The rise of VEGANism
In the last few years, a new food movement has become extremely popular among young people. The world of nutrition is a constantly developing new trends and weight loss diets. Veganism was widely associated with animal right activists and health conscious people, but lately it has become a fashion trend.
Being healthy is lifestyle; it is not about following a trend and many people aren’t aware of their body’s needs. And I am not talking only about the people wanting to become vegan; I am talking about the majority of people.
By indulging with all kinds of processed foods, we are neglecting our body and are paying the consequences: we are predisposed to a lot of diseases; our immune system is in bad shape; we have low energy levels and most of us deal with depression. The sad part is that for the most if us, the connection between the food we eat and our physical and mental health is unknown. The media is keeping us uneducated, so we could contribute to the Big Pharma. I don’t think this is just a conspiracy theory, and that they do not have any bad intention to keep us under control.
In Germany, the vegan lifestyle is very popular and I was very surprised to find a lot of products and also places serving vegan and vegetarian dishes.
I even noticed some vegan encouragement stickers
In Romania, if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, the situation is a little different, meaning you don’t have that many options regarding restaurants, pubs or fast foods. There are a few, but in my opinion, not enough. Maybe the demand is not that big as in Germany. Comparing the taste of fruits and vegetables, I could definitely go with the ones in Romania, as they are far more tasty and rich in flavor. So I don’t know if the popular vegan lifestyle from here brings me more food options, as I don’t go eating out that much. I prefer making my own food and I miss the tasty food from back home, but I do appreciate the variety of vegan products from Germany.
Being a vegetarian or vegan could improve your health, but not necessarily; as there are many unhealthy products (the list is far too long to even start it) sold in the chain food stores.
There may be many other reasons why people are moving towards plant-based diets. Following a fashion trend or not, I am glad to see more and more people being conscious about the food they put in their body. Not only that this lifestyle is a direct benefit to them, but also helps the environment, by reducing climate change.
Gaining so much popularity, the vegan lifestyle has catch attention of many food supply stores, which are now trying to exploit people in any way they can. I am a little bitter sweet about this, because on one hand some people are starting to eat healthier and care for the environment, but on the other hand we are fooled with overpriced products, only because they are labeled “Vegan”.
Observing this behavior made me think about what truly Veganism represents and its integrity, which is far more than a trend. It’s about living a healthy cruelty free life, contributing little by little to a better and clean environment.
I understand why some products are being ladled as “vegan”, being cruelty free cleaning products. I don’t really get why other products, which are obvious vegan, need any specification. For example, why does the coconut oil, a product which I use daily, from eating, to washing my teeth with and using it as a moisturizer (I even give it to my dog) has to have an extra vegan tag?
The only answer is: for the sake of marketing.
Being vegetarian or vegan is not only a fashionable trend, is much more than that. Not only that we will live a healthy, clean and kind life, but our impact on the planet will be drastically reduced.
Cow emissions are more damaging to the environment, than cars
Animal agriculture produces 18% of green gas emission, more than all forms of transportation combined.
Livestock and their byproducts account for 32 000 million tons of carbon dioxide per year or, 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emission.
Livestock are a major cause of greenhouse gases, because of the methane produce by the animals and the massive slurry pits found in farms.
By choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, not only we will be healthier, live a cruelty free life, but we will considerably reduce our ecological footprint.
Thank you for reading!