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While using public transportation, shopping with reusable bags, and taking shorter showers are all commendable, none of these actions has as big an impact on the environment as what you eat does. When it comes to climate change, animal agriculture is the leading culprit.

It's simple, really:

Water and land are used to grow crops to feed animals.

Those crops and water are used to bulk up animals for slaughter.

The animals emit noxious levels of CO₂, methane gas, and excrement that pollute our air and waterways.

Animals are transported in semi-trucks and processed in large factory-style slaughterhouses, and their body parts are packaged and shipped across the country.

Of all the agricultural land in the U.S., 80 percent is used to raise animals for food and grow grain to feed them-that's almost half the total land mass of the lower 48 states! On top of that, nearly half of all the water used in the U.S. goes to raising animals for food.

The billions of chickens, turkeys, pigs, and cows who are crammed onto factory farms produce enormous amounts of methane, both during digestion and from the acres of cesspools filled with their feces.

Scientists report that every pound of methane is more than 84 times as effective as carbon dioxide is at trapping heat in our atmosphere. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that animal agriculture is the single largest source of methane emissions in the U.S.

Anita Krajnc/Toronto Pig Save | Toronto Pig Save

Burning fossil fuels (such as oil and gasoline) releases carbon dioxide, the primary gas responsible for climate change. Producing 1 calorie from animal protein requires 11 times as much fossil fuel input-releasing 11 times as much carbon dioxide-as does producing 1 calorie from plant protein.

The National Audubon Society, the Worldwatch Institute, the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and even Al Gore's Live Earth say that raising animals for food damages the environment more than just about anything else that we do. The good news is you don't have to buy a hybrid car or let "the yellow mellow" in the toilet all day in order to make a difference. You have the power to help the planet every time you sit down to eat!

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Climate Change and Animal Agriculture, Explained

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While using public transportation, shopping with reusable bags, and taking shorter showers are all commendable, none of these actions has as big an impact on the environment as what you eat does. When it comes to climate change, animal agriculture is the leading culprit.

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Use a large proportion of world’s sources for growing crops for animal agriculture instead of feeding humans

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Use a large proportion of world’s sources for growing crops for animal agriculture instead of feeding humans

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A meat-eater’s diet requires 17 times more land, 14 times more water and 10 times more energy than a vegetarian’s, according to research published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This is principally because we use a large proportion of the world’s land for growing crops to feed livestock, rather than humans. (Of the world’s approximately five billion hectares of agricultural land, 68% is used for livestock.)

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To get you started, check out our top vegan recipes, including easy vegan dishes, vegan family recipes and vegan desserts.

How does food affect greenhouse gases?

Your fridge might seem an unlikely setting for the fight against global warming, but did you know that food is responsible for a third of all manmade greenhouse gas emissions? What's more, meat and dairy make up nearly 60 per cent of that carbon footprint.

The UN says that global farmed livestock accounts for roughly 11 per cent of all manmade greenhouse gas emissions (with methane from cows a surprisingly big culprit). But according to new research published in the journal Climate, if we all went vegan, the world's food-related CO2 emissions may drop by 68 per cent within 15 years, The move, which the study's authors admit is hypothetical, would also provide the cut in emissions needed to limit global warming to 2ºC.

However, going vegan is not the only way to reduce food-related greenhouse gasses. Regenerative farming improves soil health on a farm by diversifying the types of crops grown and integrating them with animals. For example, a farmer could graze cows or sheep on a field for one year, making use of their natural fertiliser while also giving the soil a rest.

The Soil Association says healthy soil can capture and store more carbon than degraded soil; around two tonnes more carbon in every football pitch-sized patch of farmland. The idea is gaining popularity - in 2021, the UK government announced plans to subsidise farmers up to £70 per hectare if they adopt regenerative agriculture techniques.

So, going vegan may be better for the planet but there are other ways to tackle carbon emissions and global warming that don't mean cutting out meat and dairy.

Is a vegan diet healthy?

We know Western diets are linked to many health problems including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. In 2015, the World Health Organisation even categorised processed meat such as bacon as carcinogenic, along with asbestos, alcohol and arsenic. This might suggest that switching to a more plant-focused diet may be good for you as well as the planet.

An increasing amount of evidence shows the health benefits of eating more plant-focused foods, such as a reduced risk of dying from heart disease, fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and a lower risk of some cancers. A 2018 study by University of Oxford even concluded that switching to a plant-based diet could save up to eight million lives worldwide.

However, being vegan doesn't necessarily mean you're eating healthily. Some vegan products contain a lot of coconut oil, for example, which is high in saturated fat. The rise in vegan junk food, like burgers, 'fish' and chips, or sausage rolls, could also be fooling you into believing these foods are healthy. In fact, many are high in calories but lacking in essential nutrients, or are packed with salt and sugar.

