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Veganism

Every vegan is a vegetarian. But not every vegetarian is a vegan. A category dedicated to those who neither consume, nor use, any products of animal origin at all.

721 Questions

Is plant-based agriculture the only environmentally sustainable form of agriculture?

No.

The word "sustainable" is quite the buzz-word today, with few who actually know its intrinsic meaning. This of course makes the question itself a bit misleading. So what is sustainable?


In the sociogeoecoeconomical sense, it is "(of economic development, energy sources, etc) capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage."


Let's face it, no form of agriculture is sustainable in the purest sense of the word. No form of agriculture can maintain itself without using outside natural resources that are at the risk of depletion, and damage to the environment has been done for as long as we humans have been on the face of this earth. We have purposely changed and influenced the environment around us, for consequences that were desirable and others both unforeseen and undesirable.


To be "environmentally sustainable" is to, as the definition above states, maintain itself at a constant and consistent level without exhausting natural resources–renewable or non-renewable–or causing severe ecological damage. Is plant-based agriculture able to fit this definition? Not at all.


Plant-based agriculture or veganic agriculture is a form of agriculture that prohibits any input from animals, but allows input from outside sources of non-renewable resources. So instead of using chicken litter for phosphorus they use mined phosphate rock salt to apply to their gardens. Nitrogen-based fertilizers come about with the use of fossil fuels. Sulphur fertilizer is no different, and neither is potash (potassium). All of these are at risk of exhaustion, maybe not today but in the next 100 years or so.


Veganic agriculture requires changing the landscape and the soil to produce food for humans. While not much change to soil can be made except adding veganic compost, utilizing green manure (which can be an arduous process if food needs to be produced soon for those who need it most), and adding fertilizer inputs, landscape needs to be changed so that land is made suited for growing crops. This means deforestation, plowing up native grasslands, and draining and filling wetlands. Millions of wildlife get displaced, many killed, and many a biodiverse habitat is destroyed. If this is considered "environmentally sustainable" to those that support veganism and growing more soybeans and wheat for people than grass and forbs for sheep, cattle, and deer, then those people need to take a far better look at what is environmentally beneficial.


The argument behind supporting veganic ag is that it is believed that it takes less acreage and caloric input to produce a pound of soybeans than it does to produce a pound of beef. This assumes that beef is raised on soybeans and corn only and is seen as competition with using soybeans for making tofu and vegan "meats". Only problem with this assumption is that cattle don't have to be raised on soybeans and corn to be slaughtered for their meat. Rather, cattle can and should be seen as NOT competition, but rather a mutual benefit for being able to graze in areas where soybeans and corn cannot be grown, and graze fields to apply manure after these crops have been taken off.


Instead, livestock and animal-based agriculture can be seen as not environmentally sustainable–these animals need outside inputs to remain healthy too, this in the form of salt blocks and minerals, and that about 10% of what they have taken from the land won't exactly come back after they've been removed–but rather as regenerative. Regenerative agriculture ensures that livestock are a huge part of the picture to help reverse severe ecological damage and improve and maintain natural landscapes so that they are also beneficial to wildlife and plant species.


One cannot assume that to be "regenerative" and using livestock means using the same old lazy grazing practices of putting cattle out on a large piece of land in the spring and not seeing them until fall. No, in order to be regenerative cattle need to be managed so that their grazing movements and timing when they go in and when they need to come out is on par with what the land can handle. This means using grazing practices as encouraged by graziers like Jim Gerrish, Joel Salatin, Alan Savory, Gerald Fry, and many others. It is a management scheme that goes far beyond simple rest-rotation; rather looking at the plants, the soil, and the landscape, how to use fencing and water systems to influence better uniform grazing, and judging when to put cattle in, when to take them out, and how long to rest. How much residue to leave behind? How many animals do I need? Those questions are very important.


Folks can be regenerative and utilize grazing animals along with crop production. Briefly mentioned above was crop-residue grazing, where livestock come in after a crop is removed to eat what is left, and leave manure behind to help add fertility to the field. They can also be used to graze a cover or cocktail crop stand. Producers like Gabe Brown, Colin Seis, Darryl Cluff, and others, do just that with success and without needing to use commercial fertilizers or even pesticides. They can build the soil using cocktails sown into existing perennial stands, and using livestock to put seed in the ground and add more fertility. They don't graze until there's nothing left, they put livestock in to graze for a period of time, take them out, and let the mix crop come back in to be harvested. A lot of producers also sow cocktails just to feed their animals, and that's perfectly fine, especially when there's a healthy mix of legumes like five different types of clover, turnips, kale, brassicas, oats, barley, sorghum, annual ryegrass, soybean, corn, buckwheat, millet, and other species mixed in to help build soil and provide opportunity for pollinators and soil biota.


