1-Vegetarian.Com

Welcome to 1-Vegetarian.Com

Vegetarian Food Guide Article

Why Vegans Don't Consume Dairy Products


As with most dietary questions, vegans are split on the issue of dairy products--not so much on the question of whether or not they are acceptable, but instead for what reasons they should not be consumed.

All vegans (or at least true vegans) abstain from consuming dairy products. Some do so for nutritional reasons; others abstain for ethical reasons.

Those who do it for nutritional reasons cite a range of health problems related to the consumption of dairy products, including high cholesterol. Many also have a problem digesting lactose or have a blood-iron or diabetic problem related to milk protein, casein. In addition to this, milk and cheese often contain small portions of undesirable hormones that are added to dairy cow feeds to increase production.

Those who abstain from consuming dairy products for ethical reasons also have a range of reasons for doing so.

Some cite the poor treatment of dairy cows as a main reason for not consuming milk and cheese. They note that dairy cows are forced to become pregnant once each year to maintain a constantly high yield of milk. They are also fed numerous steroids to increase production.

Others who abstain for ethical reasons often cite the maltreatment of dairy cow offspring. They note that calves are not allowed to spend time with or suckle from the mother, but instead are prematurely removed to be reared for either veal production, beef production, or as replacement dairy cows.

The calves selected for "veal" production are often forced to live in crates so tiny that they cannot turn around. They must face in one direction; they cannot groom themeselves; and they are fed hormone-laden feed until they are sent off to be slaughtered.

If you are a prospective vegan, you may want to take some time now to think about what is best for you. Ask yourself whether you wanted to become a vegan for ethical reasons, dietary reasons, or both. And from there, determine whether or not these arguments were strong enough to compel you to do so. Either way, you should emerge with a stronger viewpoint and a better understanding of what you do and do not want.

Vegetarian Food Guide Best products

Vegetarian Food Guide News

Budget gift guide: How to make Christmas merry in hard times - MLive.com

• Your 401k has turned into a 101k. • You're so broke you can't even pay attention. • You can take only two positions in this dismal market -- cash and fetal. But no joke, you have a lot of Christmas shopping to do, and you don't want your ...

Give easy dinner as gift: Meal kits give more than food - Asheville Citizen-Times

Gizmos and gadgets are fine, but the gift we all really want this holiday season is more time. While that may be hard to come by, you can help those you love take back a little of their own time by giving them these one-pot dinner kits. They help the ...

Thanksgiving, for here or to go - Los Angeles Times

At most of the following establishments you'll receive a par-cooked turkey that will require about an hour or two in the oven when you get it home. Some, such as Sapphire and Blue on Blue, are also serving Thanksgiving dinner in the restaurant -- in ...

Gonzo's Guide: Get into the Christmas spirit - MLive.com

Press Photo/Hollyn Johnson Visitors gather Tuesday night after the lighting ceremony of Christmas trees representing 40 countries in the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's 14th annual "Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around The World ...

For potlucks, pick a side dish with surprise - Los Angeles Times

Years ago, when I was in college in upstate New York and couldn't return home to Texas for the holidays, I attended a Thanksgiving potluck at a schoolmate's house. Thanks in great part to my lack of planning, I single-handedly ruined the meal. At the ...

A Family to Cherish - Washington Post

In addition to the usual big bowl, pho comes in an appetizer size, the better to let you sample the rest of the menu. (Scott Suchman) Some restaurants beckon customers with distinguished cooking. Others keep their dining rooms busy with attention to ...