In a world where eating habits are often handed down through generations, we rarely question the foods we consume daily. But what if we told you that much of what we consider 'normal' might actually be pretty weird?
Let’s take a moment to explore why certain foods may not be as ordinary as they seem.
We kill billions of animals every year for foods that increase the risk of our biggest killers – heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Weirdly self-destructive?
Many types of meat and dairy products are high in saturated fat which can raise the risk of high cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Processed meats such as sandwich slices, bacon and sausages are often also high in salt and other additives linked to heart disease and cancer.
Multiple epidemiological studies (studies of large groups of people) have found that those following a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts had a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease than those following non- plant-based diets.
Further studies have found that greater consumption of nutritious plant-based foods was linked to a lower risk of breast cancer, aggressive forms of prostate cancer and digestive system cancers including pancreatic, colon and rectal cancers. Similarly, several studies have shown that people following this type of healthy plant-based diet had a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (34% lower risk in one major study) than those following unhealthy non-plant-based diets.
We’re the only animal that’s never weaned and continues to drink milk as an adult – and the only one that drinks the milk of another species.
If that’s not weird enough, we deny calves the milk that nature intended for them, removing them from their mothers within hours of birth so that the cow’s milk can be bottled and sold to us.
Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health and identified by the World Health Organization as one of the most important health challenges in the 21st century. The overuse of antibiotics in animal farming is a contributor to the increase in antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are routinely used in intensive farming systems to prevent and treat infections and can also be used in animal feed to increase growth. Studies have estimated that 73% of all antibiotics sold globally are used in animals raised for food.
When you start questioning these food norms, it becomes clear that what we’ve been conditioned to accept as normal is, in fact, pretty weird. By choosing to eat vegan, you’re not only opting out of these strange practices, but you’re also making a powerful statement for compassion, sustainability, and health.
Veganuary inspires and supports people all over the world to try vegan for January and beyond. Millions of people have already taken part.
Will you join them?
