Being a vegan in a non-vegan world

One of the most important things I had to do when I became vegetarian was telling my friends and family that I was vegetarian.  I did this not because it was anyones business but my own but because when I go out to eat with friends, or people invite me over to their house for a meal they need to know my new diet changes.

However, as many people find when they go vegan, they face a lot of backlash.  Many people don't understand and probably don't like that you have the self control to make the change.  I noticed that the people that were "against" me going vegan or those that make fun of me the most for eating weird foods and not believing I am getting the right nutrients are the people that have poor diets with very little variety.  Those that supported me the most were friends and family that were making their own changes in their diet to loose weight or get healthier.

But even if you cannot find anyone to support you whether it is family, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend there are still so many sites online and chatrooms and facebook groups available for support.

The important thing to understand is to stay strong about your beliefs and hold your head high.  I have been put on the spot many times to explain the dairy and egg industries and the health benefits of being vegan.  It is difficult to answer these questions without making it sound like what everyone else is doing is wrong.  It is therefore important to emphasize that you do not judge anyone else for their eating diets, veganism is something you do for yourself and if they have any questions they should ask.

Vegan

Health. Environment. Animals.

Many people have their own opinion on why one should go vegan.  Many (like me) do it for health reasons, they want to feel great and look great!  Others do it for the environment and the pollution and destruction that goes on due to meat-based diet.  And some will do it for the animals and how killing animals for food is unethical and cruel.

I went vegan because I wanted to feel better.  I never had terrible illness's and was never in and out of hospitals nor on and off medication.  I was a perfectly healthy 19 year old - but I wanted to feel even better!  Going vegan helped me do that.  It also showed me environmental effects of a meat-based diet and how much animals suffer in farm factories.

For all the reasons in the world that there are to go vegan I did it for me, myself, and I.  However as selfish as my decision is to go vegan I know that I am also helping animals and the environment which keep me motivated to continue on my vegan adventure