Veganism: A Compassionate Lifestyle
Planning to turn Vegan? Then say no to any animal-derived products! Not just food, but all aspects of lifestyle including clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment. Embrace a diet that consists only of 100% plant-based foods and avoid all animal-origin foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, honey, and their derivatives. Banish leather, silk, and wool from your wardrobe and reject animal sacrifice and exploitation.
Veganism is not just about eating vegetables; it is a sensitive approach to the environment and our health. It embodies a strong sense of social consciousness and reality. Vegans consume healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, etc., and avoid or reduce junk and processed foods, which helps them maintain excellent physical health. They also strive to develop qualities like charity, compassion, restraint, physical discipline, dietary moderation, and non-violence towards all beings.
"Veganism can be the idea of restraint from food and killing of animals. We are half vegans then! I support the idea of fighting against animal slaughter. Our group of friends supports this cause and conducts awareness programs, making short films on such issues," says Sarath Bob, a student of EFLU.
Vegetarian diets include not only grains, pulses, edible roots, tubers, and leaves but also fresh and dry fruits, including nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc. Cereals like wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, etc., are commonly used as staple diets in different provinces in India.
The belief that a perfect fit vegetarian diet must include milk and milk-products such as curd, butter, ghee, etc. contradicts the fact that it may have negative health effects. Both milk and meat bring with them the defects of the animals from which they are derived. Domesticated cattle are hardly ever perfectly healthy, and the pasteurization process weakens the nutrient value of milk. Overconsumption of meat, which is high in fat and cholesterol, can lead to chronic diseases and may result in heart attacks.
"There is a concept of gluttony that comes when we consider food. Any desire which overtakes restraint from oneself is harmful. It is 'sattvic' to have a vegetarian diet, which will keep the body healthy and in control," says Swami Bodhamayananda from Rama Krishna Matt.
Mythology says that Gods do not consume meat, and Rishis and Munis are said to be pure vegans, helping them in their meditation and yoga. Their lifestyle is considered to be ideal. While some argue that the whole world being vegan or vegetarian might lead to resource shortages, the concept of veganism is a well-approved form of lifestyle. Necessary changes can be made to make it fit into our lives effectively.
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