Vegetarianism in the modern world

vegetarianism in the modern world

At present, when vegetarianism is no longer a trend or just a movement like about 5 years ago, having a clear view of the vegetarian lifestyle is a necessity. The culture of "green" living and environmental protection is one of the things that promotes vegan experiences to penetrate into the daily life of each family. Most restaurants now offer vegan meals, all supermarkets sell a significant number of vegetarian products that suit the wishes of consumers. Many young families are also more accustomed to the idea of ​​not using meat in their daily menu. The whole world is gradually accepting that cutting animal products out of the diet is becoming a symbol of the new era - where a balanced, healthy lifestyle is dominant.

However, becoming a vegan is not as simple as many slogans or articles that can be easily found online. Getting the full amount of necessary nutrients and vitamins (especially B12) from a vegan diet is much more difficult than other conventional diets. Finding balance in a vegan diet, therefore, requires a lot of effort, time, energy and sometimes a solid financial foundation. Moreover, having time to plan and ensure that you are balancing the absorption of all the nutrients that your body needs is really a big challenge in the modern world we live in.

But nutritional deficiencies are not the only thing that is troubling the growth of the vegan movement. The aggressiveness of a few small groups or individuals has gradually created a backlash, a terrible advertisement for those who want to learn about veganism. It is difficult to find an objective article about the vegan movement or a simple experience sharing, without reading negative comments from both sides. This disagreement is rooted in the fact that very few people really understand the vegan lifestyle or practice it in their daily lives.

Does being vegetarian mean living “green”?

Veganism is not necessarily a “green lifestyle” as many people believe. The production and consumption of foods like butter and soy products (a staple of many vegetarian diets) is causing serious environmental damage and a much larger carbon footprint than the animal food industry. According to WWF: “Without proper safeguards, the soy industry will cause massive deforestation and the displacement of smallholder farmers and indigenous peoples globally.” In fact, the carbon emissions from soybean production, combined with the emissions from the transportation and manufacturing of soy products, have a worse impact on the Earth than many leading heavy industries. In addition, “extreme” vegans and their vegetarian diets for animals and children have a much higher negative impact than people with other diets.

So perhaps, to find a way to positively influence people’s diets and the planet’s well-being, we have to start smaller, deeper, and more openly. The only way to ensure the support of a large part of the population is to take a gentle approach, with appropriate changes to the diet, rather than condemning others for their diets that are different from ours.

To not have to run away from vegetarianism

In 2019, a report released by the EAT Foundation outlined the importance of changing our diets. Professor Walter Willett stated that: “The transition to a healthy diet by 2050 will require a significant dietary shift. Global consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes will have to double; and consumption of foods such as red meat and sugar will have to fall by more than 50%. […] Diets rich in plant-based foods and low in animal foods will bring both health and social benefits, and will be the first steps in improving the world’s environmental problems.”

One thing the report really highlights is the need to focus on health and nutrition through veganism, but at the same time, to increase the sustainability of the new diet. To properly inform people about the nutrients they need, our education system will have to be overhauled. Health and sustainability must coexist – if we are to make any major, lasting changes on a global scale.

Furthermore, the price of nutritious, natural and healthy food must be brought down to make it more accessible to the masses. This can be easily seen in Western countries, where a bottle of water costs twice as much as a soft drink and a box of salad costs as much as two chicken wings. It is difficult for low-income people to think about their health when choosing healthy products means accepting that their family will go hungry. Do these things right and we can have a chance to convince more people that: veganism is the good and right path for humanity to move towards in the future.

Changing your diet, gradually reducing the amount of meat and animal products in your daily diet is also a big step for many people. It is the only way to make the majority want to participate and not feel forced into the unfamiliar vegan lifestyle. Change cannot happen overnight; for many people, giving up meat is impossible, but to avoid the diseases caused by animal products, they may be open to a menu with more healthy products.

Many human industries around the world are also built on dairy or meat production. A complete shutdown of these areas would create mass unemployment and cause serious economic damage. If you look at the figures, millions of families and billions of people rely on the very industries that hardline vegans are trying to dismantle. We cannot threaten these livelihoods if we want to attract the masses to a movement that is good for our health and the future of humanity. It is much more effective to start with suggestions, such as one or two vegetarian meals a week. Small changes can become part of a new step forward in human history.

Another way of life. Another solution.

In many ancient religions around the world, the first exercises that a follower should pay attention to is practicing a vegan lifestyle, then from there transforming the body, transforming the spirit to prepare for the journey to find deeper values ​​of life. Living a vegan life is therefore also a synthesis of many things: science, worldview and most especially, a choice for individuals to find themselves in the midst of a chaotic world.

It is difficult to realize the magnitude of this seemingly simple choice. Because to truly live by what we believe is difficult in any context, but it will be easier if we actively do it every day. From the basic needs to improve the world, improve ourselves, it is very possible that vegetarianism will gradually become a bridge to bring each individual closer to themselves and their emotions. Being vegan is a choice in which people learn to create and nurture a positive energy system, through hope, practice and belief.

Trong Nghia