Vegan diets may also miss out on vital vitamins and minerals, as they're naturally low in calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B12, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. If you are vegan, it's important to eat plenty of plant proteins from beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and soya versions of 'milk' and yogurt to help boost your intake of those nutrients.

Peanuts are also a good vegan source of protein, while other nuts and seeds can provide minerals such as zinc and selenium - cashews, pistachios, flaxseeds, chia or pumpkin seeds are particularly valuable. Quinoa and buckwheat are often called pseudo-grains but are in fact seeds; quinoa is especially useful for vegans because it contains all of the 9 essential amino acids that we need for growth and repair.

It's easy to follow a balanced diet as a vegan but you need to be aware of what - and how much - you're eating: good advice for omnivores and herbivores alike.

Can going vegan reduce food shortages?

Would a vegan future make food poverty history? If it's about freeing up space and resources for growing food, there is some evidence to back this up.

A meat-eater's diet requires 17 times more land, 14 times more water and 10 times more energy than a vegetarian's, according to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This is principally because we use a large proportion of the world's land for growing crops to feed livestock instead of humans - of the world's approximately five billion hectares of agricultural land, 77 per cent is used for livestock.

This squeeze on resources is only set to intensify. In 50 years, the UN predicts there will be 10.5 billion people on the planet (the current world population is around 8 billion). To feed us all, we need to grow food more sustainably.

One of the counterarguments against this vegan solution is that some grazing land isn't suitable for growing crops. That's certainly true, but there's actually a bigger problem with eradicating world hunger. Right now, we already produce enough calories to comfortably feed everyone on the planet, but more than 820 million people may still not get enough food.

In other words, having enough to eat is as much about politics and big business as it is about dietary choices, so there's nothing to say that hunger would be a thing of the past in a vegan world.

Where would all the animals go?

If we no longer bred farm animals, what would happen? Would they become extinct? Would they overrun the planet?
Billions of farm animals would no longer be destined for our dinner plates and if we couldn't return them to the wild, they might be slaughtered, abandoned, or taken care of in sanctuaries. Or, more realistically, farmers might slow down breeding as demand for meat falls.

Farm animals are bred far more intensively than they reproduce in the wild. As with all wildlife, any returned animal populations would fluctuate and eventually reach a balance, depending on predators and available resources in the wild.

It's worth noting that not all livestock could simply 'go free'. Some farm breeds, such as broiler chickens, are now so far removed from their ancestors that they couldn't survive in the wild. Others, like pigs and sheep, could feasibly return to woodlands and grazing pastures, and find their own natural population levels.

On top of that, even if we stopped eating animals, our ongoing destruction of wild habitats would still reduce their numbers. As always with nature, it's a question of balance.

Like this? Now read...
Is a vegan diet better for the environment? For more on vegan diets, we've collaborated with BBC Future - read the BBC Future guide to the health benefits of going vegan. Paul Allen is author of The Ethical Careers Guide and founder of creative agency Lark. All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
What is the planetary health diet?
Is a vegan diet healthy for kids?
What is a GMO diet?
How to switch to a vegan diet

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What would happen if everyone went vegan?

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What would happen if every person on Earth adopted a vegan diet - without milk, meat, honey, or any animal-sourced food? It's a hypothetical question, but environmental writer Paul Allen argues that it's more relevant than ever

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Our collective minds are stuck on this idea that talking about food's environmental impact risks taking something very intimate away from us. In fact it's just the opposite. Reconsidering how we eat offers us hope, and empowers us with choice over what our future planet will look like. And we can ask our local leaders - from city mayors to school district boards to hospital management - to help, by widening our food options.

We simply need less meat and dairy and more plant-based options in our food system if we're to reach our climate goals

On Monday and Tuesday, the city of Chicago is hosting a summit for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy to discuss climate solutions cities can undertake. Strategies to address and lower food's impact should be front and center.

Animal agriculture is choking the Earth, and the longer we turn a blind eye, the more we limit our ability to nourish ourselves, protect waterways and habitats, and pursue other uses of our precious natural resources. Raising livestock for meat, eggs and milk generates 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the second highest source of emissions and greater than all transportation combined. It also uses about 70% of agricultural land, and is one of theleading causes of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution.

On top of this, eating too much meat and dairy is making us sick, greatlyincreasing our risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, several major cancers (including breast, liver and prostate) and obesity. Diets optimal for human health vary, according to David Katz, of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, "but all of them are made up mostly of whole, wholesome plant foods".

So what gives? Why can't we see the forest for the bacon? The truth can be hard to swallow: that we simply need less meat and dairy and more plant-based options in our food system if we're to reach our climate goals.

This can start with individual action. Five years ago, our family felt hopeless about climate change, and helpless to make meaningful change. But when we connected the dots on animal agriculture's impact on the environment, coupled with the truth about nutrition, we took heart because it gave us something we could actually do.