To answer this question again and to summarize, no, plant-based agriculture is NOT the only "environmentally sustainable" form of agriculture nor it is it the only regenerative form of agriculture. A form of agriculture that uses livestock (preferably livestock not raised in confinement with "no legs" so to speak) that have legs and actively graze, peck or root in an annual or perennial plant stand, is the most regenerative and environmentally "sustainable" form of agriculture. The natural world of the Earth did not exist with just plants or just animals. It exists because BOTH plants AND animals co-exist, and that should be and is reflected in agricultural practices today and moreso into the future.

What do you do if your dinner guest is a vegan?

It would be respectful to not offer that guest meat if this is a dinner party where there are several people. However if this is merely a friend coming over for dinner the correct and polite thing would be to not cook any meat.

It would be very polite if you did not serve items like entire bodies of animals, like lobster. As a vegan, I know it is uncomfortable to sit around people eating nonvegan, but especially so when it is messy, has an intense aroma, or a straight-up animal organ or body part, like ribs or liver. You don't want someone bursting into tears or puking on your dinner table. Try not to directly sit them next to or across from someone who is particularly carnivorous as well.

Ask QuestionsDuring preparations for the dinner, ask your vegan guest what other food items s/he can or cannot eat. Vegans don't just not eat meat; dairy, eggs and, honey are no-nos.(and some wines) But do offer your vegan guest more than a salad! Usually vegans are fine with side dishes as they do not want to be a burden- just make sure to inform them of all ingredients. This is also great to avoid awkwardness or tension, a vegan does not want to have special status with an entirely different meal. It's like the food elephant in the room. If your vegan guest is particularly extreme, don't given the a silk napkin.

If your vegan dinner guest is the guest of honor or if you especially wish to impress or gain favor with them, the best thing you can do is serve an entirely vegan meal for every guest. (Chances are, they're vegan for ethical reasons, so it should only work in your favor!)

Where can you get vegetarian or vegan mozzarella cheese?

Consult with a good deli; they might have some. A great, meltable vegan mozzarella is by Follow Your Heart and can be found at health food stores or online (such as veganessentials.com).

Where can you buy vegan nachos in Singapore?

Try the Vegetarian Society of Singapore, they may help.

The link to their website is below -

Does being a vegan cause problems with the sun?

No, being vegan does not cause problems with the sun.

Who is speaking at Michigan's Vegfest 2011?

The panel consists of Jim McNellis (moderator and "junk food vegan"), Dr. Joel Kahn (doctor), Jean Ostrowski (vegan pregnancy and newborn), Celeste Ivey (vegan chef/baker), and Olivia Neilson (veg kid).

Can a vegan eat Goldfish Crackers?

well technacaly no cuz it contains cheese and some times milk i suggest tryong original but check ingrediants

ORIt depends upon the vegetarian. Vegans don't eat milk or eggs, and if you read the ingredients on your Goldfish crackers, you may find it contains eggs, and I'd bed it contains milk in the form of cheese.

However, some vegetarians are okay with eating certain kinds of fish. For example, many Seventh-Day-Adventists, who practice vegetarianism, are okay with eating tuna, but not shellfish. This is due to restrictions that are mentioned in the old testament of the Bible.

Other vegetarians follow a vegetarian diet--not for religious reasons, but because they do not wish to be cruel to animals. In that case, a vegetarian would definitely find it offensive to eat a tuna, because one would have to kill the tuna to eat it.

Source(s):I'm a former Adventist.

When did Oliver Sykes become a vegan?

No-one cares, he's a çunt. If you're interested in becoming a vegan do it for your own reasons, not so you can say "Look at me, I'm a vegan...like Oli Sykes!"

Do vegans and vegetarians get discriminated in public and if so then why?

Yes, because people think they are being snobby when they say they can't eat something. Also, ethical vegetarians tend to annoy meat-eaters because knowing that they don't want to see animals suffer, and can make other food choices in order to avoid that suffering, makes them feel guilty about doing something they enjoy.

Is Christian Serratos a vegan?

No. Christian Serratos is a vegetarian.

Are there any dairy free and soy free products?

Yes, there are such products, but you will have to read ingredient labels very carefully. In the U.S., manufacturers are required to clearly list those two allergens on their ingredients panel. But mistakes and omissions can be made.

If you are dealing with food allergies, your best defense is to become educated about what those products are in. For instance, "non-dairy creamers" almost always contain the milk product - casein.

See Related Links.

Can a vegan diet cause depression?

A vegan diet does not necessarily cause depression, though transitioning to a vegan diet can cause all sorts of physical and emotional symptoms while your body gets used to it, just like transitioning to any new diet or even a new altitude or lifestyle can. These symptoms generally pass after a few weeks.

However, a vegan diet can put you at risk for certain nutritional deficits if you are not careful about meeting your nutritional needs, specifically protein, iron and B12, with B12 being the most worrisome.

An iron deficiency leads to anemia, which causes you to feel sluggish and generally unwell, including depression-like symptoms. These generally go away as soon as your iron is back on track. You can prevent this by eating lots of beans, leafy greens and whole grains.

