I became a vegan almost nine years ago after spending 50 years as an omnivore and occasional ovo-lacto vegetarian. For me, it wasn’t a decision based on health considerations but rather on ethics. I had become only too aware of human exploitation of animals, particularly for food. The thought of eating the flesh, body secretions (i.e., dairy) and eggs of bioengineered animals raised and killed in egregious conditions had bothered me for many years, but I didn’t have the courage of my convictions until I moved to another state, adopted a number of rescued cats and dogs, and got involved in animal welfare and animal rights.

Veganism for me is a personal political statement that expresses solidarity with all animals that suffer at the hands of humans, including those that are farmed, fished, poached, hunted and trapped for food, body parts and pelts; injured, sickened and killed in biomedical research; and abused in show business, sports, rodeos, cockfights, bullfights, dogfights, circuses, zoos and marine parks—to name just some of the activities that involve exploiting animals. Becoming an ethical vegan is one of the most effective ways to show that you truly care about the rights of animals to live quality lives consistent with their mental abilities. I consider it subversive because it fights against all the brainwashing we receive about our so-called need to consume animal products in order to maintain good health.

What exactly is veganism? It’s a nutritional philosophy that includes vegetal matter (e.g., vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, grains, and legumes) and excludes meat, fish, fowl, dairy products, eggs, honey, and any other foods of animal origin. Ethical vegans also avoid wearing fur, wool, leather and silk and use non-animal alternatives for all animal-derived products, of which there are many.

Is veganism “natural” for humans? Research suggests that humans, as indicated by the anatomy of their mouths, dentition and digestive systems as well as their biochemistry, have evolved to consume mostly vegetal matter along with a small amount of animal matter, but the animal part is optional and you can remain perfectly healthy without it. But it’s impossible to be a total vegan in the modern world, because animal ingredients lurk in the most unlikely places: in cars, bicycles, drugs, glue, antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluid, perfume, videotape, photographic film, tennis rackets, musical instruments, bricks, plaster, cement and insulation, to mention just a few products. Animal ingredients are also used in the manufacture of steel, rubber, vinyl, and plastics. That may change someday, but for now, that’s the way it is and you just have to do the best you can. And yes, inevitably you’ll step on bugs, inhale microscopic creatures, drink water with microbes in it, etc. Each vegan has to draw the line for himself as to how far he will go to eliminate animal exploitation from his world and should not be discouraged because he cannot achieve a state of perfect veganhood. That’s not important. It’s the effort that counts. If everyone became a vegan tomorrow, global warming would be reduced significantly because factory farming of animals is a huge contributor to climate change.

Does a vegan diet provide all the nutrition you need? Yes, if, as with any other dietary program, you choose your foods wisely and don’t stuff yourself with junk loaded with transfats and refined carbs. It’s possible to be a junk food vegan, also known as a chemical vegan, and make yourself very ill. But with a little planning to make sure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals, particularly B12, calcium and zinc, your vegan diet can be nutritionally far superior to the Standard American Diet (aka SAD) that produces all those unfortunate folks who resemble “The Biggest Loser” contestants.

Is there such a thing as a fat vegan? Absolutely. Vegans come in all shapes and sizes. I have a couple of vegan friends who are on the chunky side, and a few who are downright thin. I myself fall somewhere in the middle. Veganism is exactly what you make it, and your body and spirit will respond accordingly. Try it, you may like it. I know I do. I don’t miss my old way of eating at all. At the very least, as a vegan you'll be doing your part to help our terribly abused planet and all its suffering animals recover from the damage humans have done to them.

For more information about the philosophy and nutrition of veganism, here are two great websites: http://veganfreaks.org and www.veganoutreach.com