To create change at the scale needed, this will take more than individual choice - we need to get climate leaders on board about the impact of food. Cities and counties have used their buying power to transition fleets from diesel to electric, and we need to do the same with how we purchase food. We have done this in our own community, moving the lunch program of Muse School, in Calabasas, California, and the Avatar movie set to plant-based menus. Scaling up initiatives like these can make a big difference: if the US reduced meat consumption by 50%, it's the equivalent of taking 26 million cars off the road. We think that's damn hopeful.

Decision-makers on all levels can make it easier for us to eat better, by expanding access to food options that are good for our health, affordable, and climate-friendly. Nationwide, cities and school districts have adopted food purchasing policies that include environment, health and fair labor standards. The city of Chicago is a recent adopter of this Good Food Purchasing Program, and so the solutions-focus of the summit is the perfect place to discuss how food can move us toward climate goals. In the same breath that we discuss fossil fuels, we should be talking animal ag, or we're missing a big part of the problem - and a big part of the solution.

Yes, food is inherently personal. It's the cornerstone of holidays, it fuels high school athletes and long workdays, and it nourishes nursing mothers and growing children. And yes, Americans love meat and cheese. But more than that, we love our majestic national parks, family beach vacations and clean air and water for our children and grandchildren.

As individuals, we can make choices on how to better nourish our families, and as citizens, we can encourage local leaders to make choices that will allow us to enjoy our land and natural resources now and in the future.

* James Cameron is a film-maker and deep-sea explorer. Suzy Amis Cameron is a founder of Muse School and Plant Power Task Force.
Topics

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Animal agriculture is choking the ​Earth and making us sick. We must act now | James Cameron and Suzy Amis Cameron

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Our collective minds are stuck on this idea that talking about food's environmental impact risks taking something very intimate away from us. In fact it's just the opposite. Reconsidering how we eat offers us hope, and empowers us with choice over what our future planet will look like.

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Meat production is a leading cause of climate change, water depletion, soil erosion and most other environmental problems

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Meat production is a leading cause of climate change, water depletion, soil erosion and most other environmental problems

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Animal agriculture is killing the planet

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Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret | Documental con subtítulos en español

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Este es un documental del 2014, producido y dirigido por mis pandiamigos Kip Andersen y Keegan Kuhn, que explora el impacto de la ganadería en el medio ambiente e investiga las políticas de diferentes organizaciones ambientales al respecto 📖🔦 Dentro de las organizaciones investigadas en el documental se encuentran Greenpeace,

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Vegans choose their diet for a variety of reasons. Many abstain from animal products because they find factory farming cruel and inhumane. Others believe that animal agriculture destroys the environment. And some simply view veganism as a healthy diet -- one inherently low in fat, calories, and cholesterol and high in fiber and vitamins.

Moral Reasons

Most vegetarians feel ethically unable to eat animals slaughtered for meat. Vegans also believe that factory-farmed egg-laying chickens and dairy cows lead unnecessarily miserable and brief lives. Egg-laying chickens raised in factory farms usually live in small cages with no room to stretch or walk. Although they can live more than a decade, most are slaughtered after two years.

Nonvegans who dislike factory-farm methods often choose free-range animal husbandry as an alternative. The United States Department of Agriculture requires that free-range chickens have access to an outdoor area. They do not, however, specify how much time chickens spend outside of pens and cages [source: USDA ]. Because of this loophole, vegans who choose the diet for moral reasons believe free range is unreliably humane.

Vegans also object to treatment of dairy cows. Like chickens, dairy cows are killed when their productivity rates drop. Cows can live up to 25 years, but most dairy cows die after five. Male calves, which have no value to dairy farms, are quickly sold and slaughtered in veal farms.

Environmental Reasons

Some people become vegans for environmental reasons. Animal agriculture requires vast amounts of land and water to support livestock and grow feed. The land conversion needed for pastures and feed crops leads to deforestation, soil degradation and a decline in biodiversity. The water used by animal agriculture, mostly as irrigation for feed crops, accounts for 8 percent of global human water use [source: Livestock, Environment and Development Initiative].

Enormous crops of corn or grain also require pesticides and fertilizers. The nitrogen in fertilizers contributes to algal blooms and creates dead zones.

Animals themselves generate waste and pollution. Livestock produce 18 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions measured in CO2 equivalent -- that's more than transport! [Source: LEAD]

Methane, a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than CO2, makes up the majority of livestock emissions. Animal manure contaminates water and releases antibiotics that may increase the resistance of some bacteria.

Vegans also believe that their diet uses land more efficiently and responsibly than animal agriculture. If people ate only plant-based food, there would be no need for the swaths of pastures and feed crops that support livestock. Agriculture would produce food directly for human consumption and use less land. The proteins and vitamins from animal products do, however, help sustain much of the world's poor -- people who might not have the resources to create and monitor a total plant-based diet.

