes poultry, fish and shellfish) or products derived from dead animals, such as animal fats or gelatin.

A vegan diet excludes meat and all animal products. Therefore a vegan will not eat eggs, honey or dairy products, or any products derived from these, such as whey powder or lactic acid. Veganism extends beyond just food and diet into a whole lifestyle, so vegans will also avoid the use of animal products such as wool, silk, and leather and buy pharmaceutical products that have not been tested on animals.

The Flesh-Eating DietLet’s face it, in reality eating meat = eating decomposed rotting

flesh. Here some “fun facts” I have complied about the meat eating diet:

• The journal of clinical nutrition and the New England Journal of Medicine stated that meat eaters are much more likely to be overweight than vegans

• When we put food in our mouths, the digestion process begins, due to saliva. Our saliva is not meant to break down animal flesh. Hydrochloric acid, essential for digesting carcass, is secreted in very small amounts in our stomachs. Animals on the other hand, have ten times more hydrochloric acid than ours.

• In America there are ten billion animals slaughtered each year for human consumption, the vast majority of them come from factory farms. These farms have terrible living conditions for animals. For example pigs and cows are imprisoned in stalls so small, they are unable to turn around or lie down comfortably

• More meat, milk and eggs means more money for the farmers. So to grow them larger or have them produce more, animals are given steroids and growth hormones. So every time you consume factory farmed chicken, beef veal, pork, eggs or dairy you are eating antibiotics, pesticides steroids and hormones. Which has been linked to colon cancer, heart attacks, high cholesterol, obesity and stroke.

So, maybe it is time to try some awesome soy based fake meat products. Soy has been lauded for lowering cholesterol, protecting against cancer, reducing the risk of heart attacks and helping the body to better utilize calcium!

What Does a Vegan Eat?Allowed

• All fruits• All vegetables• Grains

– try buying whole grains, it’s better for you!

• Nuts• Seeds• Legumes• Tofu• Soy

– There are many soy meat and dairy alternatives that taste just like the real thing!

Avoid• Animal Meat

– Red meat, poultry, white meat, fish

• Animal Milks– Cow, Sheep and goat dairy

products (including cheese, yogurt, cream, and butter,

• Eggs• Honey

• Other Animal Products – Gelatin, cochineal, and shellac

Make up of a Vegan Diet

18%

12%

34%

12%

12%

12%Vegetables

Fruits

Whole Grains

Fortified DairySubstituteLegumes andBeansOther

List of Potentially Bad Ingredients These foods are generally found in animal meat or animal by-products (Source:

Skinny Bitch)

• Ambergris: From whale intestines. Used as a flavoring in foods and beverages• Artificial colour, FD & C food colour: derived from coal-tar. Can contain trace

amounts of lead and arsenic. Potentially carcinogenic. • Butylated Hhydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT): An

antioxidant and/or preservative commonly found in baked goods, bacon and foods containing artificial colours or flavours. Can cause cancer, birth defects and infertility

• Gelatin: Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments and/or bones with water. From cows and pigs, used in candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts

• Lipase: enzyme from the stomachs and tongue glands of calves, baby goats and lambs. Used in cheese making.

• Nitrates: potentially deadly, carcinogenic preservatives. Found in processed foods and meats.

• Rapeseed Oil: an emulsifier and stabilizer found in baked goods, dairy products processed meats. Can cause cancer, heart disease and vision loss

The Environmental Argument

Source: http://www.activeg.org/articles/437.html

• As shown below, vegan’s have a significantly smaller ecological footprint. Thus vegans can actually help the planet!

End NotesDisclaimer:The views expressed in this presentation are mine

and mine alone. I am not trying to convince anyone to become a vegan. I simply want to explain to others what a vegan’s life is like. I am not making judgments on those who eat meat and animal by-products. If this offends anyone then I apologize, for I am not seeking out to do so. If this inspires others to follow my footsteps then I am happy I could encourage someone. However, this is not my intention.

Works Cited Works Cited: • Acclaim Images, "Fruit and Veg Cartoons." Stock Photography &

Fine Art Prints. Acclaim Images. 9 Oct 2008 <http://www.acclaimimages.com/search_terms/cartoon_vegetables.html>.

• Baker , Amanda . "What Vegans Eat ." Vegan Society . May 2004. Spirit Quest. 4 Oct 2008 <http://www.vegansociety.com/food/>.

• Davies, Noah. "Daily Blogs." [Weblog PETA2 Daily Blog] February 17, 2006. Peta. 9 Oct 2008 <http://blog.peta2.com/2006/02/just_when_you_thought_youd_hea.html>.

• Freedman, Rory, and Kim Barnouin. Skinny Bitch. New York, NY: Running P, 2005.

• Kent, Tonbridge . "Why Go Vegan ." Vegan Month. 3 Oct 2008 <http://www.veganmonth.com/>.

• "Vegan Definitions." Vegan Month. Sept 1 2008 . Vegan Volumes . 9 Oct 2008 <http://www.veganvolumes.co.uk/definitions.htm>.