B12 deficiency can lead to anemia as well. It can also cause a range of psychotic and neurologic problems, including depression. It takes a long time for B12 deficiency to show up, because your requirements are quite low and it stays in the body for a long time, so someone could be vegan for years before they have problems. The best vegan source for this nutrient is nutritional yeast.

Many vegetarians/vegans make the mistake of eating refined carbohydrates. Avoid these as much as you can; they deplete the body of B vitamins, which can make you feel depressed/anxious. Make sure you get enough protein, too--the brain needs it!

Vegans often don't get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet; the main sources being fish. However, nuts and certain plant oils do contain adequate amounts of omega-3s, and it's vital that vegans try to incorporate these into their daily diet. A food supplement is a good way of dealing with fatty acid shortfalls. While many Vegans may be familiar with flax and hemp oils, there is a better source out there derived from the echium plant. This is a relative newcomer, and currently only one manufacturer in the UK provides a product called Echiomega, which contains this important oil, but it's well worth checking out. Lack of omega-3 have been linked to an increased risk of depression, so i'd definitely start upping my omega-3s.

Protein deficiencies can also cause depression. Make sure you are getting enough protein!

Too many simple carbohydrates can also cause depression, especially when protein is low.

Try leafy greens such as collards (calcium and magnesium are essential). B vitamins in general can also help depression.

Don't forget sun, exercise, friendship, therapy, and a spiritual practice such as meditation.

Is Bear Grylls a vegan?

Yes, it may look like he eats spiders and stuff, he chomps them up and spits them out. I know this cuz' my Uncle James said in a hunting magazine, and it said Bear Grylls is a vegan

What are some easy vegan recipes?

A simple easy to make vegan recipe is vegan creamy vegetable gratin. It requires vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and celery. It also requires vegan cream cheese and vegan mozzarella.

What is a recipe for vegan chicken stock?

You can buy vegen chicken stock. Otherwise, make a basic broth (this can be used for any other type of recipe, too) of water. Into that, place peeled, largely and roughyl chopped carrots, potatoes, sweet onions, celery, garlic gloves (leave whole, just crush or split in half to release the juices), herbs of your choice, spices of your choice. Let this boil and simmer. Strain out the larger vegetabels, saving the stock in a large pot. (If you want, you can chop the vegetables smaller and add back in for a soup).

To flavor, use a vegen chicken paste or flavoring. Otherwise, you can add in poultry seasoning.

Vegetables that could be eaten on a salad?

Pretty much any vegetable can be put on a salad. Some might be a bit odd (like potatoes), but many vegetables can either be the salad (lettuce, spinach) or toppings (commong ones are tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, corn, onions, and mushrooms).

How do you become a vegan?

Make the choice and commitment to stop consuming parts of animals and their secretions. The way to do that is to find alternatives near you and stop purchasing products that are not vegan in nature. This includes all types of meat, dairy products, honey, eggs, and any other products that are made with such ingredients. Instead opt for fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables that are high in the nutrients your body and mind needs.

There are good books on the subject, one is called "Becoming Vegan". There are also plenty of amazing vegan cookbooks out there, look for authors - Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Dreena Burton, and Sarah Kramer for some good starter cookbooks.

Another Answer:Watch the movie earthlings on youtube...that will pretty much convince anyone to go vegan. Besides ethical reasons, do it for your health. Just looking at our physiology as humans, we do not share the same characteristics as a carnivorous animal. Be so attracted to fruit that you have no desire for anything else!

Aother Answer#2:

Being vegan or even vegetarian is not just a matter of not eating meat. You have to maintain your body's nutrient requirements by choosing a balanced diet providing all nutrients, mineral, protein, and trace organics. Many unskillful vegans have wound up with serious dietary short comings by not studying their food needs.

Those considering veganism may wish to adopt the diet gradually to allow their bodies and lifestyles time to adjust to different eating habits. Some nutritionists have recommended "transition" diets to help people change

An Answer to the Above Answer: That is FALSE. A vegan is no more at risk of malnutrition than anyone else. Eating a healthy range of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seed, etc., will cover your nutritional needs, plus perhaps a B-12 supplement. The above edit by "Wildrosebeef" is an obvious scare tactic employed by purveyors of the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet), which more people suffer from malnutrition while eating, by the way. I've been vegan for 10 years, my bloodwork is always fantastic and I am no more "skilled" than any other vegan out there. PLEASE do not fall for the "it's too complicated!" B.S.

Is Pink a vegan?

Her Wikipedia page says she eats fish, so no, she is not a vegan.

How would a vegan get calicum without consuming dairy or supplement pills?

A vegan diet contains more calcium than an typical ominvore diet. Consuming milk actually makes bones weaker, because it raises blood acidity and to compensate, the body pulls calcium out of the bones to bring the acid ratio down. 1 cup of cow milk = 300 mg calcium. 1 cup almond milk = 459 mg calcium and it is more easily assimilated by the body than the calcium in cow milk. All green leafy veggies contain calcium as well. Other vegan sources of calcium are molasses, tofu, soy milk, and calcium fortified orange juice.