This may seem like an odd question. It’s all semantics are the end of the day, right? To any vegan they are all plant-based, but to someone who is plant-based, that might be a little hesitant to say vegan, and in some cases, just aren’t. For the plant-based people who just aren’t vegan, it generally comes down to diet behind the reason. There is plenty of science out there to show the benefits of a plant-based diet. But the science doesn’t show that 100% meat free is needed to get these benefits. The result here is that people don’t fully buy into veganism as they perhaps don’t want to inconvenience friends when they go round for dinner, or like a “cheat day” to keep their absolute favourite foods in. I suppose that is their choice and are not the subject of my concern here. For them, we can only hope they realise the damage they do for wanting to save face at their friends or for the little bit of meat that they cannot let go off.
My concern, and the reason for this blog, is how I came to be vegan and how the separation between veganism and plant-based is all to clear and a real shame, but at the same time, there is a great opportunity for veganism to become a part of everyone’s life. I have seen that some people aren’t comfortable admitting they are vegan so they might say plant-based. This is making the word vegan appear taboo or something to be ashamed of. This is a travesty, but perhaps a bigger issue than can be addressed in one blog. But it is these plant-based people that can be the inroad to real change for veganism. Everyone has some love for animals and the planet. As a vegan we can see that you cannot love one animal and not another, one part of nature and not all. But some people just do. The positive here is that with this little bit of love, we know that all have the ability to love all. It is just perspective.
The solution? Introduce people to veganism through their stomachs. Show them that vegan food is real, tasty and easily attainable. This for me is the plant-based angle. First objective is to show how food to your body is like fuel and oil to a car. Without the right fuel and oil, the car doesn’t run. In fact, it breaks down and needs crushing or replacing. Replacing is all to common in modern healthcare. Show people this doesn’t have to be the case. If you are the chef in your group of friends, lay out a full spread of plant-based and let your friends see what being vegan can mean. If you look over at the Science part of this blog, you will see some snapshots of the science I have come across that helped me realise that becoming plant-based was important for mine and my families future. This then connected with my empathy and the love I have for animals and the planet and now I am proud to say I am VEGAN!!
I know that we all want people to be vegan for many reasons, but perhaps the best option is to show them how they themselves can live longer and get more from life. This will then allow an easy transition to being vegan.