Why I became a vegan Moakes

Vegans don't consume any animal products, which includes a diet free from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. They also avoid clothing, footwear and other products that contain animal-sourced materials or ingredients or that otherwise cause suffering to animals during the production process.

My decision to become vegan was prompted by a quote that I saw framed on a wall at the RSPCA's UK head office:

"I would not enter on my list of friends (Though graced with polish'd manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm".

William Cowper (1731-1800)

> More vegan and vegetarian-related quotes

Already a vegetarian, this led me to consider other ways in which my diet and lifestyle might be impacting on animals and how I could minimise the harm being done to them by others on my behalf. Specifically, despite already being vegetarian, what else was I still doing needlessly, including as a result of my own ignorance?

I soon discovered that an astonishing amount of animal cruelty is inherent in many aspects of a non-vegan diet and lifestyle - and even in a vegetarian one. The obvious response - for me, at least - was to become vegan.

Being vegan

Becoming a vegan is much easier and less "out there" than potential converts might fear. Aside from reducing harm to animals, it can also deliver benefits for your health and the environment. Going vegan can even help to reduce human poverty and suffering, especially in developing countries.

Vegan products are more widely available and more affordable than ever before.  Vegan food, for example, is sold not just in specialist health food shops, but increasingly also in supermarkets.  Vegan substitutes are readily available for meat, milk, cheese, cream, ice cream, fish, eggs, etc.

As a result, new vegans can continue to eat most of the same meals they enjoyed before, simply swapping various ingredients and foods to create cruelty-free versions.

As a vegan, I cause less harm to animals, my health and the environment, which feels great.  I devour vegan versions of, for example, chicken, turkey, bacon, mince and fish that look and taste largely like the real thing. I still drink wine, beer and whisky. The margarine that I buy is made from soya, so doesn't raise my cholesterol. And I gave up cow's milk for Alpro soya milk (there are loads of non-dairy milks, so sample a few to find your own favourite).

These and similar small changes have added up to a very big difference - one that I thoroughly recommend.

What else is on Moakes.com?

Feel free to click around the links at the top of this page. You won't see any shocking images or find me ranting against non-vegans. What you will find are a few facts that you may find interesting and thought provoking (and that I wish I'd discovered sooner).

From a personal perspective, I hope that this site will help others to understand my own reasons for being vegan. At best, it would be wonderful if I could help to inspire someone else to at least give it a try.

If it happens to help people I'm working with to know what to feed me if they're laying on lunch or buying me a nice present to eat or drink, then that's great too!

Vegan-related articles and news

- Milk destroys the health benefits of tea - a scientifically proven fact.

- Up to 100 million pus cells in every glass of milk - cow's milk contains 35 hormones, 11 growth factors and pus. Yummy!

- Cadbury's news - bad: milk chocolate risks come home to roost, better: look out for the dark chocolate Flake bar.

- "Lactofree"?  No thanks - lactose-free cow's milk doesn't mean cruelty-free.

- Veganism and cancer prevention: UCL study suggests that a diet rich in beans, nuts and cereals (core elements of a vegan diet) may help prevent cancer.

Click here for more details on these items...