Some of this material has appeared in previous posts.
This editorial looks at current developments in the vegan movement:
- is 'going vegan' overdone?
- is it becoming too authoritarian?
- can vegans & carnivores peacefully co-exist at the same dining table?
BACKGROUND
It's true that numbers of vegans are rising daily. But even if you take higher estimates of 3.5 million vegans in the UK, that's still low compared to the population of 65 million.
Which wouldn't be a problem for either side of the debate except that the loudest, most vocal vegans have taken on such an authoritarian tone.
POLARISATION
Reading Twitter and some media reports of the vegan movement, you'd be forgiven for thinking that carnivores are monsters. Extreme vegans believe you are either with them or are a heartless individual, lacking in compassion and morality. Worse still, you are even an ecological sinner and a contributor to climate change.
The polarisation of the debate is worrying. But equally unsettling is the knowledge that extreme vegan terrorist attacks on people in the meat industry involving vandalism and even death threats are now so bad, counter-terrorism police have set up a protection unit.
There's anecdotal evidence that some small independent meat producers and butchers are so discouraged by harassment, they are closing down. This week's report from the medical journal Lancet (of all sources!) suggested we cut back weekly meat intake to the equivalent of half a burger. The report would have raised disbelieving laughs in the past but was treated with utmost seriousness by some broadcasters. We are apparently living in an age where the noisiest minority rules.
VEGANS BEWARE
It's important to remember this about vegans: Man cannot live on a vegan diet alone.
Without supplements of Vitamin B12 - normally only found in animal products - a vegan diet can damage and, in extreme cases, destroy good health. You might not suffer from the full panoply of Vitamin B deprivation - symptoms mimicking Alzheimers & MS -- but common effects are fatigue and lethargy with breathlessness, faintness, pallor and extreme weight loss.
Vegans maintain that supplements are a normal part of many people's lives. But that's not true of the majority, most of whom have to rely on animal products for a balanced diet.
It's telling that there are countless numbers out there who tried a vegan diet and gave it up.
WHY DO VEGAN DIETS FAIL?
Whatever the reason for becoming a vegan, it is an extreme choice:
- cutting out animal products is extremely difficult; even vegetarians, who can eat dairy and eggs, struggle
- plant proteins like nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and quinoa can add terrific taste and texture to plant dishes but a long-term reliance on them often leave the body craving for something more
- supplements are an added expense; many budgets won't stretch to include them
- more bodies than you expect are incapable of absorbing vegetarian B12
- new vegans need lots of advice and feedback to prevent malnutrition; some vegan organisations demand a commitment to 'the cause', whether in demo time or in cash contributions
But let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
'GOING VEGAN' CAN BE OVERDONE
One of the saddest things I read recently came from a journalist who described how he arrived home to find fresh homemade brownies. His first comment? Not: 'Yum!' But a hopeful: 'Is it a proper brownie?'
As it turned out, it was not, being made of some esoteric vegan substitute. The writer didn't say whether he ate the brownies but my heart went out to him. Vegan brownies are okay - just - but nothing, nothing beats a real brownie. (See Vegan Baking below)
The family cook may think family members need - for health reasons - to be converted to a low-meat or even a meat-free diet. Or it may be that Cook just can't face the prospect of preparing more than one dish at mealtimes and concludes that vegan food is the answer.
But many people are not - and never will be - disposed towards vegan food, and there are good biological reasons why. (See Michael Mosley and 67 Editorial: Reasons for Eating Meat ). Trying to cut out meat for someone who's a committed, happy carnivore is really not a good thing -- not morally and not nutritionally.
It may also backfire, with the family carnivores sneaking out for fatty takeaways away from home, instead of having lovingly cooked healthy meats at home.
By all means, increase the amount of plant food in a diet. Encourage vegan dishes to supplement a diet.
But don't eliminate meat for carnivores; just reduce it.
This blog has plenty of easy low-fat/cholesterol meat dishes, some of which can be easily frozen in individual quantities. Check out Recipes I and II on the Nav Bar; look for 'Skinny', "low-fat/cholesterol' and 'Easy'.
Family meals are just that: meals for the family, whether the individuals are plant or meat oriented. A little more planning (and some of 67's triple-duty recipes, of which more below) will suit everyone's needs.
Getting all the family involved in prep will also help the Chief Cook and increase awareness of what it takes to get a meal to the table!
YOUNG VEGANS
Teenagers and young adults who become vegans for animal welfare reason can be some of the most committed plant-eaters and vociferous critics of carnivores.
Personally, I would not encourage a teenager to become vegan. I would first try to determine why s/he wanted to be vegan.
Does the teenager want to lose weight? Is the reason health related? Is factory farming causing concern?
Research would encourage open-hearted discussion of the issues. Being a vegan is not necessary to lose weight; a period of vegetarianism (including eggs and dairy) will see the pounds drop off. Even just increasing the proportion of plant food to met or fish improves health; get in those 5-a-day vegetables & fruits! You can be an ethical eater without going vegan merely by avoiding industrial farmed meat; the West is blessed with plenty of small ethical meat producers.
