1) FOR YOUR HEALTH!
Let’s face it, with the stress levels in this city going through the roof, it is no surprise we have managed to open doors to uninvited guests, a.k.a. lifestyle diseases.
Research has shown that plant based diets which are low in saturated fat and cholesterol have been able to not only prevent, but also reverse type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure & heart diseases.
2) FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: MEAT ISN'T GREEN!
The United Nations says that raising animals for food is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global.”
The meat and dairy industry is a leading cause of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, a growing number of endangered species, pollution, water depletion and land degradation!
What kind of legacy are we leaving for our future generations?
3) ETHICAL REASONS.
Most people in Hong Kong would have heard of and feel repulsed by the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
That is precisely how vegans feel towards all animals- the cute and cuddly ones we call pets as well as the ill-fated ones that end up on our plate.
Once we make the connection, we realise that kindness should be extended to ALL animals. After all, they too experience pleasure, fear and pain.
4) SOCIAL EQUALITY.
There are 1 billion malnourished people on our planet, out of which 6 million are children who starve to death each year.
This is in part due to the fact that it takes 7 kilos of grain to produce only one pound of beef and around 50% of the grains produced worldwide is used just to feed animal livestock.
Going vegan is a simple method to stand against inefficient food systems which disproportionately affects the poorest people all over the world.
5) LOSE WEIGHT!
Going vegan is an effortless way to shed those extra pounds and maintain a healthy BMI!
Many Hongkongers suffer from the “skinny fat” syndrome, i.e. a lean appearance on the outside but fat surrounding the organs (mainly liver) on the inside.
Limiting or preferably eliminating consumption of animal fats and sugar helps to reduce this nasty and silent time bomb!
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author's own and do not necessarily represent the official position of More Chaos.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VARSHA MANKANI BHAT
Currently based in Hong Kong, Varsha gave up meat at the tender age of 10 after encountering the city's infamous butcher shops.
Inspired by a speech made by renowned vegan Dr. Will Tuttle in 2016, she decided to go one step further by fully adopting a vegan lifestyle in view of its perceived ethical, environmental and social benefits.
She actively promotes veganism under the Instagram handle "veganbellyhk"- be sure to look her up for a tantalising visual guide to the best vegan meals and eateries in Hong Kong!