Health Reasons

Many vegans choose the diet purely for its health benefits. Although veganism requires supplements and professional consultation to meet dietary needs, most vegans can get all their nutrients without animal products. Vegan mainstay foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes are naturally low in fat and cholesterol and rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate and vitamins C and E. The American Dietetic Association reports that vegetarians and vegans have lower body mass indexes, blood pressure and cholesterol levels than nonvegetarians do. They also report decreased rates of type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension and heart disease [source: ADA].

In the next section, we'll learn about some of the controversies that surround veganism.

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Vegans choose their diet for a variety of reasons. Many abstain from animal products because they find factory farming cruel and inhumane. Others believe that animal agriculture destroys the environment. And some simply view veganism as a healthy diet -- one inherently low in fat, calories, and cholesterol and high in fiber and vitamins.

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BBC - Religions - Hinduism: Animal ethics

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Because Hinduism is a term that includes many different although related religious ideas, there is no clear single Hindu view on the right way to treat animals.

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Dairy Farm
Milk Production

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How vegan are you?

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Are you a vegan? Do you have the willpower to obstain from all animal products? If so than you pobably already know how vegan you are, but if you don't come test out just how vegan you may be!

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Exploring the Relationship Between Veganism and Religion

Back in July, a Herbie emailed me asking if I knew of any Bible quotes that supported veganism or a plant-based diet. I didn't know of verses off-hand, but thanks to a quick Google search, I found this website: Vegetarianism and the Bible.

Afterward, I started thinking about religion and veganism, and how I have friends of many different faiths and beliefs, many of which are vegan or vegetarian because of their faith, or they find the two go hand in hand. For example, when a friend of mine became Buddhist, he adopted a vegan diet, explaining he felt he had to be a vegan to be consistent with his beliefs. Similarly, another friend of mine was born and raised vegetarian because she is a Seventh Day Adventist.

I wondered if others, particularly others of different faiths and beliefs, found this same connection. I decided to ask the Herbies on Facebook
for their thoughts. I explained I was interested in writing a blog post that explored religion/spirituality and its relationship (if any) to their vegan lifestyle and/or plant-based dietary choices. I welcomed anyone to email me with their thoughts and opinions. Dozens of emails poured in, and I'm sharing their thoughts with you today.

Please note that I'm not advocating any one religion or even religion at all. I'm only sharing what some people in our community feel and believe, since this topic doesn't seem to be discussed elsewhere on the internet. This is also a question I get fairly often and I'm hoping this post can help answer some of those questions in greater detail.

I come from a family that is very religiously diverse (nearly every family member has a different faith or no faith at all) and our practice is to " love and respect" each other, even when we differ. I take that with me always.

Now, let's explore!

"Religion didn't play into the decision for me to move to a plant-based diet, but it did confirm to me the feeling that our bodies are made to perform perfectly without meat. (Biblically speaking, we were vegetarians until after the flood.)" - M. B.

"I'm a Seventh Day Adventist Christian, and the church as a whole promotes a plant-based vegetarian diet as the ideal based on it being with the original diet (check the book of Genesis). For more information, SDADA Facts." - M.P.

"I'm a Hindu - born and raised as one - but that's not why I changed to a plant-based lifestyle. My dad ate meat all his life. My mom has never eaten it once and I have family members at all ends of this spectrum. I'm the only one who has given up dairy products. We've always abstained from eating meat on certain days of the week, at religious ceremonies (weddings, births, religious holidays, etc.) but my religion didn't have anything to do with my giving up meat, or dairy, or oil (unless you call my health my religion)." - P.C.

"I feel that God blessed me with this body and I'm sure he wants me to take care of it. My diet and exercise routine helps me do that." - A.M.

"I'm not a follower of any religion, but eating animals and thoughts of them facing death or cruelty is harmful to my spirit and my conscience. No leader or dogma directed me to feel that way, though." - H.K.

"My mom is a fundamentalist Christian, but she's a vegetarian now. Some Christians like to use the God-gave-us-dominion-over-animals argument (a.k.a., "eat meat the way God intended" argument). There is a great book called Dominion by Matthew Sculley that addresses this - he's a vegan and a Christian. It's interesting. To me, veganism is a spiritual belief and it's part of my spiritual practice of non-harming. If people are offended by it, I try to be open, non-defensive and polite." - M. B.

"Although I've been Buddhist for years and was attracted to vegetarian/vegan diets for health reasons, it wasn't until my wife and I started to study Chan Buddhism that she switched dramatically, and very quickly, to a vegan diet. After a couple of months of my wife eating a vegan diet, I realized that her views on suffering were right, especially when I learned that dairy cows are the source of veal. Chan contemplation allowed me to see that it really isn't that hard to create a new set of habits that create less suffering... For me, it was a combination of understanding the environmental damage done by commercial animal agriculture, the suffering inflicted on the animals, the incredible health benefits of a plant based diet, and deep examination of the ethics of killing specifically for food in places where abundant plant based foods are available." - C.E.

