| Why Become Vegan? Overall, the reasons to become a vegan fit into one or more of four main categories. There are environment reasons, health benefits, treatment of animals, and religious reasons. Below, and continued on our page titled Why Vegan, we discuss many important reasons to become vegan. The Environment Today, our planet is home to nearly 1 billion pigs, 1.3 billion cows, 1.8 billion sheep and goats, and 13.5 billion chickens - more than two chickens for each man, woman and child on the planet. We have altered vast ecosystems and devoted massive resources to support the world's burgeoning livestock herds. These animals need to be fed. They need water to survive. If they are ranged, they need land. And these animals produce enormous quantities of waste. The ecological footprint of meat production is deep and wide, and ranges from forest destruction in Central and South America for ranching to suppression of native predators and competitors in the United States. Nearly one-quarter of the world's meat, primarily beef and mutton, depends on a natural ecosystem - rangelands. Yet, as overgrazing becomes the norm in much of the world, rangelands are being pushed beyond their limits. Seven kilograms of grain are required to produce 1 kilogram of beef; the conversion is 4-to-1 for pork and 2-to-1 for poultry. Each kilogram of meat represents several kilograms of grain that could be consumed directly by humans, not to mention the water and farmland required to grow the grain. To put this in uncomplicated terms, the beef in a Big Mac represents enough wheat to produce five loaves of bread. Huge amounts of food - not to mention the water and farmland required to grow the food - can be freed up by modest reduction in meat production. For example, if the 670 million tons of the world's grain that is fed to livestock were reduced by 10 percent, the resulting grain could feed 225 million people or to keep up with growth in the human population over the next three years. If each American reduced his or her meat consumption by just 5 percent, roughly equivalent to eating one less dish of meat each week, enough grain would be saved to feed 25 million people - the number estimated to go hungry in the United States each day. The massive waste produced by livestock threaten waterways worldwide. In the United States, where 130 times more animal manure is produced than human waste - 5 tons for every U.S. citizen - animal waste is the principal source of water pollution. And livestock farms are getting larger throughout the world. Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's recent bill to reform livestock waste management estimates that one 50,000-acre hog farm under construction in Utah will produce more waste than the city of Los Angeles. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the world's livestock herds are the largest source of human-induced emissions of methane - a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. For those concerned about our environment, reducing meat consumption is as fundamental as reducing car use or being a conscientious recycler. Health Benefits Health benefits are one of the primary reasons people become vegan. Weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, less use of medication, avoiding surgery, and feeling and looking great are some of the many health benefits. Although many people ask how vegans get the nutrients they need or attempt to prove that animal products are essential, a vegan diet is actually healthier than the alternative. Read more about the essential nutrients vegan receive in a later section. Dieting by eating less is the most common form of weight loss in the United States. However, it is not the healthiest. This method can cause anorexia and other malnutrition disorders. But to lose weight you don't have to eat less. You can eat as much as you like of the right foods and not gain weight. Food itself is not what causing weight gain. Animals products contain extremely high amounts of fat that vegetables don't have. By not eating high-fat foods you will lose weight, even if you continue to eat a lot. Another major certain for many people is cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can clod your arteries and cause heart attacks and strokes. The good news is only animal products contain cholesterol. Humans naturally also have small amounts of cholesterol. By not eating animal products, your cholesterol level will remain low, limited to the amount already in your body. High blood pressure levels will also drop considerably, with just a few weeks of eating the right foods. Often doctors give patients medications to "solve" their medical needs. All these medications are is drugs. The natural state for the healthy human body in a drug-free state. Medications generally make you feel better but not really improve the situation. Healthy foods will allow you to become less dependant on medications. People who eat high on the food chain, consuming large amounts of meat, dairy products and eggs, are plagued by chronic lifestyle diseases, ranging from cardiovascular deterioration to many types of cancer. A rich body of medical literature links the high quantities of cholesterol, saturated fat and protein found in meat-rich diets to the incidence of these diseases throughout the world. Although surgery can fix some problems, it is often only a temporary solution. It is often the patient's diet that caused the problem, so continuing to eat the same, could bring the problem back. Becoming a vegan is a permanent change, that can greatly reduce or eliminate this unnecessary and expensive surgery an unhealthy diet can cause. For those concerned about their health, reducing the consumption of animal foods is as essential as quitting smoking or regular exercise. Addressing Some of the Challenges Cost factor The cost factor is important to consider. For a while, veganism will end up costing more. However, many people don't realize that in the long run you can save money on expensive medical bills and health problems by choosing veganism. Medical bills are expensive - and going up all the time. As explained more in Why vegan, becoming a vegan can great reduce or even eliminate those unnecessary costs. Of course, you might also be wondering "How much more do vegan foods costs?" The answer varies greatly, depending where you buy food and what you buy. For example, bread in a typical natural foods department or store can cost up to $5.00 or more (US dollars) if made in the store's bakery or another local bakery, but vegan bread for under $3.00 is also available and tastes great. Right foods not available (SEED) Finding the right foods can be one of the greatest challenges of becoming a vegan. It can be much harder, though definitely not impossible, to eat out. Most restaurants and fast-food places will honor a request for vegan food. However, be sure they know what vegan food is - clearly state that you want no meat, dairy, or eggs products in your food. Parties or other social activities often provide non-vegan food. Generally, you'll be able to eat something though, and you may want to even bring your own food, if possible. Grocery stores that have a good health-food selection are rare, although gradually becoming more common. Check Where do you shop for food? to learn how to find a local natural foods store. With all these problems, many people have given up veganism. However there are solutions and minor impracticalities shouldn't turn you away from the many more advantages of veganism. 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