As someone who has been vegan since 2008, the importance of cutting out animal consumption to the greatest extent possible (not actually possible to go 100% by the strictest definitions) is not 'purity' but that it's psychologically simpler and less draining in the long run. I've pre-committed to my bright line rules and stuck with them for over a decade, so I can make snap decisions. Honestly, it was much harder when I tried to be an 'ethical' consumer of animals and had to constantly ponder the complexities of different situations. Note that pre-committment to bright line rules can apply to anyone on the vegetarian spectrum, not just vegans, as long as their rules are clear and simple. But this is why I don't trust people who have more complex systems such as 'eat meat only on odd days of the month' or something to stick with it - the more complex the rules, the less likely someone is going to stick with it long-term.
Another act anyone who lives in the United States and/or who has U.S. citizenship can take is to oppose subsidies to the beef/dairy/chicken/etc. industries. Look up the Agricultural Fairness Alliance for more information. Also, at least in the United States, most declarations of 'cage free' are fake, if there isn't certification from a 3rd party you're just paying more money for equally abusive practices. And even the certified 'cage free' eggs usually come from chickes whose beaks were removed (which is traumatic to chickens).
Taiwan has lots of great vegan foods. Actually, travelling as a vegan has pushed me to find interesting foods which omnivores may not have discovered. Some examples of interesting (to me) vegan foods from various regions of Taiwan: mud volcano tofu (from a small town in Taidong county, I forget the name off hand), kolitan, which only grows on Pongso no Tao (Lanyu) and Green Island, and aiyu jelly (maybe they sometimes add honey--I'm not strict about honey as long as it's just a minor ingredient--but if you prepare it yourself it's guaranteed to be honey free).
For my research I talked to a bunch of vegans and everybody has different reasons or exceptions. Some will eat meat to avoid waste and others would rather eat nothing, for example. Do communicatie what works best for you to stick to your preferred way of eating. Regardless of the difinitions of others. You decide your own rules. And in practice, there is not one way to be a vegan.
Thanks for this article - it is right up my alley. I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan 2 months ago primarily for health reasons but it also aligns with my caring about preventing cruelty towards animals and the health of the planet. So far, I really do not feel a hankering for animal products, but admittedly it is still early. But, yes it is truly inconvenient. I am, like you, not holding myself to perfection. If there is biscotti from Carol bakery (highly highly recommended BTW) in front of me, don't count them, at least one will be gone as you blink. If some family member sends over a plate of first rate fatty tuna - again don't count them - a piece went missing into me. And yes I will drink restaurant made dashi containing bonito although when I make it I use vegan ingredients. I estimate I am still in the high 90's percent of staying vegan. I do a lot of the family cooking now and sometimes use plant based meat substitutes to keep everyone happy. Will give the beyond meat sausages a try (pricey here in TW but hey gotta live a little). Oh, and I donated to Good Food Institute on your recco.
Hey there! As an FYI, a vegan diet cannot include animal products by defintion. So unfortunately, eating shellfish, cream, and whey makes you an omnivore. Hope this helps!
As someone who has been vegan since 2008, the importance of cutting out animal consumption to the greatest extent possible (not actually possible to go 100% by the strictest definitions) is not 'purity' but that it's psychologically simpler and less draining in the long run. I've pre-committed to my bright line rules and stuck with them for over a decade, so I can make snap decisions. Honestly, it was much harder when I tried to be an 'ethical' consumer of animals and had to constantly ponder the complexities of different situations. Note that pre-committment to bright line rules can apply to anyone on the vegetarian spectrum, not just vegans, as long as their rules are clear and simple. But this is why I don't trust people who have more complex systems such as 'eat meat only on odd days of the month' or something to stick with it - the more complex the rules, the less likely someone is going to stick with it long-term.
Another act anyone who lives in the United States and/or who has U.S. citizenship can take is to oppose subsidies to the beef/dairy/chicken/etc. industries. Look up the Agricultural Fairness Alliance for more information. Also, at least in the United States, most declarations of 'cage free' are fake, if there isn't certification from a 3rd party you're just paying more money for equally abusive practices. And even the certified 'cage free' eggs usually come from chickes whose beaks were removed (which is traumatic to chickens).
Taiwan has lots of great vegan foods. Actually, travelling as a vegan has pushed me to find interesting foods which omnivores may not have discovered. Some examples of interesting (to me) vegan foods from various regions of Taiwan: mud volcano tofu (from a small town in Taidong county, I forget the name off hand), kolitan, which only grows on Pongso no Tao (Lanyu) and Green Island, and aiyu jelly (maybe they sometimes add honey--I'm not strict about honey as long as it's just a minor ingredient--but if you prepare it yourself it's guaranteed to be honey free).
For my research I talked to a bunch of vegans and everybody has different reasons or exceptions. Some will eat meat to avoid waste and others would rather eat nothing, for example. Do communicatie what works best for you to stick to your preferred way of eating. Regardless of the difinitions of others. You decide your own rules. And in practice, there is not one way to be a vegan.
Thanks for this article - it is right up my alley. I transitioned from vegetarian to vegan 2 months ago primarily for health reasons but it also aligns with my caring about preventing cruelty towards animals and the health of the planet. So far, I really do not feel a hankering for animal products, but admittedly it is still early. But, yes it is truly inconvenient. I am, like you, not holding myself to perfection. If there is biscotti from Carol bakery (highly highly recommended BTW) in front of me, don't count them, at least one will be gone as you blink. If some family member sends over a plate of first rate fatty tuna - again don't count them - a piece went missing into me. And yes I will drink restaurant made dashi containing bonito although when I make it I use vegan ingredients. I estimate I am still in the high 90's percent of staying vegan. I do a lot of the family cooking now and sometimes use plant based meat substitutes to keep everyone happy. Will give the beyond meat sausages a try (pricey here in TW but hey gotta live a little). Oh, and I donated to Good Food Institute on your recco.
We stan
Hey there! As an FYI, a vegan diet cannot include animal products by defintion. So unfortunately, eating shellfish, cream, and whey makes you an omnivore. Hope this helps!