Why I'm Vegan

People always ask why I'm vegan. I don't like to go around and stand on my soapbox preaching my convictions. So if you're one of those souls who seriously wonder why I'm vegan and whether or not I'm getting enough protein, this is for you: 

1. Compassion 

• Working conditions at confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are unhealthy, dangerous and extreme. (more)
• Company profits consistently take priority over workers' most basic rights. (more)
• Nearly one in three slaughterhouse workers suffers from illness or injury every year, compared to one in 10 workers in other manufacturing jobs. (more)
• Though some 800 million people on the planet now suffer from hunger or malnutrition, the majority of corn and soy grown in the world feeds cattle, pigs and chickens. (more)
• Methods of killing animals causes unnecessary pain.

2. Health

• Disease prevention (more) 
• Bacteria in meat is becoming antibiotic resistant (more)
• Unacceptable levels of contamination are caused by the filthy conditions in which conventional food animals are raised, as well as the high speed at which meat is processed (more)

3. Environmental

• Researchers at the University of Chicago concluded that switching from a standard American diet to a vegan diet is more effective in the fight against climate change than switching from a standard American car to a hybrid. (more)
• According to the Water Education Foundation, it takes 2,464 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef in California. In contrast, only 25 gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of wheat. (more)
• The international meat industry generates roughly 18% of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions (more)

4. Political

• The USDA has been heavily populated with industry insiders and Big Ag representatives (more)
• Top four meat companies control about 80 percent of output (more)
• The meat industry in the United States is a powerful political force, both in the legislative and the regulatory arena (more)

Why I'm getting enough protein:

• Kashi cereal has 6 grams of protein plus vitamin B12 and B6
• My soy or almond milk has around 7 grams of protein
• 1 avocado has 4 grams of protein and 29 grams of (good) fat
• 7 grams of protein in peanut butter
• 5 grams in my oatmeal
• 10.1 grams in half-cup of tofu
• 13 grams in my lunch veggie  meat
• 5 grams in a serving of cashews plus 12 grams of fat

I'm not saying my diet is right or wrong for everyone. But don't put others way of life down without considering their point.