*curious* I understand reduction of harm to animals...

But, I don't understand vegan at all. How is refraining from eating a chicken's egg helping anything/anyone..?

*curious*

So, why'd you switch?

mostly health reasons. although reading about the conditions animals bred for food are kept in is quite disturbing. i can understand vegans because a lot of the eggs in grocery stores are supplied by farms who treat their hens horribly - basically treat them as egg laying machines and allow them to sit in their own ****, etc....its truly disgusting if you do a little digging to find out what's really going on.

I'm vegan for ethical reasons. It is very disturbing to see the conditions that animals are kept in, and the inhumane treatment they receive.

Mainly health reasons, but also ethical reasons as well - eggs are probably the worst because of the way factory egg farming works - 10 hens crammed into the same filthy cage, getting their beaks chopped off, etc... it's horrendous.  Dairy cattle are also treated poorly which is why ethical vegans don't do dairy. 

I am a vegetarian and I avoid dairy and eggs as much as possible, but I am not 100% vegan.  I would like to be, but I find it so hard when I am eating out, etc.  Most restaurants have nothing vegan to offer on the menu. 

Another reason is for the environment - factory farming is very bad for the environment and it would be much healthier and less wasteful if everyone were vegetarian!  :)

Health reasons because all animal products contain cholesterol and saturated fat, not to mention antibiotics, steroids, and hormones, and probably more bad things that I haven't mentioned, all of which contribute to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.  Countries that have much lower or minimal consumption of animal products in their diet have much lower incidence of these diseases than we do.  Heart disease is the number one killer in America and it's practically unheard of in China.  Coincidence?  I don't think so!  Our consumption of animals is way out of control and it's killing us.

My reason for becoming vegetarian was morality. I read a lot about the suffering of animals and decided that if I was to call myself an animal lover, then I'd have to stop eating them! My reason for becoming vegan was more of a health issue although egg-laying hens and milk cows are severely mistreated. Just because they aren't slaughtered doesn't mean they aren't harmed. I've also read quite about the linking of cancer to casein, which makes up 80% of the protein in cow's milk. The proof is in the dairy-free pudding so to speak. Since becoming vegan, my energy levels have drastically improved, my skin is brighter, and my mind is clearer. My cholesterol levels have dropped and I've never been in better shape. All in all, I feel that sacrificing a piece of cheese is well worth a lifetime of good health.

Some books to read if you're interested:

The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Diet for a New America by John Robbin

I went vegetarian first and that was because I truly have never liked the taste or texture of meat.   It was a constant battle with my parents when I was a child, but it was such a relief to me when I moved out and could eat the way I wanted to eat.   

I started finding more and more articles about the animal  cruelty part of the meat industry as I was looking for vegetarian recipes.  It was just a natural thing for me to be vegan then.  I have no regrets about my decision and there is nothing that I miss or feel deprived without. 

Those are all great books that Sophie recommended. I would add:

The Ethics of What We Eat, by Peter Singer

I've been a quasi-vegetarian for most of my life and have never eaten red meat, but Singer's book turned me completely vegetarian and flirting with veganism. There are so many reasons not to eat meat, ranging from health to ethical to environmental to financial. Read the book, if you can find it!

I did it. primarily, for health reasons. I am a big fan of meat products, but decided that I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. For years I got very close to a vegetarian lifestyle, but never truly committed.

I decided to take it to the next level- but what was the next level?  Vegetarianism?  Veganism?  I read quite a bit to figure out what that next level was.

My research lead me to a lifestyle I was only vaguely aware of- raw foodism. I read for days and days, and decided to give it a shot. I continue to read more and more- pretty much every day.

Since I've began living this lifestyle, I've found other reasons to stick with it:
-very clear mind; focussed thoughts and concentration
-better memory
-clear, moist skin, youthful skin
-more energy
-the food is absolutely delicious

I really wish I was doing this for ethical reasons.  But, I'm doing this for selfish reasons- my health.

Original Post by gpat919:

I did it. primarily, for health reasons. I am a big fan of meat products, but decided that I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. For years I got very close to a vegetarian lifestyle, but never truly committed.

I decided to take it to the next level- but what was the next level? Vegetarianism? Veganism? I read quite a bit to figure out what that next level was.

My research lead me to a lifestyle I was only vaguely aware of- raw foodism. I read for days and days, and decided to give it a shot. I continue to read more and more- pretty much every day.

Since I've began living this lifestyle, I've found other reasons to stick with it:
-very clear mind; focussed thoughts and concentration
-better memory
-clear, moist skin, youthful skin
-more energy
-the food is absolutely delicious

I really wish I was doing this for ethical reasons. But, I'm doing this for selfish reasons- my health.

what are some examples of a raw food diet? can you point me in the right direction to locate some good resources to read up on raw foodism myself?

 

thanks :)

The milk and veal industries are mutually supportive - baby boy calves are ripped away from their moms ASAP and turned in veal - the reason the moms were impregnanted in the first place was to get them to produce milk. It's really sad.