Philosophical Vegan Forum

I have been an atheist since I was 16 and a vegan for about 8 months. Even though I have been a vegan for a short time I honestly have felt a lot better. Not to mention that I have lost about 30 pounds and am now 180 pounds. I have been eating vegan versions of animal products that I used to eat. The best part about being vegan is that I can eat a lot more and still loose weight.

Before I was an atheist I really didn't follow any religion I just was taught that there was a god. My family didn't push the bible or some other holly book on to me as a child and they have been vary supportive of my choices. But, recently my mom has started to follow the bible and has attempted to "Save me" once. She still seems to try and change my mind by telling me stories of miracles but, they are just stories. I haven't nor will I try to change her mind it is something she needs to decide herself.

I do however try to change my family's mind about eating meat by making vegan versions of their favorite animal products. I try to change their mind of eating meat because it is hurting someone else unlike believing in a religion. They still use the same selfish excuse of "I like the taste of meat". I wont say anything even though I feel like that is the worst reason to have for eating meat. My brother's wife has a unique excuse that from trying to go vegetarian and not getting enough nutriments she now has to eat meat cause her body needs more nutrients. Which just sounds weird. Even though I am the only vegan in a house of six I still try and not burst into a large discussion of why eating meat is immoral. I don't know that many vegans only one vegetarian and that is one of the reason why I joined this forum.

Welcome to the forum, _Doc.

_Doc wrote:They still use the same selfish excuse of "I like the taste of meat". I won't say anything even though I feel like that is the worst reason to have for eating meat.

This is the most common excuse used by nonvegans to continue their irrational, self-destructive habits. I can't help but lose a little respect for otherwise rational people who use it, because they're choosing not to think critically about ethical issues when doing so is inconvenient to them.

_Doc wrote:My brother's wife has a unique excuse that from trying to go vegetarian and not getting enough nutrients she now has to eat meat cause her body needs more nutrients.

Unique? I'd say that this is a very common excuse. "I tried going vegan, and my own vegan diet didn't satisfy me, so therefore it's impossible for any vegan diet to work out for me; despite the fact that I never bother to ask an experienced vegan for advice."

The notion that some people cannot be healthy on a vegan diet* is not a scientific one. It's a baseless assertion that "vegan diets aren't for everyone". Some nonvegans will say (about a vegan diet) that "one size doesn't fit all", but that's not what a vegan diet is. Rather, it's "many sizes fit all."

Did you ask her what specific nutrients she cannot get from a vegan diet? If she can't describe what the "special-magical-something" is that only exists within meat, then perhaps she'll realize how embarrassingly obvious it is that she actually eats meat for purely emotional reasons.

_Doc wrote: I don't know that many vegans only one vegetarian and that is one of the reason why I joined this forum.

Same here, I hope that this forum can be the supportive community that you're looking for.

* http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12778049

Welcome _Doc, I'm glad you found us!

_Doc wrote:I haven't nor will I try to change her mind it is something she needs to decide herself.

I would, but probably only when she tries to convert you, so there's a fair exchange there. I tend to not bother theists unless they bring it up, or unless they use it as an excuse for doing something unethical, like "God gave man animals to eat".

_Doc wrote:I do however try to change my family's mind about eating meat by making vegan versions of their favorite animal products.

Food outreach, that's great!
Are you pretty into cooking?

_Doc wrote:My brother's wife has a unique excuse that from trying to go vegetarian and not getting enough nutriments she now has to eat meat cause her body needs more nutrients. Which just sounds weird.

Yeah, that's nonsense. Did she give any medical explanation, or reference any particular nutrient?

Some people, when they eat vegan, do get malnourished because they rely on junk food, or too many starches like rice or sugary foods like fruit that don't have much protein. Doing it right from a nutritional standpoint is all about eating lots of bean and vegetable products, and moderating more empty calorie sources.

by ArmouredAbolitionist
Did you ask her what specific nutrients she cannot get from a vegan diet?

by brimstoneSalad
Yeah, that's nonsense. Did she give any medical explanation, or reference any particular nutrient?

She has potassium deficiency and is Hyperglycemic.

by brimstoneSalad
Food outreach, that's great! Are you pretty into cooking?

Yes, I love cooking. Especially when I amaze myself with something that tastes like chicken but is completely vegan.