It’s sad that the baby chicks didn’t get to live.

@Wildgreens I think like many Asians he Vietnamese will eat anything. We saw so many things for sale in the restaurants and markets. We once asked what was done with the silk worms after they spun their silk. Of course they are very tasty and nutritious. Funny thing. many are Buddhists and are supposed to be vegetarian. We once saw an event at a temple and the table with food offerings were nothing but vegetarian. When we ordered vegetarian meals we got a lot more and bigger variety then thos that ordered the regular menu. Still.

Arghhh Noooooo really now?

@TimeOutForMe Really! Did you see my photo of a sign advertising 7 course dog menu? My sister-in-law is Vietnamese and we went with my brother and his family. We were on our own for a month and saw and experienced things most do not.

From my personal experience and that of many others I have talked to the main reason was dietary health. All the chemicals inside our meats usually have the biggest impact. Information about all the other reasons come later. In Seattle Earth Save was the biggest group but I learned that a 2nd group split off. The 2nd group just wanted it for the enjoyment and health reasons and did not want to get into the politics.

@JackPedigo If you are eating less meat and more plants for health reasons, you are plant-based, or on a plant-based diet (if still eating some meat and other animal products, flexitarian). Veganism is an ethical stance to reduce the suffering of animals and the destruction of nature and the environment as much as possible. Veganism is not a diet, but a whole lifestyle. Vegans do not eat animal products, most would not eat foods (even plant foods) that are harvested or grown unethically, do not wear clothing and accessories derived from animals, do not use cosmetics and household products made of animal derived products, etc. (as much as possible). People confuse plant-based and vegan all the time. Plant-based folks often eat what vegans eat but may still eat animal products on occasion, and they might still wear clothing etc. made from animal products because that doesn't affect their health. Vegans would not (at least as much as possible, as many things are beyond our control). Mind you, I know many plant-based folks who start out cutting out animal products for health reasons but later also add ethical reasons.

BTW, veganism doesn't have anything to do with one's health. I know many vegans who are overweight or have health issues. I know many junk food vegans as well as health conscious vegans. Seriously, plant-based or vegan "meats" bought in stores and fast food places are not healthy either, just as any over-processed foods are not healthy. Some people are drawn to them because they like the texture and taste of the meat versions but ethically they choose not to eat meat.

@graceylou You are right and I confused vegetarianism with veganism (I am presently a semi-vegan except for honey and some clothing. We have a local bee keeper and I get my honey from them. We have a take-it-or-leave-it and almost all my clothing comes 2nd hand). However, as you said, the road to being a vegan usually starts with vegetarianism and then some of us evolve to a higher level. A couple of close friends are very strong vegans and she can make almost anything without animal products.
I also know of vegans and vegetarians who are unhealthy and obese.
I wonder how closely vegans are to the environmental movement? The latest National Geographic documented the huge loss of insects and we all know how many non-human species are becoming extinct due to human habits.
Thank you for the clarification.

@JackPedigo No problem. Terminology gets pretty confusing especially with the popularity of the term "plant-based" these days in the mainstream media. Everything is labeled plant-based it seems. Not everything with plant-based in the labeling is vegan as some of the vegans I know found out the hard way unfortunately. We have become pretty insane scrutinizers of ingredient lists. The common (and false) thought that all vegan foods are healthy is sometimes problematic for vegans because non-vegans use that against us. Look, that vegan burger is full of fats or salt or whatever, and that can't be healthy. But our focus as vegans is not our own individual health. Ultimately, everything is connected: our health, the well-being of animals, and the well-being of nature and the environment. Many vegans are concerned about all of those.

That said, I belong to many vegan groups and the question posted above is a common question. And, among the vegans I know, the most common answer is that they liked meat and enjoyed it but would no longer consume it. They still want to enjoy burgers, meatballs, hot dogs, tacos, etc. so they chose the plant-based or vegan versions. And yeah, the shapes of foods aren't a problem for vegans and plant-based folks.

Anyhow, there should not be the "I'm more vegan than you" kind of mentality. Any effort towards the health of people, animals, and the environment is a step forward.

Oh, and I gave the vegans' explanation because the meme specifically addressed vegans, not plant-based people, etc. I am vegan and do not call myself plant-based. The super health conscious folks are the Whole Foods Plant Based folks (no animal products, no processed foods, no sugars, no oils). I am definitely NOT that. LOL. I am somewhere between junk food vegan and health-conscious vegan.