Peer pressure to become vegan could be one of the difficult arguments to deal with. No parent wants their child to feel left out.
Negotiate. Encourage the consumption of either/and eggs and cheese one day a week, at home; parents can then relax about vegan food during the school week.
But remember. While teenagers are intelligent and self-aware enough to know when something isn't working, parents may need to give a little nudge. Agree that any signs of unusual fatigue, lethargy, pallor and weight loss will lead to a re-assessment of the situation.
The above also applies to partners of young adult vegans.
CO-EXISTENCE AT DINING TABLES IS SENSIBLE BUT NEEDN'T BE COMPLICATED
Make life easier; acknowledge the existence of opposing food camps while still offering a healthy balance of dishes:
RECOMMENDED TRIPLE DUTY RECIPES
Spicy Glass Noodles & Mince
Triple Duty Paella
Triple Duty Jaotze
Multi Duty Rich Tomato Soup
Dairy-Free White Bean Soup
Layered Spinach Salad
Vietnamese Rice Paper Wraps
Piquant Rice Salad
Have a look at them; you'll soon get the hang of adapting one recipe to feed diners with conflicting food demands. More new, triple duty recipes will be posted in future.
A few clues:
VEGAN BAKING
By the way, much vegan baking is awful. Sorry, but that's the experience of many.
That's why 67goingon50's vegan/vegetarian baked goods are tested on die-hard carnivores, including butchers. If they don't like it, the recipe doesn't go into the blog.
Luckily most of 67's vegetarian or vegan cakes have been enthusiastically received and it's great to have those recipes in the repertoire. But there are some items not suitable for veganization -- brownies are definitely one of them!
Have a look at How to...Have Your Cake, Eat It and still Stay Healthy and
But remember. While teenagers are intelligent and self-aware enough to know when something isn't working, parents may need to give a little nudge. Agree that any signs of unusual fatigue, lethargy, pallor and weight loss will lead to a re-assessment of the situation.
The above also applies to partners of young adult vegans.
CO-EXISTENCE AT DINING TABLES IS SENSIBLE BUT NEEDN'T BE COMPLICATED
Make life easier; acknowledge the existence of opposing food camps while still offering a healthy balance of dishes:
- look for recipes that provide a partly or mainly cooked vegan base to which vegan or/and carnivore ingredients can be added; it can be soups or casseroles (a list follows)
- with fully cooked bases, especially main course soups, offer a table buffet: a large tureen of the base with separate bowls of plant and animal protein (See: Balancing Vegetarian Meals and Staying Healthy on Restructed Diets for lists of plant protein)
- make a main course which is heavy on plant-protein but serve it with a smaller platter of roast meat (See Healthy meats for mid-week meals)
- where possible, have a dish of mixed raw seeds and/or nuts toasted lightly (5 mins) till crisp, for added plant protein; store in an air tight container
- a dish of raw veg adds essential fibre: try crudités or simple salads
- if you're not worried about carbs, breads provide common ground
- healthy desserts include a platter of raw fruit or fruit-based dessert like low-fat/sugar crumbles or skinny fruit pies
- Vegans can not be expected to eat anything but plant-based food but some vegan recipes are popular with carnivores; in fact, one of the problems of making separate vegan and carnivore versions of dishes is that carnivores always want to taste the vegan version!
A platter of cooked meats or fish can accompany the following:
Desserts
Check out Recipes II/Vegetarian on the NavBar
RECOMMENDED TRIPLE DUTY RECIPES
Spicy Glass Noodles & Mince
Triple Duty Paella
Triple Duty Jaotze
Multi Duty Rich Tomato Soup
Dairy-Free White Bean Soup
Layered Spinach Salad
Vietnamese Rice Paper Wraps
Piquant Rice Salad
Have a look at them; you'll soon get the hang of adapting one recipe to feed diners with conflicting food demands. More new, triple duty recipes will be posted in future.
A few clues:
- mince can be made with meat, fish or tofu that's been frozen, defrosted and broken down in a processor
- pieces of firm tofu work really well as a substitute for meat in stir-fries
- seafood is a good substitute for meat or tofu
VEGAN BAKING
By the way, much vegan baking is awful. Sorry, but that's the experience of many.
That's why 67goingon50's vegan/vegetarian baked goods are tested on die-hard carnivores, including butchers. If they don't like it, the recipe doesn't go into the blog.
Luckily most of 67's vegetarian or vegan cakes have been enthusiastically received and it's great to have those recipes in the repertoire. But there are some items not suitable for veganization -- brownies are definitely one of them!
Have a look at How to...Have Your Cake, Eat It and still Stay Healthy and
Adapting baking to a healthier, lower-sugar lifestyle. See also: Recipes II/Vegetarian on the NavBar
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