Living completely on plant-based food isn't a bad thing, and a lot of us just think we can't cope, probably because of the connection we already have with animal food products. It is very understandable, and if we look deeply, we will realize that veganism has a strong connection to cultural heritage and family background that a lot of people can't relate to or even understand at all.
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For many Nigerians, veganism is not a thing that crosses our minds at all because 99.9% of the Nigerian population can't do without eating animal-food products daily, and it's not surprising because we began the consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and others at the infant stage, so we can't expect an easy switch from what we used to know.
I remember sometimes ago when my neighbor's child grew his first tooth, his dad was so happy and got some chicken feet, which is a tradition here for many families. Although the little boy can't chew, I can tell that the properly seasoned chicken feet stole his heart, and he grew up crying when he saw cooked chicken feet; he just wants it and nothing more. Imagine such a child growing in an adult and someone suddenly introduces him to veganism, it wouldn't be an easy thing to accept but it's not impossible.
From experience, many of us have even settled for a vegan diet unintentionally due to financial reasons, but the moment we can afford the things we actually want, we migrate back to eating as usual.
I will say veganism is something anyone who is taking it up must be very intentional about because since there aren't many vegans in the country, it would be a very difficult practice. Despite the challenges involved, there are a lot of benefits beyond personal gains, as veganism also benefits the ecosystem in different ways.
Is being a vegan something you can attempt?
In response to the Hive Learners third weekly prompt, I will say that veganism is something that I can give a try because I have explored some vegan diets with my culinary skills, and it's not as bad as many people think. I have tried a few snacks, soup, and even meals inspired by veganism, and they aren't bad. It would interest you to know that vegans have a way of enjoying everything non-vegans are having without breaking their commitment.
A vegan inspired milk
I have mentioned a few times how I experience bloating with certain sources of protein, and milk is one of them. My wife told me that we could actually try a vegan milk, and we did a little check on different recipes. We made one, and I waited as usual for my belly to bloat, but it didn't happen, meaning I can actually enjoy milk in another way, but it wouldn't be a typical source of protein like drinking animal milk that gives you everything you need as protein at once.
There are lots of benefits to veganism, and just today, I thought about the possibility of a world where we have to depend on plants for everything someday. It would indeed be a messy situation for many, right?
Have you tried it before?
Going completely vegan isn't something I have tried, but several times I have enjoyed vegan diets and think there is nothing bad about them. It's just that we aren't used to those meals, and it can be difficult to completely switch.
As a matter of fact, the vegan lifestyle is health. A lot of people know this but veganism is still not an option due to what we are used to and if veganism was the major practice in the world, vegans will see non-vegans as weird people too.
How long do you think you can go before falling back to your old ways?
Aside from the temptation to try animal-food products that will kick in often since I don't live around vegans, one of the setbacks I can have as a vegan is being able to plan my diet to prevent missing out on the necessary nutrients my body needs.
I don't know how long it will take, but once my diet fails and I start struggling with some nutrients, going back to my old way isn't evitable.
Do you feel it's a healthier way of living?
I think it's healthier when diets are properly planned because it can be challenging getting things right at first. Our body requires different nutrients to reach its full functionality, and plants can give us all if we can plan our diet properly.
Staying committed to the vegan life and doing it right can keep us away from different illnesses, and that's a win for it.
Despite not being a vegan, I do not see anything wrong with it, and like I mentioned earlier, many Nigerians wouldn't think of veganism as a weird thing if it's a family tradition or part of our cultural heritage. I love exploring when it comes to food, and hopefully I can get the chance to live as a vegan who doesn't lack any form of nutrients for probably a month so I can properly compare between the vegan and non-vegan diet.
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Your reflection on the challenges and benefits of veganism in a cultural context is truly insightful. It’s fascinating how deeply ingrained our dietary habits are, especially when they’re tied to family traditions and cultural practices. I admire your open-mindedness in trying vegan meals and recognizing the potential health benefits, even if it’s not an easy switch. Your experience with vegan milk is a great example of how small changes can have a positive impact. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful perspective on this topic!
Small changes can indeed have a positive impact and I wasn't expecting it not to affect me. A lot of times, the fact that people have sealed their mind against things even without trying it out will make them miss out on some goodies.
Honestly, I am open to a vegan diet and it's worth trying. Thanks for your contribution and cheers to a beautiful weekend.
This is both educative and eye opening for me... Didn't know we could get all the nutrients if well planned from plants.
But I still wouldn't want to go the vegan lifestyle though, I'll fall back to my normal eating style in no time 😅
Plants can actually give us all the nutrients we need but it requires knowing about the diet. I once read about someone who switched to being a vegan and he lost weight as if he was ill.
He didn't understand the vegan diet plan and that was his issue. I can relate to the temptation to always go back to our former food but with discipline and staying around people with the same goal, you can overcome the temptation.
I had a friend who took her vegan journey seriously. While we were together, I was adapting but after we parted ways, I didnt know when I returned to my usual lifestyle. You have made great points in this article, life is all about trying new things.
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