Maybe I should revert back to lacto-vegetarianism...

[ThatNerdyScienceGirl]

What's the point of even trying when being a health-based vegan isn't welcome in the vegan community? I went to ask if health-based vegans are welcome on Reddit and got attacked for not being an ethical vegan, and calling out a few VERY snarky and attack-ready people. Apparently I have no reason to stay vegan, I am just doing this because it is trendy, I am not really a vegan because I am a "carnist", etc.

At least when I was lacto-vegetarian I was happier. I worried less about vitamin consumption and fat intake, and didn't feel as if the vegan community hated me for not actively protesting animal slaughterhouses.

Right now, I don't know why I even bothered going veg in the first place. Maybe I just need some sleep, because the hate I keep seeing from the community is annoying... idk, what do you guys think?

[brimstoneSalad]

People attack Unnatural Vegan all of the time for not being vegan, when the simple reality is that she's just not a dogmatist (she is vegan). That's a good thing. Don't be afraid of being a black sheep in any group; just keep your wits about you and don't let them get you down.

As you indicated elsewhere, although your major motivation in giving up dairy may be health, you do have ethical principles too.
You understand that the way dairy is produced today is environmentally unsustainable, cruel, and that the dairy products themselves are unnecessary. And you certainly understand all of that and more about meat. Nothing about that is carnist ideology.

It's just refusing to drink the kool-aid of absolutism people are having a problem with, because they know they can't substantiate it themselves.

It might help if you described yourself as an ethical vegetarian and a health/convenience based vegan -- because ethical dairy simply isn't accessible/convenient to come by, and none of it is really healthy anyway. Tentative vegan could also work.

If you don't like the vegan label, there's nothing wrong with calling yourself a vegetarian, and still not eating dairy (just don't append the lacto- part to it). I rarely use the word "vegan".


Reddit sounds like an echo chamber. I wouldn't take them too seriously. Everybody's an asshole on the internet anyway.

[ThatNerdyScienceGirl]

People attack Unnatural Vegan all of the time for not being vegan, when the simple reality is that she's just not a dogmatist (she is vegan). That's a good thing. Don't be afraid of being a black sheep in any group; just keep your wits about you and don't let them get you down.

As you indicated elsewhere, although your major motivation in giving up dairy may be health, you do have ethical principles too.
You understand that the way dairy is produced today is environmentally unsustainable, cruel, and that the dairy products themselves are unnecessary. And you certainly understand all of that and more about meat. Nothing about that is carnist ideology.

It's just refusing to drink the kool-aid of absolutism people are having a problem with, because they know they can't substantiate it themselves.

It might help if you described yourself as an ethical vegetarian and a health/convenience based vegan -- because ethical dairy simply isn't accessible/convenient to come by, and none of it is really healthy anyway. Tentative vegan could also work.

If you don't like the vegan label, there's nothing wrong with calling yourself a vegetarian, and still not eating dairy (just don't append the lacto- part to it). I rarely use the word "vegan".


Reddit sounds like an echo chamber. I wouldn't take them too seriously. Everybody's an asshole on the internet anyway.

I understand that. I still want the label of vegan, as it best describes me. I know there is nothing wrong with vegetarian, but still.

You're right though. Reddit does seem to be an echo chamber, and I should not take the overt criticism of extremists seriously.

[knot]

/r/vegan seems to have quite a few mean-spirited dorks who are fast to comment but get voted down heavily eventually

Just look at the bottom comments on the post about Sam Harris going vegan, lol...


Anyway, I can't find the video, ,but Emily from bitesizevegan has made a good point in the past that it doesn't really matter what kinda vegan you are

[ThatNerdyScienceGirl]

/r/vegan seems to have quite a few mean-spirited dorks who are fast to comment but get voted down heavily eventually

Just look at the bottom comments on the post about Sam Harris going vegan, lol...


Anyway, I can't find the video, ,but Emily from bitesizevegan has made a good point in the past that it doesn't really matter what kinda vegan you are

I LOVE the videos she does about crazy exclusive vegans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na1n-g7QS90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN0HFTTrtr4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOH1wbjfM-g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcv2lOOJYI8

It makes me feel better for not being a purist vegan.

[TheLastOstrich]

As a primarily ethical vegan I couldn't care less what your motivations for veganism are, so long as you don't support the animal industry. However, I would mind if you went lacto-vegetarian, and I think that most vegans would agree with me.

[Kim_Bo_Kastekniv]

Nope, I dont. We have to understand that many people don't have what it takes. The reason being tradition, habit or cultural, it doesn't matter. We do what we can, with the means we have available.

Don't let them bring you down NerdySienceGirl, be it health or ethical, a vegan is a vegan.

Much support

[ThatNerdyScienceGirl]

Thankyou, all of you! I will remain a vegan because that's what works best for me. If the naysayers and purists don't think my reasons are good enough, so be it.