Ask a Vegan: Answers to the 20 Most Common Questions for a Vegan

Have you ever read about the popularity of vegan diets and then become consumed with questions of “why?” and “how?”

Have you ever considered a vegan diet for yourself but you have no one to ask those pertinent questions?

Does the only information that you’ve received about vegans come from YouTube parody videos?

If you’re lacking a vegan buddy and you want to know more about veganism, we’re here to help.

Let’s review 20 of the most popular and common questions for a vegan that you’ve always wanted to know the answers to.

20. IS IT HARD TO BE A VEGAN?

That all depends on how you look at it.

It’s all a matter of mindset and motivation.

Is it difficult to exercise for better health? Is it difficult to visit your in-laws on holidays? Is it difficult to stop binge watching shows on NetFlix?

All these things are difficult but it’s how you approach each situation that makes it seem difficult or easy.

Giving up a way of living, such as when you stop eating meat, may seem difficult at first but all positive change is a little challenging in the beginning.

Your body and mind are making a transition. Like any successful vegan will tell you, once you get over those first few weeks, it just becomes habit.

19. IS BEING A VEGAN HEALTHY?

Despite the hilarious exaggeration in the media, being a vegan isn’t just healthy, it never gets boring. You always have new foods to try that are inexpensive, flavorful, and… nutritious!

A vegan diet is based around the consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, lentils, seeds, nuts, sprouts, and super foods.

Not only does this provide you with a seemingly endless variety of foods to try but you are also supporting your health in a big way.

Studies have shown time and time again that a plant-based diet is extremely effective in helping to significantly decrease cardiovascular risk factors along with promoting overall longevity.

You may have to take a supplement for Vitamin B12 but that’s the worst thing about a vegan diet.

18. ISN’T IT EXPENSIVE TO BE A VEGAN?

In short: The vegan diet is no more expensive than a traditional meat-eating diet.

Stand for what is right. Even if it means standing alone.

However, if you plan your meals ahead of time, shop for deals, and avoid “rare” and expensive super foods, you’ll end up spending less than you were before on that same traditional diet.

Any diet can be expensive. It all depends on what you’re buying and where you’re buying it from.

Think about it: If you follow a diet that allows meat, aren’t there stores that you visit because the price is less?

The same goes for being a vegan: It’s all a matter of spending some time finding the cheapest stores that offer high quality produce.

When you shop smart, any diet can be cost efficient… It’s just a lot easier when you’re on a vegan diet because meat is far more expensive than produce.

17. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR PROTEIN?

You will be amazed when you find out how much vegan protein is in plant-based food. For some reason, most people think that they can only get protein from animal-based sources.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Plant-based foods are packed with more than enough vegan protein to ensure you reach your personal daily needs.

Even if you have no intention of becoming a vegan, it’s worth considering substituting some of your animal-based meals with plant-based ones because of the nutritional benefits and high macronutrient profiles.

16. I LOVE THE TASTE OF MEAT; THEREFORE I COULD NEVER BE A VEGAN.

Sure, we get it: Hamburgers taste great. Salmon is delicious. Who said that vegan food wasn’t tasty as well? For some reason, the general public has a disconnect with the idea of a vegan diet and flavor.

A vegan diet is one of themost flavorful types of diets. Why? The variety of vegan food choices is immense!

When you have a hamburger or a pork chop, it will always have the same taste. With vegan dishes, the ability to try new flavors is overwhelming.

What’s more, you know that there are vegan products available, which mimic the taste of chicken, beef, and pork, right? If it’s the “taste” of the meat you’ll miss and nothing else, a vegan diet has you covered.

15. ISN’T IT NATURAL TO EAT MEAT? AREN’T WE DESIGNED TO EAT MEAT?

Some researchers believe that any meat that was eaten by our ancestors may have been the leftovers of what a carnivore, higher in the food chain, left behind.

One fact is clear about humans eating meat: Our bodies have yet to evolve to properly ingest and assimilate meat.

This is why chronic meat eaters tend to have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. True carnivores can consume a complete meat-focused diet and not have disease as a result.

What are our bodies designed to do? Our bodies are perfect for picking ripe produce from trees and the ground. Coincidence?

14. ANIMALS WOULD OVERRUN US IF WE DON’T EAT THEM!

Think about it: We don’t eat dozens of other animals and those animals have yet to take over the world. Also, it’s important to consider the capability of cows and chickens.

Do they really look like a species that could do much, even if they had the numbers?

Now, if the world was being overrun by every predator in the animal kingdom such as lions, tigers, and sharks, we might have a problem.

