Typically there are three reasons why someone chooses to go vegan: the environment, their own health, and for the sake of the animals. But every vegan has their own reasons.
The Charlatan spoke to various students at Carleton University about why they chose a vegan lifestyle.
Shannon LeBlanc, third-year psychology
“My family runs a special medical needs animal sanctuary, so when I was eating meat, I was always faced with moral conflict,” LeBlanc said on why she was drawn to veganism. “It left me wondering, why eat some animals and save the others? Doesn’t that seem kind of arbitrary?”
She added that being vegan has “allowed her to adopt a healthier lifestyle” and made her more of a compassionate and altruistic person.
LeBlanc has been vegan for nearly 10 years, so she said veganism has become part of her identity.
“I consider it to be part of who I am and how other people see me,” she said.
Varun Joshi, fourth-year sociology and history
Joshi has been vegan for six months, and said his diet has reliably anchored his depression and anxiety.
“[It] gives me empowerment, an outlet, and a sense of control,” he said.
Since choosing to go vegan, Joshi said he has lost 40 pounds and has also found himself more interested in preparing healthy meals. He added that buying ingredients for original recipes every week helps him feel more in control of his life.
Matthew Fors, third-year computer science
Fors said he was raised vegetarian and went vegan just over a year and a half ago after his girlfriend began looking into veganism.
He added that learning about how the dairy, livestock, and meat industries treat animals pushed him to go vegan.
“It felt like a logical step to turn to veganism, as all of the reasons I was vegetarian applied for veganism too,” Fors said.
Fors is now an activist for vegan groups, and is the founder and president of the Carleton Animal Defense, a new club at Carleton dedicated to eliminating the suffering of animals—the main reason he said he adopted a meat-free lifestyle.
“Leading a vegan lifestyle and participating in animal rights activism is all attributed to the fact that I want to eliminate animal suffering,” he said.
By living as a vegan, Fors said he believes he is living according to his morals and values.
Carolyn Harris, first-year history
Harris has been vegan for six and a half years for ethical reasons—she doesn’t want her lifestyle to hurt animals.
But learning about the health benefits of veganism are another reason for Harris to stay vegan.
“Plant-based foods don’t contain cholesterol, and according to the Dieticians of Canada, vegans have been found to have lower rates of obesity, cancer, and heart disease,” she said.
