Why Did You Go Vegan?

Anna

When I first became a vegetarian I wasn't even aware of all the things that are affected by eating meat and other animal products. I had heard about the bad treatment of animals and had seen pictures but I thought the pictures were fake or manipulated and that the information was just put in different words to convince people to follow the vegetarian lifestyle. I thought all this was for the 'tree-huggers'. Article continues below

My friend told me of a weigh loss diet on which you don't consume any meat and I thought "why not try it?" So we both went on the diet for about three months. By the time the diet was supposed to be over I decided that I wanted to give up meat for good. My conscience was clearer knowing that nothing had to be killed for my meals. I didn't know much about the health benefits, but I knew that if a cow is a living creature just as my cat is and I would never eat my cat.

I am a freshmen in college now and about three months ago I decided to give up eggs and gelatin. I had tried to give up all animal products before, but the transition was too radical and abrupt so I always failed until I realized I had to take slow steps.

About a month ago I decided to go all vegan. At the beginning I missed yogurt and pancakes (I don't cook my own food in the dorms), but then I discovered my love for fruits and rice milk.

Now, I cannot imagine ever putting animal products into my mouth, it just doesn't seem right. I find more information on veganism every day, and with every bit of knowledge I am more convinced that I made the right decision.

Now I would love to convert my family and friends to veganism, but most of them still think that a plant based diet is for the hippies. Maybe one day I can make them understand that by keeping their diet they are not only harming themselves, but the planet as well.

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