Does Veganism Exist?

As a farm girl, I grew up in a particular rural area. Driving through Eagle Point, Oregon, it’s not uncommon to see a luscious green pasture filled with grazing, healthy cattle. It’s actually a beautiful sight, if you ask me. The hard-working community gathers together regularly to plan, celebrate, and converse about local agricultural production.

 

My beautiful home in Eagle Point, OR

Throughout my childhood, until about 10 months ago when I moved to college, I had NEVER met a vegan. I currently live in Albany, Oregon. The population is estimated to be over 50,000 and when compared to Eagle Point’s 9,000 citizens, my environment has changed drastically. My new home is a short 15 minute drive from Oregon State University (GO BEAVS!), a 48 minute drive south to Eugene (according to Google Maps), and a 30 minute drive to the state capital (Salem). As you can see, I live in a very populated community. So, there’s no question, I was sure to meet a vegan at some point during my adventure here.

As a kid, I didn’t even know what veganism was, or that it even existed. But does it?

So what is a vegan anyway? Here’s how Webster’s dictionary defines the term “vegan.”

Most people think of vegans as people who don’t eat any animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs. Additionally, today’s vegan doesn’t buy or use other animal products, like leather, wool, etc. Each vegan has his/her own reasoning behind that lifestyle, but the two most common justifications are:

1.     “Veganism is healthier for my body.”

2.     “Animals are treated inhumanly, so I don’t support those industries.”

WARNING: What I say next may be a complete shock to some people!

Veganism doesn’t exist and reasons #1 and #2 (listed above) aren’t legitimate.

 Here’s why. It’s nearly impossible to not consume any food that comes from animals and the same goes for using animal products. Yes, a person can take meat, eggs, and dairy products out of his/her diet. But the fact is: many plant products wouldn’t exist without animal agriculture.

Have you ever heard of pollination? My family knows, I get all crazy and scientific when the term “honeybee” gets brought into a conversation. Here’s a summary: honeybees save our lives by pollinating many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. that we eat. Recently, there’s been a drastic shortage of honeybees, known as the Colony Collapse Disorder. In result, farmers, ranchers, and even average households have started seeing the importance of raising honeybee colonies.

The honeybee industry has played a vital role in all of our lives.

Honeybees pollinate apples, cranberries, broccoli, cherries, any many other crops. Almond pollination is ENTIRELY dependent on honeybees. Annually, honeybees contribute over $14 billion to the US agricultural industry. Honeybees are animals. They’re raised in “confinement” to control their population and pollination services. So can a vegan consume their products?

Also, have you ever heard of animal by-products? I could probably write an entire blog post on this topic, so in short, animal by-products are everywhere! Agriculture has found a way to be more efficient and useful by using nearly every part of the animal when it’s harvested. Beef organs and glands are used to produce certain medicines, insulin, and shampoo. Beef fat is used in the production of brake fluid, biodiesel, and airplane lubricants. Bones are used to create glass, vitamin capsules, and charcoal. Fascinating, isn’t it?

As far as veganism being “healthier for our bodies,” here are the facts. Yes, many vegans have lower blood pressures, cholesterol, and LDL levels. But, veganism has been linked to severe deficiencies in: vitamin B complex, calcium, iron, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins (A,D, E, and K). Vegans also have lower bone densities.

One serving of lean beef has only 154 calories and contains ten of the essential nutrients that our bodies need (Protein, B12, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorus, B6, Selenium, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Choline). According to government nutrition website ‘My Pyramid’, beef eaters are 26% more likely to meet nutritional requirements than non-beef eaters. So, consuming a T-Bone or Tenderloin every now and then may save your life.

To learn more about beef nutrition click here.

Reason #2, relating to inhumane treatment, can be answered by one statement.

"Healthy food comes from healthy animals."

Farmers and ranchers care most importantly about the health and condition of their livestock. They use preventive measures (like vaccinations) to keep animals healthy. Government laws have been created to regulate safe capacities and the environment that the animals are raised in. Everyone involved in animal agriculture has the same common goal of keeping his or her product safe and healthy.

So when it comes down to it, why be a vegan? I support the way livestock are raised. I’ve even raised them myself! I choose to live happy and healthy by supporting the hardworking, honest, God-driven industry of American Agriculture.