"I never ascribed to any one religion before I became vegan. I suppose I was just agnostic. But veganism has become my religion...my set of ethics, beliefs, my service to my community (all the things religion IS)." - K.E.

" Although I don't follow veganism for religious reasons, the concept of veganism is more or less a religious concept to me. It's what I follow because it adheres to my ethical principles." - B.G.

"I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)... There is one specific revelation that addresses how the Lord would have his people eat: The Word of Wisdom, which is where the basis for a plant-based diet is found. I have found much deeper truths in this scripture as I have learned more about the food industry and food in general. We haven't been plant-based very long, but it's been amazing to see things come to pass in fulfillment of this scripture." - K. L.

"In summary, animal eating continues on both the old and new testament BUT it's not true that God made animals as a food source. I've hear many people say "God made animals for us to eat". My belief as a Christian is that God made us plant-based (his perfect will) and charged us to be guardians and stewards over the animal kingdom. But once sin entered and animals were being sacrificed as an atonement for sin, the meat eating shortly followed (His permissive will)." - S. S.

"The primary reason my wife and I remained vegan (after trying it for health reasons) was because of our ethical and religious beliefs. My wife and I are Mahayana Buddhists and Unitarian Universalists. One of the teachings of the Buddhist precepts is 'Do Not Kill.' The Buddha himself was not vegetarian and neither was his sangha, group of followers, but many Mahayana Buddhists today are vegetarian in observance of this precept. It has also been translated as 'Do no harm' or 'I undertake the training to do no harm'." - A. L.

" I didn't adopt veganism as a spirtual practice, but it has become that way as I've grown in my yoga practice and have become a teacher. I gravitate towards Jivamukti, and they are all about compassion/non violence (ahimsa) and the founders are vegans." - K.P.

"In the Old Testament, God gives man (Gen.1: 26-28) "dominion" over animals and tells man to "rule" the animals, but doesn't say eat them. He tells man what to eat next (Gen 1:29-30) "Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you, for all the wildlife of the earth, for every bird of the sky, and for every creature that crawls on the earth - everything having the breath of life in it. I have given every green plant for food." In my study, I learned many times over, what God calls meat we call plants, and what we call meat, God called "flesh". Once the flood happened and Noah and his family came upon dry land, God gave them permission to eat flesh (see Gen. 9) but only because all vegetation had died from the flood. At this time, the life expectancy went from 700 to 120. Proof that flesh will make us sick. So in looking at how God intended for us to eat, it is clear animal products were not involved. Only when sin became so rampant and God was going to destroy the world, did we have to eat flesh. We are no longer in Noah's situation....plant food abounds!" - B. H.

"Buddhism itself doesn't condemn eating animal products, such as the Theravada tradition, where monks accept whatever is offered to them in their alms bowl, even if it's meat. Tibetan Buddhism advocates a vegetarian lifestyle. Personally for me, I didn't feel comfortable eating other living things anymore... I went vegetarian for spiritual reasons and feel I'm getting a bonus in that I truly believe eating plant-based is the healthiest way to live. Buddhist beliefs and my health go hand in hand for this one." - H. W.

"I'm a Christian, and according to the New Testament of the Bible, diet has no moral implications - we are free to eat as we please and it is not a sin to eat animals. However, when studying the Bible, you see many instances of a plant-based diet as a HEALTHY way to eat and that ties into the NT commandment to, 'glorify God with your body.' From the aforementioned 'original diet' in the Garden of Eden before any death, all animals were herbivores, even those that now are carnivores. From there you see instances of plant-only diets or fasts, such as Ezekiel (hence, Ezekiel bread), who ate nothing but his bread for 390 days. And Daniel, who, along with his companions, chose to eat vegetables and water instead of the king's "choice food and wine," and the king noted their appearance was better than those who ate of his choice food. So while my faith doesn't give me moral issues with what I choose to eat, it reinforces the healthy choices. They are not completely separate, as my faith in some way influences much of my life." - D.S.

"I have always been an atheist, but veganism has become as close to a religion as I will ever get. It is a strong ethical foundation from which I make all of my decisions." - L. B.

"I am Unitarian Universalist, and the denomination decided a couple of years ago to make ethical eating a social justice study issue. We agree to uphold seven principles, the seventh of which is 'respect for the interdependent web of life.' It's often interpreted as respect for the environment, but some, including myself, take it further to mean that everything is connected and that my behavior is not in a vacuum. I might have the 'right' to eat badly as many Americans insist, but my choices do affect others when it comes to the environmental cost of a meat and dairy heavy diet, as well as health care costs that get borne by everyone." - J. F.

"Buddhist and vegan. But, it seems to me, whether one becomes plant-based for ethical reasons, health-supporting reasons, environmental reasons, religious reasons - one intention, inevitably and inadvertently supports the other. In other words, whatever the motivation, good comes of it!" - S. R.

