Many people add extreme elements to their diets. However, most people would not even dare to try veganism. Veganism is one of the many diets that people decide to add to their lifestyle, but it is not the way to go.

Veganism is a plant based diet that consists of no animal products, including things like eggs, dairy and meat. The difference between vegetarianism and veganism is that vegetarians can eat dairy and eggs, whereas vegans can not eat any animal products. While this may already seem extremely intense, vegans also avoid items like makeup and clothing that incorporate animal products.

Many people decide to become vegan due to morals and beliefs when it comes to killing animals for human benefit, whereas others become vegan in order to lower cholesterol and lose weight. This form of diet may prove successful for some people when it comes to weight loss and cholesterol; however, veganism can also lead to many health problems, such as vitamin deficiency. If a vegan is not cautious of certain vitamins and minerals that are crucial to sustain a healthy diet, they can become extremely lethargic and susceptible to common illnesses, like the flu.  

Another element that many vegans overlook is the fact that veganism is a strongly carb-loaded diet. Unless carbs are burned, they often break down into sugars and then turns into fat. This disproves the idea that weight gain is less prominent in veganism over another form of diet.

Veganism also does not eliminate junk food. Many companies create various forms of synthetic foods that resemble meat. These highly processed foods are worse for a person’s health than meat itself, almost defeating the purpose for vegans who chose this particular lifestyle in order to stay healthy.

Additionally, vegans take on this lifestyle in order to take a stance against horrifying acts, like killing baby chicks and separating calves from their mothers which contribute to the production of eggs and red meat. Large companies kill and torture many animals, so that they can provide for the masses. Many fast food restaurants are required to make food as quickly and easily as possible, which indicates that proper and humane care for the animals is at a minimum. Killing and torturing innocent animals is not a small price to pay when these large companies are making millions of dollars. Often times we do not think about the production that goes behind our bags of Chick-fil-A and Whataburger. Although veganism is a form of protest against the food industry, vegetarianism is a much better option. It is a good way to get the nutrients necessary to stay healthy while making a statement against the food industry. Many vegans argue that vegetarianism is hypocritical due to the fact that egg and dairy factories also promote the killing and torture of innocent animals, but in reality, this is a false accusation. There are plenty of local farms that promote the proper care and humane treatment that goes into having a safe and successful farm. If more people promoted these local farms, humane treatment for animals would become widespread, making animal cruelty less common within the food industry.

Veganism is an optional diet that people can decide to take on, however, vegetarianism is a far better option.