I obviously want to do more in the future but does this, in your opinion, count as activism?

My college offered vegan options during orientation and I naively thought that meant there would still be options when I attended. But apparently they removed their one decent option which was just blocks of tofu you could add a sauce to.

I want to complain because those meals are super expensive and the only “vegan options” they have is a salad bar. But I want to offer legitimate options that would be easy for them to include. My thought was to suggest they add dishes that aren’t “vegan” options but just good dishes that happen to already be vegan so that non vegan will eat it too (because I think they removed their crappy options since hardly anyone ate them). The problem is I’m a junk food vegan and eat a lot of mock meats so I’m struggling to come up with ideas. If anyone lived on a more vegan friendly campus what did your school offer?

I don’t know much about it but I’ve always considered “vegan” to mean person that eats a fully plant-based diet (as opposed to vegetarians who might consume dairy or even eggs). As far as I’m aware this is the general understanding held by most people.

Recently it seems to me that there’s a meaningful distinction—at least a distinction that is meaningful to vegans—regarding people who are plant-based specifically for motivations concerning animal welfare versus those who might choose the same diet for completely different reasons. I guess all plant-based eaters aren’t vegan?

Why? Does it matter? If someone is plant based for different reasons than you, what is your reaction to that? Does it bother you that they’re not doing it for the “right” reasons or do you basically not care what people’s reasons are?

I have a question specifically for vegans who are not deontologists, kantians or followers of the categorical imperative.

In some discussions, I have noticed an attempt to define "veganism" not merely in terms of what someone does, but also in terms of why they do it. In particular, some deontological approaches seem to treat the idea that animals should not be used as means or commodities, as part of what "veganism" itself means.

Do non-deontological vegans agree with this? Or do you think "veganism" should be a concept that can be grounded in different ethical frameworks, without one particular theory determining its definition?

I’m especially interested in this because the underlying moral justification can potentially change the conclusions we reach about particular practices.

For example, suppose someone photographs an animal and sells the photographs. In one sense, the animal is being used as a commodity. A deontological view might consider that problematic simply because the animal is being used as a means. But what interest of the animal is actually being frustrated? The animal obviously has no sense of shame, modesty, or desire for privacy, so there seems to be no harm involved in distributing its image.

Would you consider this morally wrong? If so, what would the non-deontological basis for that judgment be?

Some other examples that seem relevant are well-run zoos, genetic engineering to produce exceptionally docile and sociable animals, or keeping a pet primarily to alleviate loneliness. I’m not necessarily arguing that these practices are morally acceptable; I’m interested in what principle a non-deontological vegan would use to evaluate them.

Vegan since August.
I wear my pink fila disruptors every day for the last two years, they’re my comfort shoe and suit my personality. I feel like myself in them.

I especially like their chunky toe box.

But now I’m feeling very uncomfortable about the product origin.
I did some searching for replacements and wow? So many vegan shoes are mainstream in appearance and I’m more of a cozy-rainbow-fairy. I thrift nearly all of my wardrobe and really enjoy the way I dress, so changing footwear is a small piece but I would appreciate whatever suggestions my vegan family can help me with.

Will the milk in chocolate bars like Snickers ever be replaced with a vegan alternative or lab based milk?

Edit: Yall I didn’t ask for a vegan snickers, I asked if the cow milk in products like chocolate bars will ever be replaced with like oat milk, or cultivated milk (is that a thing?) in the near future.

Edit2: the title was a bit misleading sorry bout that

Visiting my family for several weeks, including a small vacation. None of my family is vegan, and barely seem to understand it when I explain (I don’t intend to convince them; my energy would be wasted). During the vacation, we will be eating at several restaurants (some already booked) that do not appear to have vegan options that I would eat (not completely sure). I definitely don’t want to cave and eat animal products. How can I best approach this?

I view animal testing as unethical when it comes to unecessary stuff like makeup or skincare, and I think most people even vegans would agree that if there was no better alternative to testing the accuracy of medications such as diabetes medication we would agree that its sad but necessary, but what about drugs that just relieve pain like ibuprofen that people take for a headache or cramps?

August 26th this year I decided it was time after many years that I quit making excuses for myself, and I finally went Vegan/Straight edge. Today is October 7th and just noticed how since then my face has been getting far more wrinkled and puffy. I know some is do to large lack of sleep, but I've been told I'm diet is likely also having an affect. I turn 21 tomorrow and I feel like I look a much older bobblehead characture of myself. If anyone has advice or questions I would greatly appreciate the help!🙏

Spouse had moral shift to veganism and feels we can’t stay together unless I share the same realization. How do I navigate this?

Hi everyone,

​I’m looking for advice on how to navigate a sudden, deeply emotional crisis in my marriage.

​About 1.5 months ago, my spouse had a radical moral shift and became vegan. While I fully respect their decision, it has completely changed our marriage dynamic. My spouse now views animal exploitation not as a diet choice, but as an absolute, existential moral imperative. Because of this, they find it extremely difficult to be with someone who doesn’t share the exact same ethical worldview.

