The myths about Veganism

There are a variety of different statements you would’ve frequently heard tossed-about when it comes to the argument surrounding Veganism. I’ve written extensively as to how it’s by far the single largest way to reduce our carbon footprint on the Earth, as well as a large contributor in improving health, becoming more ethical, and saving the planet. However, I recognise that there are still those that question the concept of eating an only plant-based diet — and so in this week’s column I’ll provide answers to some of the most popular ‘anti-vegan’ statements. 

Animals eat other animals
We should not base our ethics as a society on what animals do in nature. For example, Lions eat their offspring if they don’t have enough food, engage in violent territorial disputes and forcibly impregnate females. Animals in the wild kill to survive. We don’t need to eat other animals to survive, and doing so causes suffering, so if we can avoid it, we should.

Eating animals is necessary
It’s not. There are millions of vegans from all over the globe, living different kind of lives — many are perfectly healthy, strong and fit.

Our ancestors ate meat
Our ancestors did many things that we’d find disturbing, and do not do many things we do today that have significantly improved the quality of the average life. Think about it, are we really going to base our ethics on cavemen? Our knowledge has improved, and so our ethical behaviour should improve accordingly.

The animals are already dead. 
Veganism is not about saving the dead animals in the supermarket, it is about reducing the demand for animal products to prevent further animals from being bred and killed. This is the basic supply and demand theory from economics. If we demand more animal products, the businesses that produce them will supply more, therefore killing more animals. We have the power to influence change with our money, and every time we pay for an animal product we’re indicating we want more of it. The good news is: every time somebody switches to a plant base diet, the number of meat-eaters falls — and recent evidence outlines how meat consumption is falling. Government figures also show a steady decline in the meat industry, running against a strong increase for the rise in Veganism.

God wants us to eat Animals
No religion outlines a must for meat-eating. We don’t have to eat animal products to be a good Muslim, or even Christian, Catholic, Sikh or Hindu, etc. You can be vegan and religious, just like you can recycle and be religious, or any other modern lifestyle choice we make which is not explicitly mentioned in religious books but is also not prohibited, and helps us to live a good life.

It’s legal to eat animal products.
Simply because something is legal doesn’t make it right.

There’s been a 600% increase in people identifying as Vegans in the United States alone, according to GlobalData — and the worldwide interest in our way of consuming a plant based diet continues to grow.

What are your questions surrounding veganism? Let me know by contacting me on Instagram.

* The author is an expert in vegan wellbeing and health. Instagram handle: @Ghanim92