Question for vegetarians: why aren't you vegan?

Question

This a question for vegetarians. It is not a question for vegans or omnis. If you come here and make up stuff, you will be ignored because your opinion doesn't matter in this context. Heartbreaking, I know.

So, I was just wondering why all vegetarians aren't vegans. Most vegetarians are so for ethical or health reasons, and consuming dairy and eggs is neither healthful nor ethical. I feel like vegetarians who argue otherwise aren't well-educated about what they are eating. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. I'm not attacking vegetarians or being pretentious, because I do appreciate vegetarians taking any step at all to limit their impact. I'm just generally curious to what your reasons are.

For those of you who went vegetarian for ethical reasons: Do you not know how much harm chickens and cows go through for you to have your eggs and milk? Sure chickens can be kept cagefree, but they still have their beaks removed and are so crowded they aren't really free. Also, when you eat processed foods or foods at restuarants, they are most likely not using cagefree, anyway. Not to mention that animals are still killed, because the egg instudry breeds chickens to get more egg-laying hens and so when male chickens hatch they are thrown out because they aren't useful. Dairy is NEVER ethical. Cows only produce milk when they are pregnant and nursing. For you to get this milk requires that cows are always kept pregnant, and that their babies are slaughtered for veal so humans can steal the milk that was intended for their calves. Cows don't just make milk for no reason, no mammal does. By consuming dairy you are still aiding in the slaughter of thousands of animals.

For those that went vegetarian for health reasons: Dairy isn't healthy. Dairy is extremely fattening because it is intended to nurse babies, and babies need the chub for protection until they are weaned. Also, about 75% of the world's population is intolerant to dairy. In fact, the only reason what it's even on the food pyramid is because dairy companies helped write it and they want you to think it's critical to your health so they can make money. The food pyramid wasn't even established by scientists, who actually understand what a human body needs to be healthy.

Also, consuming dairy and eggs isn't logically sound. Humans are the only mammals who consume milk after they have been weaned, and we are the only mammals who consume the milk of a mammal that is an entirely different species than we are. That makes absolutely no sense. Eggs are seriously just that, the unfertilized eggs from a chicken's ovaries. Why would anyone want to eat the product of a different species' reproductive system?

I would also like to debunk this myth that veganism is difficult. If being vegan is too inconvenient, your diet revolves too heavily around these kinds of foods, anyway. If you are eating a balanced diet, it isn't difficult to simply remove dairy and eggs. Don't have cheese in your burritos or pasta, cut down on sweets. Most vegans do not rely heavily on "substitutes". Being vegan is not expensive, either. If you only want frozen, processed vegan meals, then yeah, it's difficult to find and can get costly. But foods that haven't been highly processed aren't expensive, like tortillas, rice, beans, pasta, etc. The only foods that can be costly are fruits and veggies, but you can get frozen (which don't differ from fresh in terms of healthfulness) or if you're seriously on a budget, canned. Besides, fruit and veggies only cost as much as dairy products, anyway. I find it difficult to believe that even an omni wouldn't have ingredients like the ones I mentioned on hand.

Once again, I'm not trying to demoralize vegetarians. I just don't understand how you guys can ignore or fail to understand all of these things. It seems like the only reasons supplied are that it doesn't affect animals, it's unhealthy not to, it's too expensive or inconvenient or just because you like to eat it. The last being on the only reason I didn't address, isn't that what omnis say when vegetarians are upset with them for eating meat? I just find it difficult to believe that vegetarians would only be partially committed to animal welfare and continue to consume dairy or eggs for no more than "I like it".

Can anyone provide a justifiable reason for being vegetarian but not vegan?

Answer 1

Trying to go vegan. Actually I haven't ate dairy/eggs/honey in about 2-3 months. Some days I have mad cravings, so I give in. (NOT to meat.. dairy & eggs) Not a good reason, but still a reason. Going vegetarian right away was very easy to me, but with veganism it's going to take more effort.

Answer 2

I didn't go vegan because my family was veg for religious reasons, and the idea being that the cow gives the milk AFTER feeding the calf, not before. When they moved to the US, it was out of habit, they didn't bother thinking about the reason milk was OK, and it was deeply ingrained into their diet. (Kind of annoying that this will be a third reason I can't eat veg food at my temple, the first two being that I'm allergic to a staple, and the food doesn't mesh well with wearing braces.)



I'm not vegan because I still eat honey. I actually HATE it, but I've noticed a remarkable decline in my allergy symptoms when I eat it. I don't feel bad about the bees because most exploitation comes from bees used for pollination, not the ones used for honey. Even organic farmers use rent-a-bee. I also still wear wool (because of how they were bred, you actually HAVE to shave the sheep), but not leather, silk, nor faux/real fur. I avoid animal testing in beauty/cosmetics, but I'm not going to picket against medical testing on animals (it's actually required to use in vivo tests prior to testing on humans, and I doubt people would approve of you if you state you value the life of a rat over a child with leukemia). In case you can't tell, I've stopped eating eggs and milk.



