Why Vegans Should Welcome Health-Conscious Plant-Eaters
Editorial
The rise of plant-based diets for health reasons has brought an unexpected ally to the vegan movement. While veganism is rooted in animal welfare and environmentalism, many now embrace plants for their well-being. This shared dietary choice, regardless of motivation, presents a powerful opportunity.
Vegans welcoming health-conscious plant-eaters multiplies the impact on animal lives. Every plant-based meal, chosen for any reason, reduces demand for animal products. This translates directly to fewer animals raised and slaughtered. By encouraging these "accidental allies," vegans can significantly contribute to saving countless lives.
Health-focused eaters often become unwitting advocates. As they share their positive experiences, they raise awareness about the benefits of plant-based living. This increased visibility sparks curiosity and opens doors to the ethical side of veganism. For some, health might be the gateway to a more comprehensive vegan lifestyle. Supporting these individuals creates a ripple effect, expanding veganism's reach beyond initial motivations.
Inclusivity is key. The vegan movement has sometimes been perceived as exclusive. By embracing health-conscious eaters, vegans foster a welcoming community. This broadens the movement's appeal and unites diverse dietary choices under a single plant-based umbrella. A united front, regardless of individual reasons, is far more powerful than a divided one.
Furthermore, the environmental benefits of plant-based eating shouldn't be forgotten. Livestock farming significantly impacts greenhouse gases, deforestation, and water pollution. Supporting health-conscious eaters allows vegans to align their advocacy with broader environmental goals, attracting a wider audience concerned about sustainability.
The health benefits themselves become a powerful testament. Many initially fear a plant-based diet lacks variety or leads to deficiencies. Witnessing the well-being of those who've adopted this lifestyle increases its acceptance. This can pave the way for broader adoption, ultimately benefiting animals, the environment, and public health.
Finally, supporting health-conscious eaters aligns with the core vegan principle of compassion. Veganism is about reducing suffering and promoting well-being for all. By embracing those choosing plant-based eating for any reason, vegans embody the very values they advocate. This fosters understanding and creates a more compassionate world.
In essence, every plant-based meal, chosen for health or ethics, contributes to a larger good. By welcoming health-conscious eaters, vegans can amplify their impact, foster inclusivity, and advance the cause of compassion and sustainability.
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General Resources
Books:
Dominion: The Power of Animals in Nature and in Our Imagination by Matthew Scully
Animal Liberation by Peter Singer
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Billion Hungry Mouths: Feeding the World Without Consuming the Planet by Colin Tudge
Websites and organizations:
Documentaries:
Articles:
"The Case for Animal Rights" by Tom Regan
‘‘Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism’’ by Melanie Joy
‘‘Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach’’ by Gary L. Francione
‘‘Fellow Creatures: Our Obligations to the Other Animals’’ by Christine Korsgaard
Seeds of Compassion: Finding Jesus Christ in a Vegan World by Michael Corthell
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The information on this vegan/plant-based blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, medical, or professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their situation. The blog owner is not responsible for any reliance on the information herein.
Thank goodness! I have been getting despondent of so called Vegans being almost anti human in their desire to push Veganism onto everyone. Those choosing a plant based diet for health reasons are not considered Vegans and therefore are separated out and called out cruelly. I’ve been trying to find a space like this that sees anyone who is trying to move away from a diet containing meat for whatever reason, as not just an ally but someone who is compassionate towards themself - realising the need to look after their own bodies - and compassionate towards others, including all living beings we share this earth with. Totally agree with this post and a breath of fresh air for me, having been a Vegan for over 40 years, to find such compassion and inclusivity towards others. I welcome anyone who chooses even to reduced their meat in take and to think about products they use and their impact on the environment. Looking forward to read through other articles in your library as well. Thank you for this. At last, a safe space for me.
Thanks for writing this editorial piece, Michael. It stimulates a lot of thought, and hopefully, it will foster constructive conversation. My views differ from yours in one central point – the term health should receive top billing rather than an unwitting advocate.
The term vegan is stuck in how it was initially applied and understood – it hasn’t evolved during the past 80 years since its inception in 1944 by British animal rights advocate Donald Watson. That’s a problem.
The term may have been developed in 1944, but eating a plant-based diet didn’t begin on that date. Evidence suggests people have chosen plant-based diets for as long as 2,000 years. Somehow, in a post-WWII environment, the term veganism only related to animal rights when it became adopted into its charter as a non-profit organization. The Green movement essentially adopted this term in the 1970s and 1980s, including environmental issues under an umbrella definition. Oddly, this brought increased political scrutiny to the idea of veganism when militant organizations went too far in promoting “green” issues that didn’t have much to do with real vegan concerns. This move created an impression that labeled vegans as too militant...or too left...we became "tree huggers."
Unfortunately, veganism never included the idea of health in its charter—it was always about animals and the environment, and those arguments never gained widespread acceptance on the political or cultural front. Of course, there were no ultra-processed foods during the 1940s, widespread distribution factors to be concerned with, or even corporate farming techniques that are so harmful to animals, the environment, and people’s health.
I agree with some of your editorial comments. This sentence makes the most sense, “A united front, regardless of individual reasons, is far more powerful than a divided one.” I completely agree – this is true in family matters, politics, sports, etc. Most of the remainder of your opinions go on to separate the concept of veganism into the three categories most of us are familiar with: environment, health, and animal rights...with the latter remaining at the forefront and the other reasons becoming a tag-along in the vegan movement. Here’s how you elected to place me (and others), “Health-focused eaters often become unwitting advocates.” Sorry, but I don’t consider myself an unwitting advocate.
I know the idea of veganism began with animal rights. And I know one of the written core principles of the Vegan Society is based on compassion for all living things. In my view, this places an umbrella over everything, meaning health is at the forefront of every idea veganism stands for - health for the planet and all living sentient beings. A health focus is not merely an unwitting advocate – it is the driving force behind everything vegan, plant-based, or whatever name emerges in the future.
The ideas of veganism cannot prosper or realize widespread acceptance that fosters lasting change with anything other than a complete focus on health. That means it is time for the Vegan Society to evolve its charter and begin acting with more unity and inclusion.