Vegansanddairy

Why Vegans Don't Consume Dairy Products

As with most dietary questions, vegans are split

on the issue of dairy products--not so much on the question

of whether or not they are acceptable, but instead for what

reasons they should not be consumed.

All vegans (or at least true vegans) abstain from consuming

dairy products. Some do so for nutritional reasons;

others abstain for ethical reasons.

Those who do it for nutritional reasons cite a range of

health problems related to the consumption of dairy

products, including high cholesterol. Many also have a

problem digesting lactose or have a blood-iron or diabetic

problem related to milk protein, casein. In addition to

this, milk and cheese often contain small portions of

undesirable hormones that are added to dairy cow feeds

to increase production.

Those who abstain from consuming dairy products for

ethical reasons also have a range of reasons for doing so.

Some cite the poor treatment of dairy cows as a main

reason for not consuming milk and cheese. They note that

dairy cows are forced to become pregnant once each

year to maintain a constantly high yield of milk.

They are also fed numerous steroids

to increase production.

Others who abstain for ethical reasons often cite the

maltreatment of dairy cow offspring. They note that calves

are not allowed to spend time with or suckle from the

mother, but instead are prematurely removed to be reared

for either veal production, beef production, or as

replacement dairy cows.

The calves selected for "veal" production are often forced

to live in crates so tiny that they cannot turn around.

They must face in one direction; they cannot groom

themeselves; and they are fed hormone-laden feed until

they are sent off to be slaughtered.

If you are a prospective vegan, you may want to take

some time now to think about what is best for you.

Ask yourself whether you wanted to become a vegan for

ethical reasons, dietary reasons, or both. And from

there, determine whether or not these arguments were

strong enough to compel you to do so. Either way, you

should emerge with a stronger viewpoint and a better

understanding of what you do and do not want.