A collection of vegan based links popped up today:
This first one is a short illustrated "all the feels" comic-style explanation of why this person switched from omnivore to vegetarian and finally vegan, with how wonderful it is to be vegan - for the animals and for the planet.
I gave up meat and gained so much more
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Then there was this article:
Calls for plant-based alternatives to be labelled with warning signs
Not much we don't already know about plant based alternatives to animal foods - they're saying they're "technically" UPFs , and don't have as much actual nutrition compared to the foods they're replacing.
No "technically" about it - they are definitely UPFs, just based on the sheer number of ingredients and the amount of processing which needs to be done to come up with a patty that vaguely looks and sort-of tastes like a hamburger.
Quote:
Academics said that the “limited evidence” on swapping meat for plant-based alternatives suggest the shift could be good for health, but the results for plant-based drinks were mixed, with links to micronutrient deficiencies.
They also found that most meat and dairy alternatives had more fibre and lower levels of saturated fats, although some cheese alternatives had higher saturated fat levels than their dairy counterparts.
Both meat and drink alternatives had, on average, the same salt levels as animal products, although meat alternatives contained more sugar.
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But of course they're concentrating on fiber, saturated fats, salt and added sugar content, because that's all that's needed for health - kind of surprised they even mentioned micronutrient deficiencies.
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Later on today, a post that showed up on Reddit that is a more real-life illustration of what dealing with a vegan can be like:
Quote:
...refusing to adapt my annual BBQ for my sister’s vegan boyfriend
Let me set the scene: Every summer, I throw what my friends and family have lovingly dubbed the "Meatstravaganza," a BBQ bash celebrating all things meat. It's an event everyone looks forward to, complete with a trophy for the best homemade BBQ sauce and a brisket cook-off.
This year’s curveball? My sister has a new boyfriend who is vegan. When she asked if he could come, I was totally fine with it—more the merrier! But then she dropped that she expected me to provide vegan options for him. I'm all for inclusivity, but this is a day dedicated to meat. I suggested, half-jokingly, that he could maybe just eat the garnishes (lettuce, tomatoes, onions) off the burgers, not thinking it would be a big deal. My sister got really upset and said that it was rude to invite someone and not cater to their needs. I argued that the theme of the event has been the same for over ten years and everyone knows what it’s about. Plus, last-minute changes to include a full vegan menu seemed daunting and honestly, a bit out of place for the spirit of the Meatstravaganza. She accused me of being exclusionary and unsympathetic.
I tried to compromise by saying her boyfriend could bring his own food and use a separate grill I’d set up just for him. She argued that segregating his food was even more insulting.
Now, she's threatening not to attend, and my mom thinks I'm being a jerk for
~snip~
sticking to the meaty tradition of my BBQ and suggesting alternatives rather than changing the whole menu?
She didn’t take that well. Now, she’s saying she might skip the event altogether, and some family members are siding with her, calling me inflexible and inhospitable. They’re making me out to be the bad guy for not wanting to alter a tradition that’s been set in stone for years.
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Many vegans replied to this, and they all agreed that offering a separate grill for the vegan was the thing to do, because a vegan won't want to risk having bits of meat or meat juice "contaminating " his food. Some vegans said they'd bring a package of impossible burgers with them, cook those up on the separate grill, and they'd gladly let anyone try them who was interested.
There may have been vegans who responded in a "how dare you not change your entire menu to accommodate me!" attitude, but they must be buried in the comments, because I didn't see any of them.
This is one of the more extensive and well thought out responses from a vegan:
Quote:
I’d thank you for your kind thoughts but say I didn’t want to be trouble and I’d happily bring my own precooked food if that was ok with you. I have never expected to be fed. Not once.
I’d rather eat beforehand and just socialise than offend you by bringing my own food if it hadn’t been pre-discussed. I’ve excused myself to go make a phone call in the car and eaten a quick “emergency” sandwich to tide me over then back to the event rather than offend the host.
And I’d happily come to your bbq, but would appreciate a warning if there’s a whole pig because that does turn my stomach so I’d just be thankful of a warning where it was located so i could avoid it, or not come if totally unavoidable.
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This was probably the best response though:
Quote:
~snip~
were it me, I'd send out a missive to all the attendees:
Hey everyone, Sis has invited her boyfriend _____ to the Meatstravaganza and we want to welcome him. _______ is vegan and unfortunately I don't have any tried and true vegan recipes to make along with the usual BBQ preparations. So this year I am pleased to announce a new challenge in addition to our other competitions: Best Vegan dish. If you choose to participate expect some heavy competition from Sis and Mom, both of whom will be competing. Sister's boyfriend _______ will be our guest judge for this new award category.
Also, I will supply a clean meatless grill, some vegan burgers and dogs for anyone who wants to come and eat plant based and wants to avoid cross contamination.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Meatstravaganza!
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All that to say that I don't think MOST vegans are as crazed as what we generally see presented in the media.
Perhaps after they've been full vegan long enough to start feeling really terrible, craving meat, not realizing that the reason they crave meat (or cheese - a lot of them mention cheese) is because animal products nutrients they can't get from vegetable matter. I'd say that it angers them that they've been so invested in this vegan idealism for so long that needing to admit that they really do need animal products in their diet just terrifies them that they could have been so wrong, and infuriates them.