Someone really shouldn't even have to justify themselves for being vegetarian and not vegan. At least they're doing something. It's the small little things as a whole that makes the difference, not the drastic actions of a minority.

Answer 3

I have been a vegetarian for 11 years! I became one when I was 6 because I loved animals so much! And I have just got into the habit now that I could never eat an animal, knowing it haas been killed for me to eat when I don't need it!

I eat milk and eggs for many reasons. I have my own pet chicken is one! She is gorgeous and so loving that I don't see why I shouldn't eat her eggs when she's laying them anyway because that would be wasteful and there are thousands of people starving to death everyday. (she has a shed and large run to herself and is allowed out in the garden everyday to hunt for insects or eat plants etc,, so don't assume she's a battery hen because she's very well looked after! Milk is something I have, grown up on and as I see it, the animals not being killed by being milked (even thigh you made a valid point).

I would never even consider being a vegan! I am a fussy eater and have many food allergies where my mouth and, throat get little blistery sores. I get these when I eat any fruit! As well as things such as juice, beans, sauces etc! I also need a source of fat and protein from somewhere as I eat so little! And don't say nuts and stuff because I hate them! I pretty much live on cheese! I don't east a balanced diet however I also don't eat things like crisps and sweets etc.

Personally I couldn't care less on peoples diet preferences! I grew up as the only vegetarian in a house of meat eaters, my boyfriend loves Meat but this doesn't bother me, its their life! Not mine! And if everyone in the world decided to become veggie/vegan even more animals would die and millions Of farmers would be out of business! Who's going to keep pigs, cows, Chickens etc if they have no purpose or cant make any money off them. They would all eventually become extinct.



I don't care what others eat, so they shouldn't care about what I choose to eat or not! Being a vegan is not a healthy option for me and never will be. I'm happy eating the way I eat.





:)

Answer 4

im a vegetarian, and yeah i dont get it either, but i dont eat eggs, cheese, yogart, and i dont drink milk. i think the only dairy product i really eat is butter. i cant get an alternative for anything except for the milk. i eat processed foods, and i know its not very good for you. i dont blame you for calling me a hypocrite, but hey, i bought vegan spaghetti. there are lots of good reasons to not be a vegan. someone could have hypoglycemia or diabetes. insulin is from animals, which diabetics need to use every day. 220 million people have it.someone could want to be one, like me, just be under some tough circumstances, like money issues, or they might not live with any other vegetarians or vegans, like me. you are right. some strict vegetarians dont eat much dairy though. maybe they care about animals but dont care enough to be a vegan. i dont want to let go of my chocolate though. it would be very hard. dont forget the other things, like soap that wasnt tested on animals, and cleaning products. im sure some people dont have excess to those things

Answer 5

I do not know, I used to listen to plenty of matters that have been lovely ignorant or dull, however I cannot believe of some thing that made me indignant. Sometimes it made me snicker, regardless that. "You do not consume meat? Not even bologna?" "Go forward and consume it. It may not kill you." (from the identical man who stated the primary one) "My daughter was a vegetarian, however she gave it up given that she went on a tenting go back and forth and obtained hepatitis from ingesting unhealthy water." (I not ever did recognize how being vegetarian had some thing to do with getting hepatitis from "unhealthy water.") "I notion vegetarians have been thin." (I get that one plenty.) "You'll be anemic, and your muscle mass will atrophy." (my mom stated that, she was once a nurse) "Who do you believe you're? Gandhi?" (additionally my mom) I paintings in scientific documents and one time a healthcare professional wrote "vegetarian nutrition" on a sufferer's prognosis record as though it was once a ailment. Vegetarianism isn't identified as an health problem through World Health Organization, AMA or another reputable well being care group.

Answer 6

tl;dr



Many vegetarians are also living with their parents, which makes it harder to get a healthy vegan diet regularly. I, for one, am waiting to go full vegan for when I get a job and have money to support my diet. Vital wheat gluten and nooch may be great, but they aren't cheap, especially when you've got snarky parents who don't like "the whole vegan thing."

Answer 7

I am a vegetarian but not a vegan because of religious reasons. I pray everyday and can not eat PURE meat. But I am allowed to eat SOME meat related products.

Answer 8

Vegetarians believe in not harming animals. Eating milk and cheese really doesn't hurt cows and goats and other animals.

Answer 9

I don't mind because the animals don't get hurt from me trying to get my vitamin D and my calcium! :D lol