Amy G. Turner [Turner - Plant-Based Diet Cookbook for Beginners

While the term vegan has become popular over the years, many are left feeling dubious whenever they hear the word. Many associate veganism with past millennial, Generation X health fads. While those fads may have been helpful and health oriented, the rise and fall of diets can be hard to keep up with. Diets and their popularity have come and gone. Trends regarding particular foods have even surfacedkale, celery, and avocados may in fact be some of the trendiest foods on the market and in social media. While many dont doubt the health benefits these foods boast, the reputation of these items has been linked to unfavorable, hard to follow, young adult crazes. Many categorize veganism as simply another trend, or an ideal that is unattainable, though most would theoretically support saving animals and saving the planet all while becoming healthier at the same time. With so much information floating around, however, simple theories become clouded by propaganda and business-focused marketing.

In the United States, treating chronic diseases illnesses is a one-and-a-half trillion-dollar industry according to the Milkin Study Institute (n.d.). Weve all been told to eat your fruits and vegetablesits a saying thats been around for ages. Well, your grandma and parents had the right idea. Because the vegan diet mainly consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, and nuts, the amount of nutrients your body receives is drastically different than a meat heavy, processed diet. Consuming the right foods alone will ultimately lead to a better lifestyle and produce a desirable body. Even if you dont feel the immediate health effects after an unhealthy meal, there is still reason to eliminate animal products from your diet. According to a study by the Federal Commission for Nutrition (2015), meat is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, which takes into consideration the likelihood of developing diseases like cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In fact, research has shown that processed meats like sausages, hot dogs, salami, ham, bacon, beef jerky, and canned meat can be classified as type one carcinogensmeaning there is sufficient evidence to link consumption of these meats with developing cancer (Q&A on the Carcinogenicity of the Consumption of Red Meat and Processed Meat, 2016). Scientific studies have shown clear links between meat and ill health, yet almost all food commercials on T.V. contain animal products. The research is out there, but is suppressed by the need to keep businesses like McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell flourishing.

While many are aware of some of the studies surrounding beef specifically, its important to know that chicken and dairy products are just as harmful. What many dont know is that the number one dietary source of cholesterol is chicken (Drewnowski & Rehm, 2013). This is because chicken is pumped full of sodium to ward off disease and infections picked up in their disgusting living quarters. With bacteria, fecal matter, and deceased chickens all in one space, its not surprising chickens have to be given tons of antibiotics that you ultimately end up consuming. Dairy is similar in that its not good for you. In simple terms, cows milk is produced by a female cow and contains all the necessary ingredients to grow a baby cow. Like humans, babies need their mothers milk to survive. The only difference is; humans need human milk from their mothers. After consuming the life juice of a baby cow, it should come as no surprise that this contains elements that are unnatural and harmful to the human body. According to a study, for women who have had breast cancer, just one serving of dairy per day can increase their chances from dying from breast cancer by 49%, and dying from any disease by 64% (Kroenke et al, 2013). For men, eating dairy can increase their likelihood of getting prostate cancer by 34% (Prostate Cancer, n.d.).

In terms of the environment, producing large quantities of animal products has taken a detrimental toll. Raising, feeding, and keeping animals healthy enough for profit is an expensive endeavor on its own. According to the popular documentary What the Health (2017), raising animals for food is the leading cause for rainforest destruction (land), species extinction (loss of habitat), ocean dead zones (waste), and freshwater consumption degradation. Another huge problem looming in the environmental world is greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. You may be surprised to know that raising animals for consumption produces more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation sector (Key Facts and Findings, n.d.). This statistic takes into consideration the pollution given off by cars, trains, ships, airplanes, buses, and cargo ships. Greenhouse gases are associated with global warming or a changing of the Earths natural processes, as proven by historical data. Here are a few more alarming statistics about the animal industry and its toll on the environment:

• A car would have to drive 200 miles to produce the same amount of emissions as one single burger containing half a pound of meat.