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Nowadays, to become a vegan does not mean to reduce the use of meat products and demonstrate the recognition of animal rights for life. In modern society, the promotion of veganism is a trend that requires considerable changes and ethical principles. Compared to vegetarians who do not eat meat, fish, or poultry, vegans have to exclude all products of animal origin, including eggs, honey, milk (and other dairy products), silk, wool, and fur (Frey 1263). Regarding such strict rules, veganism becomes a lifestyle under which people do not visit zoos, circus, and other places where animal exploitation is explained as a part of human amusement (Frey 1263). Becoming a vegan is a serious issue for discussion in many countries, and the United States is interested in this practice. However, veganism has positive and negative outcomes, and this essay will focus on both aspects. Americans may adopt a vegan lifestyle, pursuing the advantages to health, self-control, and the environment, but such disadvantages as the loss of critical vitamins, the importance of change, and complex expectations cannot be ignored.
Public attention to media and cultural representation of veganism determines the desire to accept this lifestyle on a regular basis in the United States. According to Buttny and Kinefuchi, people should take animal ethics and rights seriously and protect all sentient creatures on Earth (569). As cited in Doyle, at the beginning of the 2000s, vegans and vegetarians constituted approximately 5% of the American population (779). Today, the number continues to grow: about eight million American adults are vegetarians, and 3.4 million of these call themselves vegans (Frey 1264). The first transformations from omnivores to vegetarians were reported after World War II as a result of compassion for animals and the environment. With time, religious issues and ethical standards were combined to prove the necessity of not eating animals and consider the possibility of eating plant food only. Butter could be substituted with coconut oil, and soy milk with lemon juice is as effective as buttermilk (Frey 1266). People find it normal to share their observations and results connected to the vegan diet on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sources to expand the chosen concept.
A vegan diet is characterized by a number of advantages to human health, lifestyle, and the environment. Following the recommendations of dieticians and doctors, many celebrities choose veganism as a way to improve their lives. For example, a Hollywood actress, Alicia Silverstone, has been promoting her compassionate vegan philosophy since 1995 to underline its benefits in regard to emotional well-being, human relationships, and even parenting (Doyle 782). Not eating meat may also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, which are the possible triggers of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Millions of Americans need to improve their health and reduce weight-related problems, and veganism could be a solution for some people. Besides, this lifestyle promotes self-control and management to improve social behaviors and daily routines. Finally, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are closely related to the meat and dairy industries (Buttny and Kinefuchi 569). The reduction of harmful agricultural production could protect the environment and improve the quality of life in the United States.
At the same time, a vegan diet has certain disadvantages associated with physical and mental health, and professional recommendations should be mentioned in the discussion. Many vegans consider their preferred lifestyle as a social change in personal and collective identity (as cited in Buttny and Kinefuchi 569). To be a vegan means to reject all meat and dairy products, either directly or indirectly. Thus, it happens that individuals experience hostile attitudes from their families and friends, cannot participate in local traditions, and limit their interactions to vegan communities only (Doyle 780). In addition, any healthcare provider informs that the lack of meat, fish, or dairy products leads to the lack of vitamins in the body, including such elements as calcium, cobalamin, and phosphate. Finally, even being aware of the pros and cons of veganism, Americans must be careful with their expectations. This diet does not give 100% guarantees that no heart diseases or diabetes bother people. Many vegans are diagnosed with serious diseases that require treatment in contrast to their ethical principles. Therefore, critical decisions and evaluations have to be made with time.
In general, the idea of becoming vegans for Americans is not new, but the investigation of its positive and negative outcomes continues. A number of studies have already been developed to provide the population with a clear picture of how veganism could change human life. On the one hand, people enjoy the possibility to reduce their cholesterol, predict obesity, improve their lifestyle, and save the environment. On the other hand, veganism solely cannot remove all health, social, or climate problems from American society. Today, veganism is a voluntary practice, and individuals are free to make their choices, relying on their interests and health characteristics. Therefore, considering the pros and cons of a vegan lifestyle, it is normal to keep a neutral position and understand why veganism may be adopted in the United States.
Works Cited
Buttny, Richard, and Etsuko Kinefuchi. Vegans Problem Stories: Negotiating Vegan Identity in Dealing with Omnivores. Discourse & Society, vol. 31, no. 6, 2020, pp. 565-583.
Doyle, Julie. Celebrity Vegans and the Lifestyling of Ethical Consumption. Environmental Communication, vol. 10, no. 6, 2016, pp. 777-790.
Frey, Rebecca J. Veganism. The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets, edited by Deirdre S. Hiam, 3rd ed., vol. 2, Gale Health and Wellness, 2019, pp. 1263-1269.
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