Veganism – Dangerous Path of Health? 2025

What is Veganism?

Veganism is a lifestyle that avoids using or consuming any animal products. This means no meat, dairy, eggs, or even honey. It also goes beyond food it includes avoiding items like leather, fur, or cosmetics tested on animals. The goal is to reduce harm to animals as much as possible.

So, What defines veganism? It is a commitment to making choices that are kinder to animals and the environment. Vegans focus on plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. It is not just a diet; it is a way of life aimed at respecting all living beings.

For example, people who don’t have an idea about veganism even ask, Can vegans eat cheese? The answer is no traditional cheese is made from animal milk. However, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives made from cashews, almonds, or soy that tastes just as good.

Veganism is not only about ethics it has health benefits too. Studies suggest that a vegan diet can lower the risk of heart disease, improve digestion, and help with weight management. But, like any diet, it is important to plan meals carefully to get all the necessary nutrients. (Ref)

If you are interested in veganism, it is not as hard as it seems. You can start by switching out a few meals a week for plant based options or experimenting with vegan friendly products. Taking small steps made it easier to adopt this lifestyle and its many rewards. For those following a strict vegan meal plan, it is advisable to include a proper nutrition plan tailored to meet dietary needs, as recommended by your nutritionist or doctor. In the end, you will understand whether extreme veganism is favorable or Unfavorable for your health.

Before that, you have a clear idea about diet differentiation between Vegetarians and vegans.

Difference between Vegan and Vegetarian Diet

Category	Vegetarian	Vegan
Foods Consumed	Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds	Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds
	Eggs, dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), and honey are allowed as they do not require slaughter.	Eggs, dairy, and honey – Excluded due to ethical concerns about animal exploitation.
Foods Avoided	Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, gelatin, rennet: Avoided due to direct association with animal slaughter.	Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish: Excluded for ethical reasons. Gelatin, rennet, casein: Excluded due to being animal byproducts, even in trace amounts (like, leather, wool, silk).

Who Created Veganism, and How Did it Originate?

When I first got curious about veganism, one of my big questions was, Who came up with this idea? It turns out that veganism, as we know it today, started in 1944. A man named Donald Watson from England is credited with coining the term “vegan.” He was part of a vegetarian society but felt that avoiding meat was insufficient. Watson and a few like minded people believed dairy and other animal products also caused harm, so they started their own group, calling it the Vegan Society.

But the roots of veganism go way back before that. Ancient cultures like those in India and Greece had people who practiced plant based diets for spiritual and ethical reasons. For example, in some parts of India, avoiding animal products was tied to religious beliefs like non violence (ahimsa). So, while Donald Watson formalized the term, the philosophy behind veganism has been around for centuries.

What inspired Watson and his peers to take such a stand? For them, it was not just about diet; it was about compassion for animals. They believed that humans could live healthy lives without exploiting animals. This idea resonated with many people because it is not just about what we eat it is about how our choices affect other living beings and the planet.

The Vegan Society began small, but their message grew over time. Today, veganism is a global movement. People choose this lifestyle for various reasons ethical, environmental, or health related. While Watson’s focus was mainly on animal rights, modern veganism also emphasizes sustainability. For example, producing plant based food uses fewer resources and generates less pollution than raising animals for meat and dairy.

Learning about veganism’s origins realize, it is not just a passing trend. It is a philosophy rooted in empathy and responsibility. Knowing where it all started gives me a deeper appreciation for the movement and its potential to create a kinder, healthier world.

So, whenever someone asks, Who created veganism? I tell them about Donald Watson, but I also remind them it’s part of a much bigger story one that’s been evolving for centuries.

The Historical Roots and Evolution of Vegan Lifestyle.

When looking at veganism today, it is easy to think of it as a modern trend, but the truth is, its roots go way back in history. Veganism, in its simplest form, can be traced to ancient civilizations that practiced plant based diets for spiritual or ethical reasons. For example, I talked above about India. And moving to the West, the idea of avoiding animal products became more recognized in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

However, it was not until 1944 that veganism became a formal term, thanks to Donald Watson and the founding of the Vegan Society. Before that, people who avoided animal products might have been called vegetarians or animal rights activists, but the lifestyle was not as widely understood as it is now.

Over the decades, veganism grew slowly but steadily, particularly in response to growing concerns about animal rights and the environmental impact of animal agriculture. The 1960s and 1970s saw more people embracing veganism, influenced by the rise of the counterculture movement and growing awareness of animal rights. By the 2000s, with documentaries, books, and the rise of social media, veganism took off, and more and more people began to consider it as a lifestyle choice.

Veganism is not just about food. Over the years, it has evolved into a broader movement, where people consider the impact of their choices on the planet, animals, and even their health. The lifestyle has grown to include cruelty free products, ethical clothing, and even sustainable fashion. It is amazing how veganism has evolved from a small movement into a global force for change.

The Debates Surrounding Its Health and Ethical Implications.

I have noticed that, this topic sparks a lot of debates, especially… when it comes to health & ethics. Many people doubt if a vegan lifestyle is truly healthy or if it is just a trend. For me, Veganism offers health benefits while like any diet it requires careful planning.

1. Tragic Deaths Caused by Extreme Vegan Diets.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Vegan diets are rich in fruits, vegetables & whole grains which provide essential nutrients and help prevent chronic diseases. However, I found that if we are not careful, we could miss out on some key nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and omega3 fatty acids that are typically found in animal products. That’s why we need to pay attention to food choices, ensuring we get these nutrients from plant based sources or supplements.

To prove this some deaths happened due to “Extreme veganism” when negated the proper nutrition.