"I did not go plant-based for any reason other than health; HOWEVER, when I did, I was confronted by several in my church who felt I was putting myself in spiritual danger. I was told I would open myself up to spiritual attack and that I would be 'too weak to battle,' and that I was entering a false religion based in New Age. I am part of a very popular Christian, evangelical church. I was very shocked at the reactions I got. On the flip side, I have gotten a real understanding of how God intended for us to eat when He created us. I feel closer to Him in many ways." - H. B.

" I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) but haven't practiced in over 11 years. However, if Mormons followed the Word of Wisdom to the letter, they would be very close to Vegan. See Doctrine & Covenants 89."

"Coming from a Pagan perspective, which has no central doctrine but has adopted a number of different phrases to describe the practice (in a very general and/or a Wiccan-based way), I've personally taken on "An' it harm none, do as ye will", the very common Wiccan Rede, as a reason to take on a vegetarian diet. It wasn't the initial reason why I became vegetarian, but was adopted later on." - S. F.

"I was raised as an observant Jew keeping kosher laws. Those laws require humane ritual slaughter of kosher animals only (i.e. cows, chickens, turkey, certain fish) - most animals are not considered kosher. In fact, if an animal is mistreated before slaughter it is technically not considered kosher. I became vegetarian in 2008 when a kosher slaughtering house in Iowa was abusing its immigrant workers and animals. I was devastated. By definition kosher meant humane to me. I am sure other kosher slaughtering houses strictly follow all the kosher laws including the ethical treatment of both employees and animals but I felt burned. I became vegetarian and then vegan two years later, for my health. As time has passed I have definitely felt more spiritual and closer to the real roots of Judaism, before the flood, as others have mentioned in their posts. I invite our friends to our home for Jewish holidays and serve entirely vegan meals. They have all remarked to me how light and clean they feel after eating at my home. To me that is a form of spirituality." - C.

Daniel 1:11-16 was also quoted several times over to me, plus Gen 1:29-30 and Gen 1: 26-28.

Lastly, I welcome continued discussion in the comment section, but please remember - love and respect :)

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Exploring the Relationship Between Veganism and Religion

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Back in July, a Herbie emailed me asking if I knew of any Bible quotes that supported veganism or a plant-based diet. I didn't know of verses off-hand, but thanks to a quick Google search, I found this website: Vegetarianism and the Bible.

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On dairy farms, calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth so that the milk nature intended for them can instead be consumed by humans.

Thus, apart from the potential biological diseases brought by cow’s milk, soya-bean milk can provide us with the same nutrition as milk does. We are the only species on this planet that willingly drinks another species milk. And because we drink a cow’s milk, the dairy industry exists.

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As veganism becomes more mainstream and the amount of products on offer grows, the question is no longer "why are you vegan?" but "why aren't you vegan?".

Vegans don't consume any animal products, while also ditching leather, fur and silk.

Here are a few of the many reasons that people are going vegan faster than you can say "pass me the fakin' bacon".

A meaty fry-up can be carcinogenic

A report just released by the World Health Organization warns that processed meats rank alongside cigarettes as a major cause of cancer.

According to the findings, 50g of processed meat a day - the equivalent of one sausage or less than two slices of bacon - increases the chance of developing bowel cancer by 18 per cent.

It's the best way to help animals

There is simply no better way to help animals and prevent their suffering than by going vegan. In many industrial farms, animals are kept in cramped conditions, and will never raise families, forage for food or do anything else that is natural and important to them.

Most won't even get to feel the warmth of the sun on their backs or breathe fresh air until the day they are loaded onto lorries headed for the slaughter house.

We are not baby cows

Cows produce milk for the same reason that humans do - to feed their babies. However, on dairy farms, calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth so that the milk nature intended for them can instead be consumed by humans.

It would actually be more natural for any adult still drinking milk to drink human breast milk - if that thought turns your stomach, so should the thought of drinking cows' milk.

It helps prevent heart disease

Eating foods loaded with animal fats is literally killing us. Coronary heart disease, which is linked to a meat-based diet, is the leading cause of death in the UK. On average, 224 people die of heart disease in this country each day.

The good news is that we can help prevent the majority of cardiovascular diseases simply by adopting a plant-based diet.

Animal agriculture is killing the planet

Forget energy-efficient light bulbs or hybrid cars - the best thing we can do to help the environment is to stop eating animal flesh. Meat production is a leading cause of climate change, water depletion, soil erosion and most other environmental problems, according to United Nations scientists.

Eating vegetables and grains directly, instead of funnelling them through animals, also uses far less land and water, which is why the UN has said that a global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from the worst effects of climate change.

Vegan food is flippin' delicious

Think that going vegan means you'll have to give up hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and ice cream? Think again.

