Veganism is a way of life

By Natalie Urban

Reporter

Veganism is defined as a way of living that excludes the use or consumption of an animal product. Some people view veganism. Others just view it as a diet for the time being.

People who view it as a way of living typically do it to protect the animals but it’s more than just that. Going vegan also helps out the environment. The large amount of grain feed needed for meat production is a big contributor to many things such as species extinction, deforestation, and habitat loss.

The main reason why many people decide to go vegan is for the animals and to help protect them. Many animals are killed or tortured by the meat, egg, and dairy industry. Even eggs that are ‘free range’ involve the killing of the ‘unnecessary’ male chicks that are just a day old.

In the dairy industry, they typically use artificial insemination forcibly on the dairy cows. They do this because they need to get the cow pregnant in order for her to produce milk, which makes them money. When the cow gives birth, her baby is typically taken away within 24 hours. This causes immense stress on the baby and mother. Dairy cows can live 25+ years but in the dairy industry they are considered useless and slaughtered at the age of 7 or 8.

Veganism also has an impact on your health. Researchers have linked vegan diets to lower blood pressure, lower rates of heart disease, lower rates of type 2 diabetes, and lower rates in some types of cancer.

“It seems like a good concept but I don’t know if I would be able to do it” said Cassidy Kranzer.

A lot of people think this. They think that it’s too difficult to go vegan but if you take your time and slowly ease into it, you will have a much easier transition.