Let’s be real here for a minute. Veganism needs some better PR if the majority of people (especially older ones) are ever going to take it seriously. As a vegan myself, I’ve noticed that when I tell people, I get a wide range of reactions. Younger people (think college age) tend to be curious about it. Normally I get a lot of questions which have answers I can’t really do justice for in a casual conversation. I generally try to make veganism sound as accessible as possible, but since I feel as though I can’t fully share my thoughts without seeming confrontational the conversation usually ends like this: “That’s cool, but I could NEVER go vegan.” I used to say the very same phrase myself. My excuses ranged from “I just love cheese too much” (side note: It actually used to be my favorite food, I had cheese all the time, when I was six I got a hunk of cheese for Halloween from my grandma and I actually screamed with joy) to “I just don’t think I’d get enough protein and iron” to “it seems so hard to give up the foods I love”. Here are my responses to the five most common excuses I used to make, and still hear from well meaning people. I am not trying to be a pompous asshole here, I just want to make veganism seem accessible as it actually can be.
1) I won’t get enough protein/iron/some other nutrient
We are taught as children to associate protein with meat, so I understand the genuine concern. However, there is protein in pretty much everything you eat. Generally, if you eat enough calories in a given day you will also get enough protein. Some people are looking for a little more protein in their diet because they exercise a lot, and in that case I’d invite them to explore the plethora of protein rich plant food including beans, lentils, brown rice, tofu, tempeh and peas. Broccoli actually has more protein per calorie than beef. I’d also like to mention that there are a growing number of vegan bodybuilders that exist as well as a growing range of vegan protein powders available for purchase. Whole grains are also an excellent source of iron. The oats I eat for breakfast nearly every morning already provide me with 40% of the daily recommended iron intake. Legumes and leafy greens are also excellent sources of iron, and when eaten with a source of vitamin C, the iron will absorb more effectively. If getting enough of another nutrient worries you, look up foods that contain a lot of that particular nutrient. Still not convinced you’ll get enough? Look for fortified cereals or supplements.
2) It’s too expensive for me.
People seem to have this idea that veganism is reserved for rich white ladies who exclusively shop at Wholefoods and teach yoga and drink kombucha for a living (this is partially why veganism needs better PR). This is not true. Vegans are a diverse group of people who come from various economic backgrounds. While it is true that many specialty items (vegan cheese, fake meat, vegan sour cream, etc.) are more expensive, this is simply because there’s not a large enough market for these items yet. These foods aren’t necessary to create balanced and tasty meals. Some of the cheapest items at the grocery store are vegan, like oats, beans, rice, bananas and tofu. If these items are bought in bulk they become incredibly cost effective. While these foods might seem a bit bland, with some creativity and spices they can be made delicious. Plenty of videos exist on Youtube that offer suggestions for budget-friendly vegan meals and shopping guides.
3) I could never stick with it!
I didn’t think I could stick with it either. Turns out I’ve been successful for a while now. What helped me was going into it gradually. At first, I only ever intended on becoming vegetarian, and was for several months before fully going vegan. Even my process of going vegetarian lasted two months, in which I slowly ate less and less meat. This not only helped me adjust to eating differently, but gave me time to slowly discover new foods I enjoy. Once I was vegetarian I quickly discovered veganism, but again, I took a few months to experiment with foods I hadn’t tried before and combine foods I already liked. What ultimately made me stick with it though was the research I did. Animal agriculture is terrible for the environment. The EPA estimates it’s the single largest source of methane emissions and one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases generally. It also causes lots of deforestation and ocean dead zones. I also looked into how animals are treated. This is what really helped me stick to it. Once I learned how incredibly cruel the meat, egg and dairy industries were I felt guilty eating these products. I love animals, and I don’t want my food to make them suffer. I invite people to do their own research on whatever motivates them, whether that be their health, the animals or the environment. Netflix has a few documentaries on the topic of veganism as well.
4) I just don’t know what I’d eat!
It’s really easy to feel overwhelmed when you realize that most of the foods you eat on a daily basis would have to be eliminated from your diet. Instead of focusing on what you can’t eat, focus on what you can eat. There are so many different types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes out there. If you mix them with different herbs and spices there’s a multitude of different combinations. At first though, you might feel a bit lost. This is where the internet (or a vegan friend) can be useful. Youtube has plenty of vegan Youtubers that share recipes, tips and shopping lists. Some of my favorite vegan Youtubers include liv b, sweetpotatosoul, Tess Begg, Supremebanana and Caitlin Shoemaker. These Youtubers have a lot of recipe suggestions that are fairly easy to make, with ingredients you might already have in your pantry, along with some “veganized” foods you’re used to eating. Pinterest is also full of helpful recipes. It may make you feel like a middle aged mom, but I have made some delicious food I found on Pinterest. Geneseo students are offered plenty of vegan options at each dining hall. Every station at every dining hall has at least one vegan option available, some stations like the stir fry station have several different choices. Letchworth even has a few cool specialty items such as vegan ice cream, vegan brownies, veggie burgers and sometimes even vegan chocolate cheesecake bars.
5) My family probably won’t let me.
I am the only vegan in a family of carnivores. For Christmas Eve I had to bring my own dish because the other options for food included ham, pot roast, two types of meatballs and a meat pie. But I managed to survive the holidays. If your parents or other relatives are wary, I’d suggest showing them the research you’ve done. Prove to them that the misconceptions they have are wrong. Make sure they know that it’s a personal choice and that you won’t force any of them into it. If your family still isn’t convinced, and you don’t think you’d be able to go completely 100% vegan, there’s nothing stopping you from becoming as vegan as possible!
Follow Her Campus @ Geneseo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.