Study Finds Veganism To Be The Most Sustainable Diet, Published By PLOS

[Benji 20,113]

6 minutes ago, Bette Davis said:

Curious to hear opinions from the vegans/vegetarians on this:

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2010/04/consider_the_oyster.html

Another interesting one for for Vegans and Vegeterians are American Crayfish in foreign waters.

They were released into British waters years ago and have since caused other animals to come near extinction, have slowly been destroying water banks as they burrow into them every winter to hibernate and are breeding generally faster than they are currently being fished. Is it unethical to eat them despite their population needing to be reduced to save local wildlife and ecosystems?

[Anastasia 6,093]

6 minutes ago, Bette Davis said:

Curious to hear opinions from the vegans/vegetarians on this:

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2010/04/consider_the_oyster.html

This is really interesting topic and I would love to hear other vegans' opinions on it, for now I don't eat them because:

1) They have never been common in my diet anyways, and

2) There hasn't been enough research on them, it was only a few years ago when people believed fish couldn't feel pain, so I stay on the safe side, though I don't condemn anyone who disagrees! I certainly am not educated enough on the topic to argue, just as I am with honey tbh. 

Any other vegans have opinions and information to share? Would be a great learning experience.

[MonsterJC 174]

2 hours ago, Texas Joanne said:

I spit out my coffee  

dfshgasjhdj I am drunk, therefore I exist. If we let crappy Jean-Paul Sartre joke go away. 

I am glad that I could make you laugh 

[2007 5,291]

11 hours ago, Anastasia said:

I can't understand how she said she will never wear leather to doing this 

She went for what's underneath the leather. 

 

[Chiunzhan 997]

2 hours ago, Anastasia said:

Unfortunately many of the animals don't produce enough B12 so they are injected with it, even with injections a lot of the population is deficient. It isn't really considered 'risky' right away, you either need to make sure to take your supplement or make sure you eat fortified foods everyday. Speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have more questions.

I will read about it later for sure, I'm currently watching the "Food choices" documentary and I'm in shock honestly. 

[Anastasia 6,093]

28 minutes ago, Bjaf said:

@Anastasia You have such a great way of communicating your opinions on veganism. It's obvious that you're very knowledgeable. Rather than letting emotions take over and getting into never-ending arguments (which is unfortunately what too many vegans tend to do), you take the time to explain every single one of your points. They're also always supported by tangible experiences or facts. That's really important, and even more so when it comes to having discussions on something as fundamental and natural as eating.

I've been vegan for a year, vegetarian for over three years now. I'll bookmark this thread just to look back on some of your posts, especially for your unique rhetoric. Thank you! 

Thank you, this is so incredibly kind. I'm always embarrassed because I am far from the most knowledgeable or the most articulate person, but I do my best and google is my best friend haha. Again, thank you for the kind words, it encourages me to continue to speak up 

Some other vegans on here are really incredible with their arguments and much more educated than I am, such as @uo111, @kevinthesheep, and many others I am forgetting! 

Edit: Including @Bette Davis @AntiPotCrusader @ThomastheMonster @Born To Slay @Muumisarvinen Not putting any of these names out there for arguments, just as vegans that I know on here that I enjoy seeing

[Anastasia 6,093]

1 minute ago, Chiunzhan said:

I will read about it later for sure, I'm currently watching the "Food choices" documentary and I'm in shock honestly. 

Thank you, one of the best qualities to have is an open-mind, I applaud you for that, its spectacular!

[Anastasia 6,093]

7 minutes ago, Benji said:

Another interesting one for for Vegans and Vegeterians are American Crayfish in foreign waters.

They were released into British waters years ago and have since caused other animals to come near extinction, have slowly been destroying water banks as they burrow into them every winter to hibernate and are breeding generally faster than they are currently being fished. Is it unethical to eat them despite their population needing to be reduced to save local wildlife and ecosystems?

This is a great topic to build on as well, if it doesn't make traction maybe make a new thread, I'm unsure where I stand and I would love to read others' responses.

[Bjaf 1,336]

9 minutes ago, Bette Davis said:

Curious to hear opinions from the vegans/vegetarians on this:

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2010/04/consider_the_oyster.html

I've seen a lot of different opinions on molluscs. There are a lot of diverging studies, which makes it hard to have an opinion on the subject. I have read that molluscs are captured in a way that is a much more sustainable than current mass fishing practices.

But I think that, for the most part, it's about sentience. Some sources will defend that they are sentient beings, while others claim that they are not.

In my case, I never liked molluscs, so I never even thought twice about eating them or not when I had the opportunity.

In some cases, at least to me, there isn't necessarily a "right" or "wrong". Some areas are still up for debate even within the vegan community (insects, molluscs, contaminated food, etc). It all comes down to being open to hearing new opinions, changing views when necessary, and finding credible sources to support your opinions.

