Why did you decide to become Vegan?

Question

As someone trying to be vegetarian but not interested in going fully vegan I just want to know why you did it.

Also how long have you been one.

Peoples reactions when you tell them.

Vegetarians responses to you and how you feel about vegetarians.

Was it difficult for you and did you experience any health problems?

Answer 1

i am definately not a veagen, but people probebly become one because of a health condition. or they don't like animal products. eiether or, i think it's pretty stupid because you need to have a varity of foods. not just soy beans and peanut butter.

Answer 2

I went to a public lecture by Paul Shapiro of Compassion Over Killing. He said that the cruelty in the egg industry is so severe that if he had to choose between eating a steak or eating an egg, he would go with the steak. That really shocked me and once I did some research on the egg industry, I realized that he had a good point.

(More info on this: http://www.chooseveg.com/eggs.asp )

I've been vegan for about 6 years. Most people are curious or interested when they find out I'm vegan. Some are argumentative / antagonistic about it, but most are just intrigued.

I think vegetarians are great. I was vegetarian for about 5 years before I went vegan myself. With so many people who don't care about animal / environmental issues, I don't see any reason to criticize people who are doing a lot to help.

It really wasn't as hard as I imagined. It took a few months to make the transition and adjust. I enjoy vegan versions of my favorite non-vegan foods... quesadillas with soy cheese, sandwiches with vegan mayo, even soy ice cream with vegan whipped cream!

I haven't experienced any health problems; just the opposite. High cholesterol runs in my family, and cholesterol is only found in animal products (meat, eggs, and dairy.) My doctor is impressed with my cholesterol levels and general health. I also lost 20 pounds of flab after becoming vegan! My family was amazed and they stopped criticizing veganism after that :)

Answer 3

When I lost my mind and thought animals were more important than people.  I am a recovering vegetarian/vegan.  (Go head, thumbs down away!!!)

Answer 4

I became vegan because I can´t stand animal cruelty. Eating a dead animal, yuck! so that´s that. why not cows milk? we don´t have a nutritional requirement for it, it´s high in cholesterol. it´s disgusting! cows are trapped in dirt lots, never seeing a blade of grass, they´re kept pregnate so we can take their milk, once the calf is born it´s killed or raised to be like it´s mother. their tails are cut off, their beaten, and fed all kinds of c**p suplemented with protein and calcium. why not eggs? the product of an hens menstrual cycle says enough. there´s tons of info out there about animal cruelty, the animals don´t deserve how their treated, let´s just leave them alone. check out : www.compassionatecooks.com, animalcruelty.com and www.arkonline.com

Answer 5

I went vegetarian in January of 2002 and started reading up on being a healthy vegetarian.  When I learned that the sons of dairy cows become veal, and I learned of just how horribly the hens who are kept for eggs are treated, I went vegan.  That was a few months after going veg.  I know, I remember the exact day I decided to go vegetarian, but not the day I decided to be vegan.

Most people I tell ask me why or if it's hard.  I do get the "what do you eat" question a lot.

I'm dating a vegetarian--and he was veg long vefore I was--and while he doesn't intend to go vegan, he does eat less dairy now, mostly cheese on pizza or in baked goods.  He never liked eating eggs, but he'll eat something containing eggs.  I've also tried to get him to wear non-leather shoes, but he isn't having it.  Oh, well.

I live in a large metro area, so it's pretty easy for me to be vegan.  I'm just as healthy as I was before I went vegan.

Answer 6

I first started being a vegetarian a while back, but now I'm slowly getting to vegan. When I tell people they'll ask me why & I'll just tell them my reasons. Some are shocked and others don't see the point. They tell me they couldn't live without meat, which is wrong; everyone can if they try hard enough. It was hard, considering all my family eats is animal products. They thought I wouldn't last as long as I have and they even tried to convince me out of it. It was espically hard when we went out to eat for dinner. I haven't had any health problems, as long as I take vitamins I should be good.