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most googled questions on veganism 2019

As I pointed out on another thread,
How can a vegan diet really be compared to other food diets when vitamin B12 supplements are needed?
Yes, if one is on a so-called macrobiotic diet that could include capsules of this or that I tend to be doubtful there also.
I guess it depends on definitions.
In some ways the vegan movement reminds me of a religious movement, because it has tried to embrace more than a choice of food types. We have to be careful that the 'movement' tries to claim more attention and legislative attention than it warrants for the diet side of its beliefs alone.
 
I think we should have respect for anyone doing a vegan vegetarian or any other diet. Just because it may not be what we do personally does not make it wrong.
 
The problem comes when you have a loud vegan lobby blaming meat for T2 diabetes. This in turn leads to ideas such as the 'meat tax', which in turn would result in people loading up on carbs. All based on the lie that carb-heavy diets are good for you, but meat and eggs are bad. No-one on a low-carb diet needs to take Quorn supplements to get essential nutrients. Vegans, on the other hand, need artificially sourced supplements of B12 (easily found in eggs).
 
To be fair to the vegans in Oldvatr's article, they are completely open and explicit in stating that veganism is a movement, not a diet; in this instance, health concerns are secondary to their ethical beliefs. I have a pet and sometimes wear leather shoes, so I'm already out. Diabetics who need animal-source insulin are also out.
If your beliefs compel you to veganism, and your body allows you to maintain the diet, then I have plenty of respect for that. I'm just not sure it works as a January fad, and I'm not sure it's suitable for everyone.
 
Just wondered if there are any Vegans on this forum who can tell us about it and how they keep healthy on a vegan diet as many here seem to think that is not possible
 
Pinkorchid said:
Just wondered if there are any Vegans on this forum who can tell us about it and how they keep healthy on a vegan diet as many here seem to think that is not possible
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Also some on here seem to equate being vegan with being either an active or brainwashed / deluded member of an extremist ‘movement’ , rather than an adult who has made their own decisions regarding their own diet.
Seems a bit like labelling all members of religious communities as active or brainwashed extremists - seeing all members of the Christian “movement” as being fundamentalist deniers of evolution, all members of the Muslim “movement” as being Jihadis etc etc etc
I am not and never have been vegan, but the passion with which some here regularly and repeatedly attack / mock vegans is something I find very bizzare
 
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Pinkorchid said:
Just wondered if there are any Vegans on this forum who can tell us about it and how they keep healthy on a vegan diet as many here seem to think that is not possible
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I know two vegans, who are vegans for ethical reasons. They both take loads of vitamin supplements.
 
I have total respect for my two vegan friends and their right to make choices. And they respect me.

I simply want the same respect for my choices, driven by my medical needs, from vegans pushing their agenda on others and implicitly or explicitly saying that we non-vegans hate the planet, are uncaring, and agree with animal cruelty. Its that polarization and attempting to force their choices on me that I am objecting to.
 
Oldvatr said:
According to Aunty Beeb, this is from their website. We may wish to discuss this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46775963

Welcome to Veganuary.
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one wrong point in that article:
sheep are not raised solely for their fleece. The fleece is a byproduct of raising meat animals, and breeding stock for meat. The sheep have to be annually sheared regardless of what you do with them. So much for the accuracy of that article.
 
Oldvatr said:
According to Aunty Beeb, this is from their website. We may wish to discuss this.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46775963

Welcome to Veganuary.
Click to expand...
another point (I'm on a roll)

Considering the fuss doctors etc make about cutting out carbs - which are nonessential from a nutritional point of view, why is it then OK to recommend and promote a vegan diet, which requires supplements such as B12 to make it healthy? makes no sense to me.

PS B12 is made from bacteria, a living organism.
 
lucylocket61 said:
I know two vegans, who are vegans for ethical reasons. They both take loads of vitamin supplements.
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If people want to be vegan for ethical reasons and that means they need supplements what's wrong with that? Pregnant women often need supplements, it doesn't mean they shouldn't get pregnant.
 
Mr_Pot said:
If people want to be vegan for ethical reasons and that means they need supplements what's wrong with that? Pregnant women often need supplements, it doesn't mean they shouldn't get pregnant.
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Absolutely nothing!
People can define and shape their diet however they want, within legal limits, as well as deciding what supplements from which sources they accept. For many vegans & vegetarians it is only “ sentient” animal life they decline to make use of / eat - some would argue that bacteria and particularly bacterial colonies ( such as those in our own guts or the ones from which B12 is harvested) have a degree of awareness, many would disagree.
For any non vegan ( Im not referring to Lucylockett here) to argue what does / does not constitute a vegan diet is as bonkers as a vegan saying what does / does not constitute a true carnivore diet ( e.g. that the carnivore tag only applies to cannibals and / or those who behave as a carnivore by hunting & killing their own meat
 
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I’m on a keto carnivore way of eating, and I need supplements. Have done for years, thanks to my body failing to absorb some nutrients properly.

I have never understood why people single out veganism for criticism on B12 grounds, when numerous non-vegans need B12 supplements AND other ways of eating often need supplements.
As an example, many low carbers need magnesium supplements.

As for ‘vegan bashing’ and mocking anyone for their ethics or lifestyle choices - that is simply not welcome on this forum.
In fact the forum ethos and rules specifically state:
Rule A3: Respect others’ differences. Do not disparage because they do not share your opinion or way of doing things. If you find an error then correct it constructively. State your source for the correction so there is no doubt about it.

Of course, this rule works in both directions, and the disparaged should treat the disparager with the same respect they would like to receive.

Where members feel that A3 is being breached, please report the post in question by using the Report button available under every post, rather than starting WWIII on the threads.
 
I see nothing wrong in a Vegan diet, if people want to do this because of changing dietary requirements ( cutting out foods they normally eat, want to cleanse their body or loose weight) or for ethical reason's, it's not a problem.
It can become a touchy subject when people are so forceful with their views/opinions or on a crusade and pour scorn on other's who don't agree with them.

How do vegans make cake?
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Eggs, milk, flour, sugar, butter, chocolate.

All these common cake ingredients are vegan to begin with or readily available in a vegan form - except the eggs.

Many vegans like to use egg replacers, which are easy to make at home.

Typical substitutes can include things like banana, flaxseed, applesauce and chia seeds.

Vegan Amy Kennedy, 21, from Essex, tells Radio 1 Newsbeat: "Vegan cakes are becoming more and more accessible, and a lot of the big supermarkets are releasing vegan cupcakes.

"A lot of biscuits are accidentally vegan too."


Since when has 'milk' and 'butter' 'chocolate', been vegan to begin with - unquote lol
Or have I read it wrongly ?
 
Almond milk or Hemp milk, almond butter, carob beans??????
 
Oldvatr said:
Almond milk or Hemp milk, almond butter, carob beans??????
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copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Eggs, milk, flour, sugar, butter, chocolate.

All these common cake ingredients are vegan to begin with

These are common ingredients and they aren't vegan, but................. there are vegan alternatives.
 
Boo1979 said:
Also some on here seem to equate being vegan with being either an active or brainwashed / deluded member of an extremist ‘movement’ , rather than an adult who has made their own decisions regarding their own diet.
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For adults its fine, they are quite able to make their own choices, but when those adults cause their children (and probably pets) health issues and even death by following their dietary protocols I do start to wonder if it's similar to groups that refuse medical treatment etc because of their "religion". There have been more and more cases recently of young parents imposing restricted diets on their offspring which then lead to harm... Where do you stand on that and more to the point what should be done?
Edit to add I'll tag in @Pinkorchid as well.
 
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