The meat versus vegan debate intensifies as people take different steps to support their lifestyle. The bustle of Christmas season is upon us. Meeting up with work colleagues, old friends and family members you haven't seen for years, on top of that is the faff around planning what people actually want to eat. The Meat vs Vegan requirements have to be considered for the festive Christmas get-togethers. Weeks in advance, the all-important food shopping starts and people are deciding what to have for the highly anticipated Christmas dinner, will you be having a nut roast or stuffed turkey with all the trimmings? With the merry time of year approaching when everyone is preoccupied with planning, buying or preparing for Christmas, the talk of food is definitely on the table.
There has been an ongoing debate into the rising trend of veganism particularly around questions of it being a fad. However, the word ‘vegan’ didn't exist until 1944 which may seem like not that long ago but is actually longer than homosexuality has been legal. Research by The Vegan Society found ‘the number of vegans in Great Britain has quadrupled to 600,000 in the four years to 2018’ showing that it once having been stereotypically thought to be a middle-class craze boosted by celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow is now a popular choice which may no longer be classed as a ‘trend’ but shifting into the mainstream.
Waitrose editor, William Sitwell consequently lost his job as he had previously joked about “killing vegans” in a private email that got leaked by vegan Journalist, Selene Nelson. In response to this, Global health app 'Lifesum' has looked into anti-vegan prejudice. One of the largest health apps with 30 million global users, the Stockholm-headquartered Lifesum, asked its US and UK vegan users whether they had ever encountered prejudice and, if so, the situations in which it had occurred.
The results of the Lifesum survey of vegans from November are that: 81% of users who are currently vegan, or have been vegan in the past, claim to have experienced prejudice around their veganism. Those vegans who have experienced prejudice were asked to refer to the situations in which they had experienced anti-vegan attitudes (with the majority of respondents having experienced prejudice in multiple contexts): 92% experienced prejudice from friends and family, 59% whilst dining out, 55% in the workplace, 21% whilst shopping in a market or grocery store.
The fact that this month is World Vegan Month makes this first-ever discovery of measuring ‘vegaphobia’ all the more relevant. Dominika Piasecka, a spokesperson from The Vegan Society, said: “Being vegan is the single most effective way in which someone can protest the exploitation of animals everywhere. Whether you’re concerned by animal exploitation, environmental destruction or human health, veganism is a great lifestyle choice for all of us who care about these issues. The image of veganism is undergoing the most radical change in its history while shedding some tired, old stereotypes.”
The argument surrounding if being vegan is a ‘philosophical belief’ has been talked about even more recently. A recent landmark case where Jordi Casamitjana was fired for disclosing a business, ‘The League Against Cruel Sports’ was investing funds in animal testing, argues that he was discriminated against. They have strongly denied that his sacking was because of veganism but rather gross misconduct. The issue around whether veganism should be protected by law has become even more prevalent, it has been put into the spotlight whether we should be doing more to protect the lifestyle choices of vegans. Is putting veganism as a philosophical belief taking it a step too far?
It’s unrealistic to expect a total ban on meat. Arguably, it’s the view of some that this should be your diet because it’s healthier and cruelty-free but despite people knowing the health and environmental benefits, meat eating is still the preference. Having it so hugely intertwined in our diet for around 2.4 million years, if it was suddenly removed people would undoubtedly find it difficult. It brings into question why should there be a ban on meat? People enjoy eating it and regardless of them knowing that being vegan is better for you enjoy the taste of eating meat and feel that animals are there for us to eat. By eating meat we are supporting farmers who breed animals for meat consumption.
It wouldn't be sustainable if everyone embraced being vegan as the land wouldn't be able to support the amount of food needed to support the diet. It mustn't be ignored that the consequences of producing meat at the level we do is having a damaging impact on the environment and more needs to be done to tackle animal welfare.‘Veggie gone vegan and back again’, Charlie Budd said: “It’s a lot easier now to eat out as a vegan - not everywhere, but many places. There’s often one vegan ‘choice’, which of course means the ‘choice’ of eating it, or going hungry. In terms of the evolution of society, I’d hope that one day we see the killing of animals purely to enjoy the taste of them as abhorrent as we now see slavery.”
The term ‘flexible vegan’ seems to be what people are choosing as a label for not being fully vegan. Many are finding it difficult, often finding that in their attempt not to eat dairy, substitutes are hard to come by particularly with products containing cheese and eggs. Recently turned vegan and student Phoebe Sargesson-Jones said: “I've been to some restaurant chains where I ask for the vegan option and they get a bit annoyed with me, like with pizza it's not even got any vegan cheese because they couldn't be bothered to do it. Then you feel bad for asking so I think they just need to be more educated in the fact that everyone eats differently. We’re not asking for a lot we just want something nice to eat. There's definitely a price problem, it's quite expensive to be vegan. I think that's what puts a lot of people off as well but I think in the future it will get better.”
A development of lab-grown meat, the process of making meat from animal cells without needing to harm animals, could offer a solution to finding a middle ground. Scaling up on production is the issue as making meat in a lab is time-consuming and costly as well as there being a general caution with lab-grown produce. Having this alternative food source could be the answer to reducing our carbon footprint and keeping both sides happy. Animal rights charity, Peta’s view is: “The best thing that anyone can do for animals is not to eat them. Ditching meat is also one of the best things that you can do for your health and the environment. Humans don’t need to eat animals to live in fact, we’re healthier if we don’t.”
The choice of chicken is a firm favourite for people, there is an assumption that animal products (chicken, fish and eggs) can be bad for you when actually lots of people feel chicken is a source of protein that’s a healthy option. If you look at a well known weight loss site, chicken, eggs and fish are all score zero, while pulses and grains score higher. Therefore, actually contradicting the opinion that meat is unhealthy for you.
Hortense Julienne founder of Miss Nang Treats who studied food said: “In order for people to adopt a style of life, they need to be educated and be shown the benefits to them and even the planet. Take chicken, for example, it is an obsession in this country. The easier it is accessible, then people will abuse it and even think that they cannot live without chicken. So, instead of attacking the consumer asking them to protect animals why not turn it on its head and offer solutions and an alternative."
Will veganism prove unstoppable to the point where it has overtaken meat eaters? There needs to be a middle ground and a balance between meat and vegan so that the food industry can remain sustainable and economical for the future. If everyone eats meat it is not sustainable but neither is everyone being vegan.