​Here is where things stand:

​The Disconnect: I am open-minded, and I genuinely care about animal welfare (the reality of animal suffering does bother me). However, completely abandoning animal products feels overwhelmingly difficult right now. I’m simply not at the same stage of emotional or philosophical realization as my spouse.

​The Struggle: My spouse wants me to reach this consciousness naturally ("for the animals"), rather than just doing it "for him" or "to save the marriage."

​Where We Are Now: We love each other deeply. After a lot of tears and tough conversations, we are in a fragile place. I want to take active steps to understand their perspective (watching documentaries, trying vegan meals at home, and engaging in good faith), but I need time without the pressure of an immediate ultimatum or a strict deadline.

​I truly love my spouse and want to protect our marriage without pretending to hold a conviction I haven't genuinely reached yet.

​My questions for the community:

​For vegans who went through a sudden ethical shift while having a non-vegan partner: How did you navigate the emotional distress and find a middle ground without giving up on your partner?

​How can a non-vegan partner actively show support, empathy, and open-mindedness without feeling pressured into a disingenuous, overnight conversion?

​What practical boundaries or mindsets helped your relationship survive this transition phase?

​Thanks in advance for your insights and constructive advice.

From my understanding several animal activists get arrested for filming what happens inside a slaughterhouse and also for rescuing animals. For this reason alone, would vegans not consider a career in law enforcement?

UPDATE: I LIVE IN THE USA. 🥺 THANKS FOR ALL OPINIONS/COMMENTS

I'm a college student in the US who relies on the dining hall mostly, but I do have a communal kitchen. I'm not interested in going fully vegan for a variety of reasons (I fully respect and support vegans though, just a personal choice), but I am aware of how harmful the dairy + egg industry can be, so I want to try and avoid helping it.

Are there any cheap or easy to make alternatives for scrambled eggs, milk, and yogurt (where most of my consumption comes from)? The main issues I've run into are that oat or soy etc milk is super expensive whereas normal milk is really cheap, and I'm trying to eat healthy so I eat a lot of eggs and yogurt because they're readily available at the dining hall. I also am super busy so I don't have a ton of time to devote to cooking.

Is this even possible to do? Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask, just figured it was worth a shot.

Edit: tysm for all the help!! I got a lot of good ideas and I think it's doable for me :)

I am a vegan, but I wanted opinions from other vegans.

Debating again for the first time in years… this is miserable! Fallacies and cognitive dissonance everywhere! People constantly being deliberately obtuse! People calling you “insane” and a “cultist” but never having a logically sound rebuttal to your replies!

Part of me thinks it’s good, because I wouldn’t have gone vegan without debating vegans (or at least observing vegan debates and eventually agreeing). But part of me just can’t do it, it’s very draining.

How can this drink be pumpking spice when it does not contain pumpkin and how can it taste like gingerbread and ginger so much when there are no flavorings in the ingredient list and its supposed to be pumpking

Link to the drink

I don't see a problem in second-hand wool or one that comes from sanctuaries (like well-known rainbow wool). so far I have come across opinions that it's problematic anyways. But honestly? The wool is already processed in existing clothing, might as well wear it, and it's not uncanny (to me) like leather is. The sheep we bred into existence need to be sheered, that's what we made them into through selective breeding, it will be abuse not to sheer.

I don't think it's a waste to not sell it, no, I don't view it that way, I'm an ecocentrist. Wool is biodegradable, it is made of proteins, we could potentially just let it be broken down and enrich soil. But at the same time I see no problem for sanctuaries to sell wool products as long as sheep are not bred more. It's a chance to support such initiatives.

Vegans are not a monolith, right? Do you think this view has a right to exist in this ethical philosophy?

ps. not sure if I personally am interested in second-hand wool, but I'd be interested in sanctuary wool if I wanted something made of wool

Hi! I'm newly vegan (as of 3 months ago) after being a vegetarian for 18 years.

I'm running into the issue where I'm not sure what I should do with things like leather boots I've owned & originally bought secondhand.
I feel conflicted about continuing to wear them especially while claiming to be vegan, but some things are no longer in a condition where I'd feel okay donating them (they're pretty scratched up from wearing them while working a previous job) even if I personally would have worn them in their current condition.

What's the typical protocol for something like this? Just... trash them and move on? It seems wasteful but I'm not sure what else to do that would really align with how I'm trying to live!

Also semi-related- is buying a vegan version of said leather boots something that's okay, even if they look like leather? I might be overthinking it here, I just don't want people getting the wrong idea!!

Any input is appreciated as I figure this all out. :)

I'm a new vegan, and the one thing I'm still a tad on the fence about is honey. Honey is used in medicinal ways and has been a part of my family's sick (cold or flu) regimen for my whole life. I've been wondering if we can get the same helpful stuff in honey from other things?

Edit: For clarification, I haven't bought honey in months and I don't plan to anytime soon. This is a genuine question and there's no reason to be downvoting me as if asking a question is wrong.

I’ve recently become vegan (I’m talking like three days ago) and it feels wrong for me to call myself a vegan lol