Advocating nutrition, for a start

1716: 

The blog is on holiday till July 1st. Postings therefore intermittent

The starting point to non-violence is in not attacking animals. It's all unnecessary since plant-sourced food gives us optimal energy, so there's no reason to kill animals. The Animal Industry needn't exist; the consumer needn't demand meat and milk. But how does it happen, what is the trigger for change? Perhaps non-violence has to become attractive, and for that both vegan arguments and vegan approach must be entirely non-violent.  In keeping with our harmlessness principles, vegans need to advocate in a non-violent manner, without using fear or force. There’s no better way for people to identify with us, than by finding our 'persuasions' helpful and non pontificating.

If we are to put a credible case forward, for switching over to a plant diet, our persuasions need to be comprehensive and attractive. The foods we’re advocating need to be tasty and junk-less. Above all, as advocates, we should come across as fair minded - as much listening and learning as preaching and sermonising, and all to show we’re looking out for people as much as for animals; being as concerned for the safety of human health as for the ethical treatment of animals.

Whatever we might say about ethics and compassion, we can't afford to lose sight of the importance of nutrition. It's the key to so many things, and it's the deciding factor too when considering a change to vegan food. Will it be safe? Is vegan principle and a vegan boycott good for our health. This is both a selfish and a self-centred concern. Understandably no one wants to put their own lives at risk. As well, most people will stick to what they know; they’ll follow scientific advice about food. Perhaps they'll cut down here and there but won't readily give up eating the foods they love to eat.

People will latch onto any argument persuading them NOT to change too radically.  One is that animal protein has a complete combination of all amino acids, whereas vegetable protein has to be more carefully balanced in the diet. For vegans, there might be a lack of Vitamin B_12. So it has to be supplemented. But otherwise, by eating whole foods, there are no other health concerns. And no amount of vegetable protein will harm us, but be ultimately nutritious. Whereas the same can’t be said of animal protein.

With so much attractive animal-based foods on the market, people are indulging in them. Consequently there’s a danger of over-eating which is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Because animal-based diets are high in saturated fats and salt and low in fibre, people who follow them are doubly at risk. The use of foods in animal-based diets is the cause of fear for middle-aged to old-aged people. After many decades of eating rich foods, the fear of life-threatening illness looms large.

Maybe we vegans have to exercise some small amount of care over our diet, but that’s a small price to pay compared to the dangers associated with a typical omnivorous diet.

THE BLOG IS GOING ON HOLIDAY TILL JULY 1ST.

INTERMITTENT POSTINGS.