Reasons for going veg

[Robin]

Why did you go vegan?

[orangesky]

Hi! I am in the process of going vegan because, first and foremost, I think it's disgusting the way our society treats innocent animals, especially those unfortunate enough to be in the concentration camps knows as factory farms. It breaks my heart. And the more I am reading about vegetarianism/veganism, the more excited I am becoming about taking care of my body! I feel much better since I cut meat out of my diet 5 months ago, and I just know I will feel even better when I finally get rid of all the dairy/eggs too! I can't believe how totally brainwashed I used to be, thinking I was healthy for eating meat and dairy all the time.

I can't believe I used to claim to be an animal lover while chowing down on their decomposing carcasses... yuck. Sorry if I sound extreme... I am a recent convert, so I am a little fanatical right now! :)

[karen]

At first my reasons were for health reasons. My husband kept telling me how much healthier we'd be if we stopped eating all dairy (we were already vegetarians). It wasn't until I had been eating a vegan diet that I really understood how horrible they treat the animals and that it is totally wrong.

I have been taking care of my cousins this summer and they bring cow's milk with them to drink during the day. I am so grossed out when I have to pour it out for them. It's like I don't even want it touching me. Yuck!

[donham]

Primarily because my doctor requested that I do so. He does recomend eating fish 3-4 times a week.
In just a short time (7 weeks) my cholesterol has gone from228 to 183. My Tryglycerides have gone from 399 to 699. The weight has dropped from 224 to 207.
So far this is feeling like a great way to be eating.
Don

[Erin Pavlina]

Donham, did you doctor request you go vegan? Or did he want you to eat fish?

Also, you want triglycerides to be below 200, did you type that right?

Weight loss is great.

[donham]

I wish it had been a typo. Triglycerides did go up to 699.
Dr told me to quit red and white meat and all dairy. He then told me to eat fish. After some research into vegan sites I just went ahead and stopped all meat, including fish.
After my blood test last week, he again thought I should be eating fish.

Don

[Maggie]

Have you tried limiting sugar, including fruit? This can help with triglyceride issues...
And good for you for sticking to your guns! If you have cholesterol issues, what's the reason to eat cholesterol-containing fish?
Peace,
Maggie

[momof3]

I first went vegetarian when 13y/o for animal rights/welfare. Then I had my own family a couple years ago and decided since my children have so many allergies we would go vegan for health reasons. So it took us almost a year to become vegans. Have been vegans for about 4 mths. (We didn't use eggs or dairy because of my childrens allergies(so in a sense we have been vegan for awhile), but it took awhile to switch all of our products to vegan as I found that they weren't) Unfortunately my children have consumed some meat. Their father WAS a meat eater(NOW a vegetarian!!) so he always let them have it.

Sorry so long, just for a poll :(

[CarlaJ]

I have been l/o veg for over 6 years. I had a peice of pizza after not having one for probably 6 months and felt SO sick the rest of the day. It disgusted me, so I stopped. Just the thought of it makes the transition easy.

-Carla

[manda]

Originally, I was looking to convert from vegetarianism to veganism because the health benefits are amazing. However, the more reading I did, the more disgusted I became with the dairy and egg industry. The more I read the more intentions have become ethical as well.

[lunamama3]

my husband and i both oscillated back and forth with vegetarianism throughout our youths and finally came to rest with veganism during our second pregnancy (about 3 1/2 years ago already!) we had been reading a lot of stuff from PETA those days and finally realized that it made no sense to avoid meat but go on wearing leather, silk and wool and eating dairy and eggs because they're all so wrapped up in each other that you can't avoid supporting bad causes even with organic practices. *shrug* we still slip back now and again because we don't have access to a lot of stuff here and are extremely poor (it's really no excuse...sometimes we just cave to convenience!) but those instances are getting fewer and farther between. :)

lisa

[Bette]

I suppose due to a medical condition, but certainly not on medical advice. But then like many others, as I researched the subject, I realised that veganism is the way forward for the individual, humanity and the world. I wish I had the courage to try to convince others, but I don't like to appear pushy . . . I'm so British, I drive myself mad at times!

[MrBarefoot]

Originally posted by Robin
Why did you go vegan?

Health reasons for me, and I used the same fitness theory taught to me in the Marines. Later I found myself under the instruction of a very fit and very strong raw food vegan, that was all the conversion I needed.

Later I developed a strong respect for other living things and what we (as a society) do to animals breaks my heart. I also pity the body builders who guzzle down the eggs or whey proteins derived from barbaric treatment of animals, who are not getting the nutrition to be fit for life.

[veganchica]

I became vegetarian when I was 11 yrs old after watching a bad movie about a guy who did autopsies and took home meat (from dead people) for his wife to make for dinner. It was too long ago to remember the name or details but it left an impression on me to not eat meat for the past 11 yrs.
Then I became vegan for health reasons with a little encouragement from my herbalist as well. Now I have read a lot of info about the meat & dairy industry and consider that a reason too.

[HoneyNBen]

I was vegetarian for about 5 years with a 1.5 year interest in meat afterwards. ( hyperemisis during pregnancy and something smelled good one day.) Also, I didn't know about health reasons...thought that if it was organic and free range it was ok... Well, met a friend again and she kept saying...go vegan...no milk...so...I researched it and we went vegan practically overnight. We're vegan for health reasons. I don't believe animals should ever be harmed, but I'm not a 'lover' of animals. I grew up on a farm and well...the farm girl is still there.. I feel that if things die peacefully it's ok. But, meat, eggs and dairy is not for human consumption-so it's a bit of a toss up with the vegan winning out over the farm girl!...we're vegan for health reasons. Keeping animals safe and happy are just a bonus.

Vegan for one year! Two healthy, almost totally unvaccinated, vegan children! Me-45lbs lighter! Hubby-60lbs lighter!