[Benji 20,113]

Just now, Anastasia said:

This is a great topic to build on as well, if it doesn't make traction maybe make a new thread, I'm unsure where I stand and I would love to read others' responses.

I may do tomorrow!

It's a concept that does intrigue me. I went vegetarian once for a few months a few years ago but went back to meat after finding it hard to get all my nutrition. I always buy free-range products though (actual good free-range, not the kind where they're still all cramped) but could see myself going veggie again.

I can't see myself giving up eggs even if I attempted going vegan though. I eat them every morning but I get all of them from people who keep their own and treat them well so I don't feel any guilt over them. I feel like if I don't eat them that they'd just go to waste

[Bette Davis 12,742]

4 minutes ago, Benji said:

Another interesting one for for Vegans and Vegeterians are American Crayfish in foreign waters.

They were released into British waters years ago and have since caused other animals to come near extinction, have slowly been destroying water banks as they burrow into them every winter to hibernate and are breeding generally faster than they are currently being fished. Is it unethical to eat them despite their population needing to be reduced to save local wildlife and ecosystems?

I was required to take many ecology courses in university, so I am well rehearsed in the havoc that introduced invasive species can wreak upon ecosystems. As a result, I am totally in support of eradicating invasive species for the greater good, and you might as well use them for food if you can. The same thing is happening in the Caribbean with lionfish. Various governments there have started programs promoting the hunting and consumption of lionfish, which I think is a great idea. 

[Anastasia 6,093]

2 minutes ago, Benji said:

I may do tomorrow!

It's a concept that does intrigue me. I went vegetarian once for a few months a few years ago but went back to meat after finding it hard to get all my nutrition. I always buy free-range products though (actual good free-range, not the kind where they're still all cramped) but could see myself going veggie again.

I can't see myself giving up eggs even if I attempted going vegan though. I eat them every morning but I get all of them from people who keep their own and treat them well so I don't feel any guilt over them. I feel like if I don't eat them that they'd just go to waste

Well for the situation that you get your eggs I can't say much, but if you ever crave eggs I have great recipes that can help. Choosing one day to wake up and make vegan eggs over regular makes a difference, so don't feel like you need to be trapped into a new diet, try to have fun and experiment. 

Tofu Scramble is the most famous, there are several ways to make it, my favourite is: http://minimalistbaker.com/southwest-tofu-scramble/
Some people prefer something like this though: http://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2014/7/11/the-perfect-tofu-scramble

Keep trying new recipes until you find your favourite, I also love vegan breakfast sandwiches: http://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2014/10/25/the-vegan-breakfast-sandwich

There are many more recipes and alternatives, google is definitely your friend if you are interested! Make sure to look at experimenting as a fun thing to do, rather than you being on some restrictive diet, have fun with it. 

If you want more recipes feel free to PM me! I love to help, just let me know any allergies or restrictions you have and I can try my best!

[Dorothy Gale 7,575]

"I ate meat while I read this lol" 

Congratulations? 

Omnivores can be infuriating sometimes, can't they see that animal welfare takes precidence over their favorite snacks? 

[Goosey 3,017]

Just now, AntiPotCrusader said:

Omnivores can be infuriating sometimes, can't they see that animal welfare takes precidence over their favorite snacks? 

Well, no, actually. Western culture at large has never instilled such values in people. For example:

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26)

 

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Genesis 9:3)

[Anastasia 6,093]

2 minutes ago, Goosey said:

Well, no, actually. Western culture at large has never instilled such values in people. For example:

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26)

 

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Genesis 9:3)

Though I dislike this argument because not everyone is Christian, I will still respond. I saved this from Reddit a while ago:
 

There are WAY more references in the bible to eating plants than there are animal references.

http://freefromharm.org/veganism/christian-basis-veganism/

God does not want the blood of animal sacrifices (Isaiah 1:11), and the murder of an ox and a human are equally despicable (Isaiah 66:3). God will call all creatures to safety, from flies and bees to sheep and cows (Isaiah 7:18-25), and they will all worship their Creator (Isaiah 43:20). The vision for a reconciled future is a peaceful kingdom in which the wolf lies down with the lamb, and a child leads them. Hurt and destruction will pass away (Isaiah 11:3-9 and 65:25). Ezekiel 29:3-5 foretells the consequences of treating creation as if it existed solely for human benefit: “I will put hooks in your jaws … I will fling you into the wilderness … To the animals of the earth and to the birds of the air I have given you as food.” God’s covenant is with all of creation: “I will make for you a covenant on that day with the wild animals, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety.” (Hosea 2:18)

Just like all religions Christians have twisted the bible into some animal butchering endorsement because of "dominion."

http://www.jesuspeopleforanimals.com/scripture-and-testimonies/

Genesis 1:29 “God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.'”

Job 12:7-10 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.”