Newsflash. Veganism might be harming animals, the planet AND your health. Yes, really.
On one hand, the explosion in veganism means that the call for animal rights and a cleaner planet is being heard by an increasingly wider audience. On the other hand, big business has jumped on the trend with relish, offering us a mountain of vegan options that don't actually qualify for that label. When we look at these foods closely, we see that they hurt animals and mother earth. And when it comes to your health? They're rubbish. (Don't worry though, there is a solution).
Allow me to begin with the health aspect.
Vegan energy bars. Look at the label and you'll find dates as the first ingredient, you'll also find concentrated fruit juice (sugar), date syrup (sugar), agave nectar (sugar), maltodextrin (sugar) - I could go on. Thing is, these sugars might be from fruit, but they will spike your blood sugar levels, just like a chocolate bar might. And where you've got elevated blood sugar levels, you've got weight gain, inflammation, diabetes, etc. Ok, you're getting some fibre and healthy fats. But don't kid yourself. These are NOT a health food, even though they're marketed as such. Solution? Grab a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit, or make your own low-sugar energy balls.
Crisps, whether potato, chickpea, lentil, parsnip, carrot, etc.: A crisp is a crisp is a crisp. Whatever they're made of, they are cooked at very high temperatures (which creates acrylamides-carcinogenic compounds), most often with vegetable oil (high in omega 6, which is inflammatory). They don't satisfy hunger, they contain nothing nutritionally interesting-vegan, certainly. Good for you? Nope. Solution? Make up a batch of healthy hummus and enjoy with raw veggies (all the crunch, no nasties).
Aquafaba: if you've not heard about aquafaba, you soon will, it's the next big thing in vegan cooking, used instead of eggs and dairy to make vegan mayonnaise and vegan meringue. Aquafaba is basically the liquid left over after you cook beans (like chickpeas), or the liquid in canned beans. So far, so good, right? Bean water, what could be wrong with that? A lot, as it happens. Bean water contains oxalates (naturally occurring compounds in many plant foods, which protect the plant from predators) - that's why it's recommended you soak beans overnight before you cook them-the oxalates and other indigestible stuff leach into the water. While the body can deal with some oxalates, too high a concentration leads to gut inflammation, and can interfere with your glutathione production (an antioxidant produced by your liver, which is vital for neutralizing and eliminating free radicals). What's more, bean water also contains oligosaccharides that can irritate the gut wall and upset your intestinal bacteria, especially if you have a sensitive digestive system. So, I guess sometimes beans are not ok. Solution? You're better off waiting till you can get an egg from a happy chicken and making "proper" mayonnaise (cue several vegans crossing me off their friends list, oops).
OK, but at least you're not harming any animals, right? At least you're choosing a more planet-friendly product?
Well, that depends.
Not every vegan food is cruelty-free or environmentally friendly… this is particularly true for processed foods.
If it contains palm oil or another industrial crop, then it is linked to the death of thousands of animals - deforestation equals loss of habitat. No one is rehousing them. They're simply left to die. And I'm not just talking about orangutans, we're also losing hundreds of insect and plant species every year through intensive agriculture.
If the food is made by one of the larger food brands, then you can be sure it has not been made ethically (despite the pretty eco label). Big business is about profit. End of. Cola might be "vegan," but the plastic bottles that end up in the oceans killing millions of fish don't really qualify, do they?
Being vegan these days IS easy. You can walk into any supermarket and walk out with an armload of vegan ready meals and snacks. You'll find at least one vegan option in most fast food outlets. But whether you've decided to go vegan for your health, the animals, or the environment, this type of veganism isn't going to touch the sides. It's just lip service.
So, what should we do? Give up on veganism and order a steak? Hell no!
But maybe forget "veganism" for a second and try plant-based instead. And ok, I'll be honest: it's not always easy, in so far as any real change comes with challenges. But you'll be rewarded with better health, and you'll be giving animals and the planet a much-needed break.
What is plant-based? I define it as a diet that comes mostly from whole plant foods. What that means is you take a moment to consider how your food impacts the world around you, and your body. It means leaving the processed food on the shelf and instead cooking something from scratch, opting for locally grown, seasonal veg as much as possible, and favouring small independent shops over the corporate giants. And if that means occasionally having an egg from a happy chicken, or a bit of cheese from that small independent dairy farm, I'd argue that's still a million times better for the animals, the planet, and your health. It's time we ditch strict junk-food veganism and relax into plant-based living instead.
Peace :-)!
I agree with the overall sentiment of your post. I think that the type of veganism followed by many in first world nations is just an extension of the rampant consumerism and earth-damaging industries that are ignored because money is more important than anything else. I also don't see a problem with people having eggs from happy chickens or cheese from small independent dairy farms. If people are comfortable making those choices, then I am in no position to tell them they're wrong. I think I would like to strive towards growing my own food, and buying less mass-produced and packaged vegan foods. I will still draw the line at animal products as long as I have a choice, because that's how I've decided to live my life, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that, either. I do think that many vegans (including my former self) can be so all-or-nothing that it turns the average person off from the idea of veganism. If the world's population continues to rise, I think it will be necessary for people to live more plant-based lifestyles, but strict ethical veganism will most likely never be adopted by the masses. Anyone who is realistic should realize that and be happy when anyone makes changes that are better for Earth and Earthlings.
Definitely, there are several UN reports that state unequivocally that the only way to feed the world long term is to adopt organic, local, and plant-based foods. The tide is shifting towards this healthier diet :-)
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