Living Vegan For Dummies - Alexandra Jamieson [12]
Seventh-day Adventism: Seventh-day Adventists are Christian vegetarians who have been well-studied for their dietary choices and health. These religious vegetarians and vegans believe that “demonstrating reason and restraint in daily life” by avoiding meat, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs brings them closer to God. These Bible passages often are quoted to justify their food choices:
• “I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seeds; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:29)
• “And you will eat the plants of the field.” (Genesis 3:18)
• “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” (Genesis 9:4)
Following these Biblical guidelines, most Seventh-day Adventists are vegetarian, but many are becoming vegan as they further develop their spiritual beliefs.
For the rest of us vegans who don’t belong to a specific religious group, the spiritual side of a plant-based diet encompasses many traditions. Every meal or bite brings with it an awareness of the pain and suffering that we’re preventing for other creatures. Vegans know they’re making a difference every day in the lives of others, and they take much pleasure and happiness in that. By constantly cultivating compassion, vegans protect the lives of other humans, animals, and the wide world around us.
Tackling Common Questions about Veganism
Vegans answer questions on a weekly basis about their choice to avoid animal products — so get familiar with the facts and get comfortable explaining your logic and actions. Chapter 26 even lists the most common questions you’ll hear along with plenty of information to stop your inquisitors in their tracks!
Why on earth would you live like that?
Vegans see the bigger picture when it comes to making a difference with small, daily actions. For those who may not readily understand this concept, you can just brag about how much healthier you’re eating with a vegan diet.
Besides, most Americans are just sick and tired. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, and another 32 percent are overweight — that means 66 percent of the adults in this country could stand to lose more than a few pounds! The numbers of children that are obese and overweight are just as bad. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 32 percent of children in the United States are overweight, and 16 percent are obese. A whopping 11 percent of children are extremely obese.
All those extra pounds cause more problems than just making it difficult to find jeans that fit right. The top causes of death in America are heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, and diabetes. If you’re overweight but wearing your seat belt and a helmet, you’re still more likely to die because you’re eating a high-fat, refined diet.
The good news is that lettuce-loving vegans tend to be on the skinnier side without much effort. Some vegans are overweight, but it’s a much smaller percentage of the population, consisting of around 11 percent. Membership in the vegan club has its privileges!
Not only are vegans less likely to be overweight or obese, they’re also healthier overall compared to the general meat-eating population. Modern dairy and meat products have been proven to contribute to the growing numbers of people with colon, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. A study from Harvard University showed that regular meat consumption increased a person’s risk of developing colon cancer by about 300 percent. Eating a diet high in fat causes the human body to produce more estrogen hormones, which have been linked to breast cancer.