Speaking of animal predators, the natural ecosystem has its own checks and balances system. Small fish get eaten by bigger fish or over animals such as bear.

Let’s not forget that we are the ones mass producing these animals. If we let things be, their natural numbers would never become problematic to our population.

13. ANIMALS WOULD DIE OUT IF WE DON’T EAT THEM!

Yes, while cows and chickens are being bred domestically to satisfy our food supply, that doesn’t mean they would die out if we stopped breeding them for consumption purposes.

First, there are several species of wild cow, which proves that cows are able to successfully live in the wild and maintain their population.

Same goes for chickens. Feral chickens and red junglefowl are two such examples that live in the wild.

Trust us, you do not want to try to catch one for your dinner because, unlike domesticated chickens, these birds will put up quite a fight.

The only risk to wild cows and wild chickens isn’t animal predators; rather, it’s still humans due to hunting.

Still, without human intervention, this proves that animals will be just fine if left to do what they were meant to.

12. YOU DON’T HAVE TO KILL ANIMALS TO GET DAIRY AND EGGS. WHAT’S WONG WITH THOSE PRODUCTS?

It’s true that you don’t have to kill cows to get milk or chickens to get eggs. However, that doesn’t mean those animals are enjoying the process of getting said milk and eggs.

In the last decade, mainstream media has blown the lid off of the agricultural industry, exposing it and the lack of regard for animal welfare.

Aside from being an animal product, dairy and eggs are products of exploitation.

The vast majority of cows and chickens live in less than desirable conditions where they do not receive proper space for exercise or sunlight.

Character is how you treat someone who can do nothing for you.

This cruel exploitation of the animals is what makes dairy and eggs unacceptable in a vegan diet.

11. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON DESERTED ISLAND, WOULD YOU EAT MEAT?

Rarely do those small islands have a thriving animal community for you to take your fill of. What islands are more likely to have is a collection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Let’s say that the island you wound up on did have animals. There’s a slim chance that there would be enough animals to allow you to live solely on meat. Another thing to consider is how would you keep the meat from spoiling?

Not only is it more likely that vegetables and fruits would be far more abundant but this island vegan diet would ensure there is no need to worry about storage.

Obviously, in the worst-case scenario where survival was on the line, I’m sure a vegan would choose to eat meat but think about this: what takes more energy to do?

Picking vegetables and fruits or hunting a wild animal? If you have a vegan diet at your disposal, why risk getting bitten or gored by a wild animal?

10. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT IT’S OKAY TO EAT ANIMALS.

The Bible says a lot of things but that doesn’t mean they make much sense or should be held as the gospel truth.

For example, in Leviticus 19:19, the Bible says that man shouldn’t wear clothing from two different types of material. Now-a-days, those of us unknowingly wearing a cotton-polyester blend shirt are in trouble.

Yes, it does mention in the Bible that animals are to be used by man as we wish; however, the Bible also prohibits specific types of meat and certain cuts of meat. So not all meat is fair game.

Let’s not forget about one of the most important laws of the Bible: The Golden Rule. In Luke 6:31, the Bible says,

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Golden Rule

Since animals are living, breathing things with consciousness, shouldn’t this rule also apply to them?

9. ISN’T IT BORING TO EAT SALAD ALL THE TIME?

How is the salad for breakfast, lunch, and dinner concept still a thing?

If you want to see the types of meals that vegans eat, stop in your local vegan restaurant. You will not believe how much variety and flavor a vegan diet can provide you.

Vegans don’t eat salad all the time. They mix it up with dozens of vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, super foods, sprouts, etc.

The list looks endless and you’ll be busy for a long time trying out new recipes.

8. HOW DO I ACCOMMODATE A VEGAN WHEN I ENTERTAIN?

You entertain a vegan house guest the way you entertain any house guest.

Aside from not eating meat or animal products, a vegan is coming to the party for the same reason everyone else is: to have fun!

If you’re having a get together, you’re most likely going to get a veggie tray anyway. Another option would be to simply order from a local vegan restaurant.

Your vegan friend will really appreciate the extra effort.

7. I ONLY EAT ORGANIC AND FREE-RANGE FISH, CHICKEN, AND DAIRY: IS THAT OKAY?

Sure, it’s better when you are eating certified organic and free-range animal products but it still isn’t ideal.

The animal is still being killed or exploited to provide you with a meal.

What’s more, the majority of items marked as “free-range” are far from what you’d expect. You may envision a chicken or cow prancing freely in a wide-open field with sunshine but that is rarely the case.

The requirements to get that free-range stamp on the product are minimal. Animals can still be confined in small cages that are unsuitable for living creatures.