@graceylou I am from Texass and our family often had meat for meals. However, there were 6 of us kids (later a 7th was born but by then I was gone) so there wasn't money for fancy cuts of meat. When I met my 2nd partner she said she would not eat pork as pigs were too intelligent and she had a problem with eating such an intelligent being. Later we returned to the US and started hearing NPR especially when it came to meat. We slowly removed this item from our diet. Later I got involved with Earth Save and learned other sides of this issue. As I mentioned it was a process of evolving. I was never greatly fond of meat so it was no big deal. There are so many other things to eat and closing the meat door actually opened many other ones. My present problem is I have a mild reaction to gluten. A blood antigen test also showed a strong reaction to all dairy, sesame and sunflower seeds. Needles to say I don't go out very much. I know how to cook and consider myself a good one so all is well.
So many details and different perspectives. Plant based versus vegan.

@JackPedigo My family was never big consumers of meat and dairy to start with. Currently I live in rural beef country, with way more cattle than humans in the local populations. It’s naturally assumed everyone eats meat especially beef. It’s a bit difficult to be a vegan in this environment but not impossible. We don’t need fancy products manufactured to be plant-based or vegan friendly. I need veggies, grains, legumes, fruits, various baking ingredients, etc. I don’t need packaged burger patties, sausages, and such. I don’t look down on those who do eat plenty of the processed stuff. I use a few of the processed products now and again mostly because my SO was a big meat lover and he wants something similar but vegan friendly. He is eating mostly plant-based, rarely any meats, and just a small amount of dairy. We both enjoy the meals and treats I make and he’s also good at cooking vegan. I have to say that others around here think I pushed my beliefs and habits on him but I didn’t. I don’t particularly focus on health, as I have mentioned, but nonetheless he lost quite a bit of unwanted weight and his health has much improved. Weight loss, better health, and amazing food, what else would he need. Friends have given him meats and such and he mostly threw them away.

@JackPedigo Oh and I’m allergic to numerous foods (allergic to many non-food items too). Luckily there are still so many vegan friendly foods that I can eat or substitute with. I’m not gluten intolerant or celiac but I do know numerous gluten free recipes.

@graceylou In our area vegetarian and vegan are very common. Most of Western Washington is super plant based friendly and a vegetarian friend with a vegan daughter just tole me she bought stock in Impossible meat for $20 a share. She bought over a hundred shares and has now made a big profit.
We also have meat farms and one gross event happened at a farm which has a sauna with pond. A group of women were in the sauna and went into the pond at the same time a slaughter truck was working. A lot of people got really grossed out.

@graceylou Thank you for this explanation. I don't really like red meat at all. I've never eaten beef or pork because my diet stuck with me even after I left home. I haven't had a lamb chop or roast lamb for maybe 6 months. I mostly eat chicken breast, fish - not all types) and vegetables. I can cook vegetables just about every way and its tasty. The Indian way is my favourite way. It doesn't sting but great flavour. I am thinking of just going fish and vegetables. What would I be if I ate fish, milk and vegetables. A pesca-lacto-tarian? Lol

@graceylou I have never eaten sausages, Viennas burgers etc. I make my own fish and chicken patties but not for inbetween round rolls. (I mince the chicken breasts) It's tasty on its own with other tasty vegetarian dishes. I am fussy with food too. I worry about take aways so not fond of it. Oh and I do eat lobster and prawn/langoustines.

@TimeOutForMe I think flexatarian might be an easier general term for those eating less meat and other animal products. But you can choose to label yourself or you can choose not to. Everyone is on a continuum really. Vegan, however, is a separate term because it’s not particularly about eating or about food. It’s not a term for a diet. It’s an ethical point of view that guides how one lives. Of course, eating is part of one’s lifestyle so foods are often discussed. Vegans eat strictly plant-based foods but not all plant-based eaters are vegans. But whatever the reason, if it’s about harming animals and the planet less, does it matter.

I know many hunters farmers butchers and culinary judges who marvel at the marble ......fat around the prime rib ......antlers on top of the tv ......sharp shooters aiming at the cardiac covered by ribs to keep the trail of blood and runaway path short .....true enough typical store shoppers don't want to see the cow or pig chart where to slash & slice grind and PACKAGE dead animals with eyes looking back at you from the pig roast fund raiser for politicians

@Larry68Feminist yes, true enough.

It should be called beef, fish or chicken burger I agree because pork is not used