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. We 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 harm was I still causing 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 radical a change in practical terms than many potential converts might fear. Aside from reducing harm to animals, it can also deliver benefits for your health and the environment. Going vegan can also 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.

Vegans cause less harm to animals, their health and the environment.  For me, that's well worth the effort.

I enjoy vegan versions of meat and fish that look and taste largely like the real thing. I drink vegan wine, beer and spirits in generous measure. And I gave up cows milk, margarine and cheese for soya-based alternatives, none of which raise my cholesterol.

These and similar small changes have added up to a very big difference.

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).

I hope that this site may help others to understand why increasing numbers of people are choosing to become vegan. It would be wonderful if it helped to encourage even one visitor to at least give it a try.

Vegan-related articles and news

- Clone-derived meat entered UK food chain illegally in 2009 (bull aged 2 and a half) - confirmed by government regulator. Second slaughtered bull intercepted in July 2010. Third found in dairy herd. Reckon they're the only ones?

- EU official says "could be lots of milk from offspring of cloned animals in Europe" - has no figures, as there's "no need to notify".

- Clone-derived cattle embryos imported to UK from US (where clone-derived food is legal) since 2007 - no official checks made on offspring.

- 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!

- 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 and other items...