As the demand for vegan food skyrockets, companies are coming out with more and more delicious vegan meat and non-dairy foods which have all the taste of the real stuff but none of the cholesterol or cruelty.
Mimi Bekhechi is the Director of PETA UK Click here to order your free vegan starter kit
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As veganism becomes more mainstream and the amount of products on offer grows, the question is no longer "why are you vegan?" but "why aren't you vegan?". Vegans don't consume any animal products, while also ditching leather, fur and silk.

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From our mood to our immune system, the vegan lifestyle provides us with a vast array of health perks.

Holistic health specialist, nutritionist, raw chef and life coach Geeta Sidhu-Robb shares her top health benefits of following a vegan diet.
1. Nutritional value
Several studies have reported that vegan diets, when followed correctly, tend to contain more fibre, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. Vegan diets are packed full of essential nutrients, but in the absence of meat, it is vitally important that we make sure we are still consuming all of the correct amounts of proteins in other forms.

Protein is made up of small parts called amino acids, which aid your metabolism and help to keep you muscles, skin and organs healthy. Vegan options include nuts, peanut butter, seeds, grains and legumes.

Iron is another key nutrient and plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells which help to carry oxygen throughout your body. Good sources include or iron includes beans, broccoli, raisins, wheat and tofu.
2. Our moods
Research has revealed that vegans may be happier than their meat-eating counterparts. In fact it was discovered that vegans and vegetarians had lower scores on depression tests and mood profiles when compared to fish and meat-eaters. There is an element of freshness to most plant based dishes, especially when it comes to organic produce - so this is bound to purify our minds and keep our thoughts positive.

The best vegan dishes in London

3. Disease prevention
Due to the fact that they contain fewer saturated fats, vegan diets have been shown to reduce heart disease risk and what's more, data shows conclusively that vegans and vegetarians suffer from fewer diseases caused by a modern Western diet (e.g. coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity type 2 diabetes, diet-related cancers, diverticulitis, constipation, and gall stones, among several others).

Why? This can be attributed to a higher intake of fibre, phytonutrients, antioxidants, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Foodborne illnesses, bacteria, parasites, and chemical toxins are more common in commercial meat, poultry, and seafood when compared with plant foods, (particularly organic fruits and vegetables). Vegans also consume less processed food as a rule.
4. ​​Fewer migraines
As well as playing its role in reducing the risks of certain diseases, the vegan diet can also help to reduce the onset of migraine attacks. Migraines are often linked to our diets and food is a common trigger. Foods like chocolate and cheese are also common culprits. Vegan diets, especially organic ones are much purer and much less likely to be triggers for an attack.
5. Weight loss
A bonus to sticking to a vegan diet is the positive effect it has on our figure. Vegans typically weigh less as a result of a diet comprised of fewer calories in the form of grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Vegans are also generally more aware of healthy food and therefore tend to eat better. Plant foods tend to be easier on your digestion too.
6. Improving athletic performance
While most active individuals focus on protein intake, more and more athletes follow a high-carbohydrate, good-fat, and vitamin and mineral-rich vegetarian diet for optimum sports performance. Conflicting studies exist, but the number of world-class vegetarian sportsmen continues to rise, world tennis stars and sisters Venus and Serena Williams for example, announced they were going vegan in 2011.
7. Our skin
Vegans tend to have better vision and less macular degeneration - all that extra vitamin c and consequent collagen leads to much better skin.
8. Protecting the environment
A plant-based diet is better for the planet as it requires much less energy and farmland to feed a vegan. The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment- from crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farm to fork. The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. Protecting the environment is beneficial to us all.

9. Balancing hormones ​

Hormones such as oestrogen can be responsible for causing breast cancer if levels become too excessive. A New York study found levels of oestrogen can be increased by animal fats. Vegans have significantly lower oestrogen levels than non-vegans, in part because of the lower fat content of their diet. In addition, they have more of certain carrier molecules, called sex hormone binding globulin, which circulate in the blood and have the job of holding onto sex hormones- keeping them inactive until they are needed. Fatty foods do the reverse: they increase oestrogen.

Vegans have been found to enjoy longer and healthier lives when compared to meat-eaters.

Five-day vegan diet plan
Monday

Breakfast: Fresh Fruit and Porridge with nuts

Lunch: Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad (or with Rye bread to make sandwich)

Dinner: Baked sweet potatoes with med veggies

Tuesday

Breakfast: Mango, Banana and Spirulina Smoothie

Lunch: Pesto, avocado and spinach sandwich

Dinner: Rice, bean and kale bowl with soy sauce Tahini Dressing

Wednesday

Breakfast: Buckwheat pancakes with apple and cinnamon

Lunch: Rice Noodle Bowl, shredded carrots & ginger with peanut dressing

Dinner: Kidney bean, corn and rocket salad

Thursday

Breakfast: Tofu and Turmeric scramble

Lunch: Roasted Mediterranean Veg & Quinoa salad

Dinner: Chickpea flour and tomato omelette with a green salad

Friday

Breakfast: Polenta with grilled tomatoes

Lunch: Butter Bean Salad with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes

Dinner: Coconut curry

Geeta Sidhu-Robb, is the founder and CEO of Nosh Detox develops food and juice programmes that address a multitude of health and well-being issues, from treating problem skin, to weight issues, digestive problems to coping with stress and building the body's natural defences to fight infections.