The free-range stamp is usually more for marketing purposes that allow producers the ability to justify the hiked-up price.

What’s more, even if you are eating truly free-range and organic chicken, fish, and animal products, there’s still the issue with greenhouse gas emissions and environmental destruction.

6. I DON’T MIND YOU BEING VEGAN, BUT YOU SHOULDN’T TRY TO IMPOSE YOUR VIEWS ON OTHER PEOPLE.

Hey, we completely agree. We don’t like it either when people try to push their agenda on us regardless of the topic.

Despite the stereotype and what you may see on YouTube parody videos, the majority of vegans don’t bother saying much about their lifestyle unless the situation calls for it.

For example, when you go out to a non-vegan restaurant with a vegan, naturally, they are going to have to ask questions about the food to the waiter.

This doesn’t mean they are pushing their agenda on you or anyone else. It just means they are ordering food.

Sure, some vegans get pushy with their ideology; however, you’ll find that everywhere!

Whether it’s a religious person pushing their religion on you or a fitness guru pushing the paleo diet on you, it doesn’t matter. You’ll always run into these types of people.

5. WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL ONE PERSON GIVING UP MEAT MAKE?

That isn’t the right question to be asking. The right question to ask yourself is,

“What type of impact would it have if most (if not all) people stopped eating meat?”

Significant change occurs in big numbers. By eliminating the meat industry and, consequently, meat products from the diet of most people, you’re looking at a monumental global change on a number of levels.

First, global health would dramatically improve. The number of preventable, lifestyle-based deaths would plummet. People overall would feel healthier and happier.

Second, the environment would be able to heal itself from all of the destruction caused by the meat industry. You’re looking at far less pollution and a lot less greenhouse gas emissions.

Lastly, we could realistically feed the world. The amount of grain that is being wasted just to feed slaughterhouse animals could be used to feed impoverished nations, thereby raising the standards of living for those places.

Real change is possible by following a vegan-based diet on a global scale.

4. WHY DO VEGANS ALWAYS LOOK ILL?

The stereotype that all vegans look like zombies or they always look sick is a played-out misconception.

Sure, there may be some extreme sects of veganism that follow a very bare bones way of living, but it’s important to not focus on the extremes.

Like with any lifestyle or religion, the extreme examples get the most attention but never represent the whole.

The majority of vegans are happy and healthy and they actually look happy and healthy.

The nutrition that vegans get on a daily basis is packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. All the nutrients you need to look like a human and not a zombie.

3. IF EVERYONE WENT VEGAN, WOULDN’T FARMERS AND SLAUGHTERHOUSE WORKERS LOSE THEIR JOBS?

Here’s the thing about that: Everything is bound to change eventually and with change comes transition.

Thankfully for farmers and agricultural industry workers, the change won’t be as drastic. Humans will still need food, right?

It’s a matter of shifting from one sect of the agricultural industry to another in order to meet the demand. We do it all the time. If there’s a popular cash crop, farmers uproot one crop and replace with the cash crop. 

Yes, there will be people who will lose their jobs and require additional education and job training.

That is where Big Government can help. By offering subsidies and incentives to farmers and agricultural workers to take up a new (or very similar) career choice, the transition will be as smooth as possible.

Some people may have to go through a short term set back so that the future of the planet can have long term benefits.

2. DON’T PLANTS FEEL PAIN TOO?

Plants have the ability to move or grow towards sunlight but this doesn’t demonstrate a plant’s ability to feel pain. As of today, no scientifically valid, peer-reviewed study has ever confirmed that plants feel pain.

However, we still have plenty to learn about plants so let’s not take everything off the table just yet.

Still, it’s important to remember that there’s a huge difference between cutting up a piece of produce versus killing an animal.

1. ISN’T HUNTING NECESSARY TO PROTECT OTHER WILDLIFE AND PREVENT OVERPOPULATION?

Not at all. Remember above how we talked about that checks and balances system? The natural predators help to keep population levels in check.

When you hear about the overpopulation of a certain, it’s usually caused by humans.

Take deer, for example, there have been a number of cases where predators were allowed to be killed to allow the deer population to grow.

The result of killing natural predators is an explosion in the population of the prey animal. There’s no need to hunt animals to keep their numbers in check. Nature takes care of that.

CONCLUSION

We get it: There’s a lot to know and understand about the vegan lifestyle but it’s not as complicated as you might think.

If you’re considering making the switch to a vegan diet, that’s great!

Lucky for you, there are plenty of people out there, who are willing to help you get set on your way.

If you’ve never tried a vegan diet before, check out our article on the 12 most popular vegan diets. There’s sure to be a vegan-friendly diet to get you on your way.