• Case 01 ( 2023 – Vegan raw food diet influencer Zhanna Death Case): Zhanna Samsonova, a 39 old vegan influencer from Russia, reportedly died of starvation after years of following a strict raw vegan diet. Known for promoting raw foods on her Instagram, she often shared her lifestyle and diet with her followers. (Ref)
• Case 02 (2022 – Sheila O’Leary Case): A mother from Florida who was sentenced to life in prison. Her toddler tragically passed away due to severe malnutrition. The child was being fed an extreme vegan diet that lacked essential nutrients, which ultimately led to this devastating outcome. (Ref)
• Case 03 (2011- France Vegan Baby Death Case): Another tragic case in France where a couple was convicted after their 11 month old baby passed away. The baby was on an unbalanced vegan diet and suffered from severe vitamin deficiencies, which caused fatal complications. It is a sad example of how critical proper nutrition is, especially for infants. (Ref)
• Case 04 (2019- Australia Vegan Diet Case): In Australia where a couple faced legal consequences because their child suffered from severe malnutrition and developmental delays. The child’s vegan diet was not properly managed, leading to serious health issues. (Ref)

2. Veganism vs Cultural Traditions – Clashes Over Food Practices.

Cultural Insensitivity: One of the most common questions among people is whether being vegan is healthier than eating meat. There are studies that suggest an equally distributed vegan diet can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes & some cancers. However, arguments exist that humans have evolved to consume animal products and that we require protein and specific vitamins from meat for optimal health. It is an ongoing debate and honestly, I think it comes down to personal choice and how I approach my diet.

These are the tensions that have emerged between cultural and vegan groups

• Veganism and the Mediterranean Diet (Greece/Italy): In Italy, vegan criticism of the Mediterranean diet’s meat and dairy components has sparked cultural backlash.
• Vegan Criticism of Traditional Asian Dishes (China/India): Vegan activists in India have faced criticism for condemning meat heavy curries, ignoring their cultural value.
• Vegan Activism in African Communities (Various African Countries): In Kenya, vegan advocates were met with resistance for questioning traditional meat based dishes used in cultural traditions.
• Veganism in Native American Cultures (USA/Canada): Native American societies have criticized vegan activists for condemning hunting, a practice central to their cultural beliefs.

3. Veganism vs Economic Realities – The Impact on Jobs, Costs, and Markets

Economic Factors: Ethically, veganism is rooted in a desire to reduce harm to animals. The treatment of animals in factory farming motivates many to go vegan. The ethical arguments for veganism are very strong, focusing on compassion and fairness toward animals. Some people argue that eating animals is natural and that farming practices are improving. Veganism is a complex issue that challenges us to consider how our choices impact the world around us.

Several economic factors related to the debate against veganism

1. Livestock Industry Jobs: Concerns that veganism could negatively affect millions of jobs in farming and meat processing especially in rural areas where these industries are a major source of income.
2. Cost of Transitioning to Plant Based Diets: Moving from animal based to plant based diets could be expensive for both producers and consumers, particularly in regions that heavily depend on livestock farming.
3. Cultural & Tourism Impact: Greece & Japan, where traditional animal based cuisine is central to their tourism economy, veganism seems to clash with industries that rely on these cultural food practices.
4. Market Disruption: Vegan products can disrupt the traditional food market, potentially harming small scale growers who rely on livestock for their livelihood.
5. Economic Accessibility: Vegan food options can sometimes be more expensive & harder to find especially in developing countries, which raises concerns about economic inequality in food choices.

While understanding these debates, the important thing is to find a path that aligns with our values. Veganism has made us aware of the impact of our choices both in terms of health and the well being of animals.

The Dark Truths of Veganism.

While we believe in the benefits of veganism, we recognize some uncomfortable truths about it that cannot be ignored. While veganism promotes compassion for animals and offers health benefits, there are hidden issues within the lifestyle that don’t always get talked about.

• One of the most surprising impacts of large scale farming practices, even for plant based foods, can be the contribution to environmental harm. For example, The production of soy and palm oil, common in many vegan diets, can result in deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and poor working conditions for farmers. It is challenging to think that the food we eating could still be linked to environmental destruction even if it is plant based.

• Another challenging reality is the effect veganism can have on individuals living in food deserts or lacking access to affordable, fresh produce. While veganism may be successful for some people, it is not always a practical choice for everyone. In some regions, fresh fruits and vegetables may be costly or difficult to find, and plant based alternatives can be inaccessible. This creates a barrier for many people wanting to eat healthier or adopt a vegan lifestyle but lack the necessary resources.

• Sometimes being a vegan can feel isolating. Judgment exists from both nonvegans and other vegans who have very strict views about what is “acceptable” in a vegan diet. This can make it harder to stay true to the lifestyle if I don’t feel supported or if I feel pressured to meet others’ expectations of what veganism should look like. While veganism has many positive aspects, it is important to recognize these hidden challenges. It is a complex lifestyle, and although we want to believe in its purity.

The Billionaire Agenda – Conspiracy Theory.

Conspiracy theories are circulating on social media that some of the world’s wealthiest businessmen, particularly Bill Gates, are behind the promotion of veganism. These theories suggest that they bought large amounts of farmland to control the plant based food market and eventually dominate global food production. Bill Gates, as the largest private farmland owner in the U.S. (Owning 242,000 acres), is often at the center of this theory. It is argued that by influencing agricultural practices, he and others could push for a global shift toward plant based diets. This could ultimately allow them to control the plant based food market by extension and the global food supply. But, Gates himself denied this claims.

So, Veganism is a personal choice that offers both benefits and challenges. While it promotes health and ethical living, it is important to be aware of the hidden environmental and social issues that can arise. Although it may not be a perfect solution, embracing veganism can be a step toward a more conscious way of living.

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