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10 life-changing health benefits of being a vegan

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From our mood to our immune system, the vegan lifestyle provides us with a vast array of health perks. Holistic health specialist, nutritionist, raw chef and life coach Geeta Sidhu-Robb shares her top health benefits of following a vegan diet. 1. Nutritional value

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One should not judge the purity or impurity of man simply by observing what he eats.

In the Amagandha Sutta, the Buddha said:

'Neither meat, nor fasting, nor nakedness,
Nor shaven heads, nor matted hair, nor dirt,
Nor rough skins, nor fire-worshipping,
Nor all the penances here in this world,
Nor hymns, nor oblation, nor sacrifice,
Nor feasts of the season,
Will purify a man overcome with doubt.'

Taking fish and meat by itself does not make a man become impure. A man makes himself impure by bigotry, deceit, envy, self-exaltation, disparagement and other evil intentions. Through his own evil thoughts and actions, man makes himself impure. There is no strict rule in Buddhism that the followers of the Buddha should not take fish and meat. The only advice given by the Buddha is that they should not be involved in killing intentionally or they should not ask others to kill any living being for them. However, those who take vegetable food and abstain from animal flesh are praiseworthy.

Though the Buddha did not advocate vegetarianism for the monks, He did advise the monks to avoid taking ten kinds of meat for their self respect and protection. They are: humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, leopards, bears hyenas. Some animals attack people when they smell the flesh of their own kind. ( Vinaya Pitaka)

When the Buddha was asked to introduce vegetarianism amongst His disciples, the Buddha refused to do so. As Buddhism is a free religion, His advice was to leave the decision regarding vegetarianism to the individual disciple. It clearly shows that the Buddha had not considered this as a very important religious observance. The Buddha did not mention anything about vegetarianism for the lay Buddhists in His Teaching.

Jivaka Komarabhacca, the doctor, discussed this controversial issue with the Buddha: 'Lord, I have heard that animals are slaughtered on purpose for the recluse Gotama, and that the recluse Gotama knowingly eats the meat killed on purpose for him. Lord, do those who say animals are slaughtered on purpose for the recluse Gotama, and the recluse Gotama knowingly eats the meat killed on purpose for. Do they falsely accuse the Buddha? Or do they speak the truth? Are your declaration and supplementary declarations not thus subject to be ridiculed by others in any manner?'

'Jivaka, those who say: 'Animals are slaughtered on purpose for the recluse Gotama, and the recluse Gotama knowingly eats the meat killed on purpose for him', do not say according to what I have declared, and they falsely accuse me. Jivaka, I have declared that one should not make use of meat it is seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk. I allow the monks meat that is quite pure in three respects: if it is not seen, heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk.' (Jivaka Sutta)

In certain countries, the followers of the Mahayana school of Buddhism are strict vegetarians. While appreciating their observance in the name of religion, we should like to point out that they should not condemn those who are not vegetarians. They must remember that there is no precept in the original Teachings of the Buddha that requires all Buddhists to be vegetarians. We must realize that Buddhism is known as the Middle Path. It is a liberal religion and the Buddha's advice was that it is not necessary to go to extremes to practise His Teachings.

Vegetarianism alone does not help a man to cultivate his humane qualities. There are kind, humble, polite and religious people amongst non-vegetarians. Therefore, one should not condone the statement that a pure, religious man must practise vegetarianism.

On the other hand, if anybody thinks that people cannot have a healthy life without taking fish and meat, it does not necessarily follow that they are correct since there are millions of pure vegetarians all over the world who are stronger and healthier than the meat-eaters.

People who criticize Buddhists who eat meat do not understand the Buddhist attitude towards food. A living being needs nourishment. We eat to live. As such a human being should supply his body with the food it needs to keep him healthy and to give him energy to work. However, as a result of increasing wealth, more and more people, especially in developed countries, eat simply to satisfy their palates. If one craves after any kind of food, or kills to satisfy his greed for meat, this is wrong. But if one eats without greed and without directly being involved in the act of killing but merely to sustain the physical body, he is practising self restraint.

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One should not judge the purity or impurity of man simply by observing what he eats. In the Amagandha Sutta, the Buddha said: 'Neither meat, nor fasting, nor nakedness, Nor shaven heads, nor matted hair, nor dirt, Nor rough skins, nor fire-worshipping, Nor all the penances here in this world, Nor hymns, nor oblation, nor sacrifice, Nor feasts of the season, Will purify a man overcome with doubt.'

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A non-graphic short film about why Veganism is the right thing to do.

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Explore why veganism is kinder to animals, to people and to our planet's future