World Vegan Day: what is it all about?

Ever wondered what the benefits are to going vegan?

Jessica Predko
1st November 2022
Image credit: Pixabay
This year’s World Vegan Day will be celebrated on Tuesday 1st November, which not only is an opportunity for fellow vegans to exchange their thoughts with like-minded people, but to also help spread the vegan message to non-vegans. Veganism has become more and more popular over the last two decades. The Vegan Society found the number of vegans significantly increased from 150,000 in 2006 to 600,000 in 2018.

Why is everyone going vegan? And what are the benefits?

Benefits to the planet:

Meat production accounts for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions from food production. A single kilogram of beef creates a whooping 70kg of emissions! If everyone went vegan, 75% of the world’s farmland could be saved to grow nutritious, plant-based protein to feed more people, helping to alleviate world hunger. Did you know? Every time an animal isn’t eaten, it saves 4,164 Litres of water, 18 kg of grain, 3 m² of forested land, 9 kg CO2, and one animal life.

Did you know? Every time an animal isn’t eaten, it saves 4,164 Litres of water, 18 kg of grain, 3 m² of forested land, 9 kg CO2, and one animal life.

Benefits to health:

Vegan diets can help protect public health. They are associated with lower risks of: heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer and can lower your cholesterol levels. It can also reduce your chance of antibiotic resistance, as animals on factory farms are regularly pumped with antibiotics, which people then consume. The UN warns the leading cause of death in 2050 could be antibiotic resistance, if this continues.

Benefits to animal welfare:

We are often told of the UK’s high animal welfare standards, but this sadly isn’t true. 85% of the UK’s farmed animals live on factory farms. These comprise of large, unhygienic sheds where the animals are cramped together and cannot exhibit natural behaviours. Practices in factory farms include farrowing crates for pregnant pigs, ‘enriched’ cages for egg-laying hens, and teeth-clipping of piglets. There are now over 1,000 megafarms operating in the UK, with the largest housing over a million chickens! Going vegan ensures that your food does not involve animal suffering.

Sounds great! But what do vegans actually eat?

There is a common myth that vegans don’t get enough nutrients, including protein, iron and vitamins. But this simply isn’t the case! There are many plant based foods that can provide all the nutrients you need!

Cereals and grains (i.e.: wholewheat pasta, wholemeal bread, brown rice, oats, rye, buckwheat) can provide a range of nutrients including Vitamin B, protein, iron, calcium and fibre.

Whereas fruit and vegetables can provide Vitamins A, B, C, E and K, as well as mineral trace elements of iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.

Where can I eat vegan in Newcastle?

Super Natural café, which is located at 27 Grainger Street. They serve a range of vegan foods, including vegan brunch pancakes and burgers, vegan Belgian waffles with fresh fruits, cream and ice cream, as well as avocado on toast. And what’s better – they are also dog friendly!

Earthlings is a vegan juice bar that also sells raw vegan cakes and is located on 94 Buckingham Street. They sell drinks, such as smoothies for £4.50, and cold pressed juices for £4.95.

For further information on veganism, please visit Viva! The UK’s leading vegan charity’s website at www.viva.org.uk

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ReLated Articles
magnifiercross
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap