Foodies vs. Vegans
In the past few years I’ve become interested in good food. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself a foodie, because I acknowledge that as a picky eater I miss out on a lot of things that are delicious to most other people. But I’ve taken to eating in nicer restaurants, and attempting to cook more exciting meals at home, and trying more new foods. What surprised me, however, is that so many Americans in the foodie community are staunchly anti-vegan.
I think this all boils down to simple misunderstanding. Most of the basic arguments I hear are criticisms of vegan ethics, and accusations of elitism. Sadly, the two probably have more in common than the critics think.
For almost 5 years I was vegan. It originally began with a bad meat experience, but later became my protest against factory farming and it’s detrimental effects on the American working family, the environment, and labor as a whole. But also, because I’ve always been such a picky eater, it became this wonderful opportunity to expand my horizons. I was forced to try new things I would not have otherwise. Many of my favorite foods now I wouldn’t have touched before I was vegan. I got to a point where I was interested in eating meat again (I met a slice of pizza I was no match for) but I still didn’t want to support factory farming. That in mind, I generally try to buy all of my meat from unionized butchers and local farmers. Obviously, this isn’t alwasys easy and every time I go to a restaurant I don’t inquire about the origins of my food. But I am more cautious about where my food comes from than most.
I never made any outrageous claims about veganism, (and for the record I’ve only ever known one vegan who wouldn’t sleep with a non-vegan, the vegansexual movement is a sensationalist ploy designed to sell papers) never demanded anyone else stop eating meat, and I certainly never made any judgements about their morals. There is a simple fact though, which is that I know my body better than anyone else. I do not feel good when I eat dairy. I’m not lactose intolerant, but I do notice significant effects after consuming dairy products. Now, while not wanting to compare veganism to religion, people don’t seem to have such polarized views about people who keep kosher or choose not to eat shellfish for religious purposes. We try (or at least I do) to respect their beliefs and keep an open mind. Why can the same courtesy not be afforded vegans?
Even if you don’t agree with the ethics behind it, I think we can all agree that a diet consisting mainly of fruit and vegetables is a lot healthier than one consisting of hamburgers. And yes, carnivores too can choose to eat a balanced diet, but it’s much easier to do so with less temptation.
I don’t know how people get it in their head that all vegans go to someone else’s house, demand special food be prepared for them, or snub any food offered, and then proceed to show their host graphic videos of slaughter houses while performing a rain dance. You’ve been reading too much about PETA if that’s what you honestly believe all vegans are like. (Incidentally, despite what Anthony Bourdain must think, most vegans aren’t dining in indigenous villages turning their noses at food that would feed a family for a week) In fact, quite the opposite is true. When people find out you’re vegan they attempt to either taunt or convert you. They’ll constantly offer you steak or burgers, thinking the smell alone is enough to sway you. Yet, if I were to tell that same person I didn’t like broccoli, they probably wouldn’t try to offer me any. Somewhere along the lines people also got the notion that all vegans are some kind of hippie putting bean sprouts and tofu into everything they eat. Again, not true.
Recently there’s been a lot of talk about a recent NY Times article highlighting Freegans. The article is way off base, and basically a joke. Freegans are just cheap ass or punk rock vegans. They don’t want to participate in the economics of animal products, but beggars can’t be choosers. There is no Freegan subculture or movement. Does it make sense to me? No. But neither do people who recycle and then buy bottled water. They’re no more conflicted about their food / environmental politics than anyone else. Yet these ridiculous and insular vegans are what people choose to focus on. I’m so tired of people holding up that article about the vegan couple who starved their baby. They were idiots, it had nothing to do with being vegan. There are plenty of despicable meat eating idiots who have starved their babies as well. Idiots are idiots, plain and simple.
Let’s face it, the only real way to vote in this country is with your money. You can choose to support a political candidate. You can choose to buy an American made car. You can choose to buy only union made clothing. You can choose to buy fair trade products. You can also choose not to buy into factory farming. You can choose to not eat meat for any variety of ethical or personal reasons. I don’t see why this has to be at odds with someone who does not make the same decision?
If you think I can never truly enjoy food because I don’t want to eat foie gras, doesn’t that make you the elitist? I don’t think anyone is right or wrong, that’s a whole other debate. But I don’t believe animal products are a necessary ingredient for something to be edible.
For reference all one really need do is google “Bourdain and vegetarian” but here’s a couple links anyway:
