Veganism often finds itself at the centre of heated debates. While many arguments against veganism are rooted in genuine concerns or misunderstandings, some are downright absurd. And also kinda hilarious!
Let’s take a look at the most ridiculous anti-vegan arguments and why they don’t hold up under scrutiny…
1. “Plants Have Feelings Too”
One of the most eyebrow-raising arguments against veganism is the claim that plants have feelings, so vegans are still causing harm.
While it’s true that plants can respond to stimuli, they lack the central nervous system and brain necessary to experience pain or emotions as animals do. The difference between cutting a carrot and slaughtering a cow is vast and obvious.
If someone truly cared about plant suffering, they’d go vegan anyway. Animal agriculture requires far more plants to feed animals than if we ate plants directly, making a plant-based diet the most efficient way to reduce plant “deaths”.
2. “Humans Are Designed to Eat Meat”
The argument that humans are naturally meant to eat meat often ignores our evolutionary adaptability and the findings of modern nutritional science.
While our ancestors may have eaten meat, our bodies have evolved to thrive on a variety of diets. We lack the sharp teeth and claws of true carnivores, and our long digestive tracts are more similar to herbivores.
Numerous studies have shown that well-planned vegan diets can meet all our nutritional needs and even offer health benefits. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that appropriately planned vegan diets are healthful and nutritionally adequate for all stages of life.
3. “Veganism Is Expensive and Elitist”
The notion that veganism is a luxury only afforded by the wealthy is a common misconception.
In reality, many of the world’s cheapest staple foods are vegan: rice, beans, lentils, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. It’s often the processed vegan alternatives and specialty items that drive up the cost, but these aren’t necessary for a healthy vegan diet.
In fact, a study published in The Lancet found that in high-income countries, vegan diets were the most affordable and reduced food costs by up to one-third.
4. “But Lions Eat Meat!”
The “lions eat meat” argument is a classic example of faulty logic. We are not lions, nor do we base our moral decisions on the behaviour of wild animals.
Lions are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to survive. Humans, on the other hand, are omnivores with the ability to thrive on plant-based diets.
Moreover, lions don’t have supermarkets, moral agency, or the ability to consider the ethical implications of their actions. We do, and with that comes the responsibility to make choices that minimise harm.
5. “Vegans Kill More Animals Through Crop Farming”
This argument ignores a fundamental principle of ecology: trophic levels.
It’s true that crop farming does result in some animal deaths. However, it takes far more crops to feed animals for meat production than it does to feed humans directly. This means that a meat-eater is responsible for more crop deaths than a vegan.
For example, it takes about 7 kg of grain to produce 1 kg of beef. By eating plants directly, we significantly reduce the number of animals harmed in crop production.
6. “You Can’t Get Enough Protein on a Vegan Diet”
The protein myth is one of the most persistent misconceptions about vegan diets.
In reality, it’s entirely possible to meet and even exceed protein requirements on a plant-based diet. Foods like lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, and seeds are excellent sources of protein.
Many successful athletes, including Venus Williams and Lewis Hamilton, follow vegan diets, proving that plant-based eating can fuel even the highest levels of athletic performance.
7. “Veganism Is Unnatural and Unhealthy”
Contrary to this claim, well-planned vegan diets are not only healthy but can offer significant health benefits.
The British Dietetic Association confirms that a well-planned vegan diet can support healthy living in people of all ages. Studies have linked vegan diets to lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers.
As for being “unnatural”, many aspects of modern life could be considered unnatural, including the way most meat is produced. The appeal to nature is a logical fallacy that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
8. “Animals Don’t Suffer in Modern Farming”
This argument often stems from a lack of awareness about the realities of factory farming.
The truth is, the vast majority of animals raised for food live in cramped, unsanitary conditions and endure significant suffering. Practices like debeaking chickens, tail docking pigs, and separating calves from their mothers are standard in the industry.
Documentaries like “Dominion” provide eye-opening insights into the realities of modern animal agriculture, revealing the cognitive dissonance many people hold about where their food comes from.
9. “Vegans Are Pushy and Judgemental”
While it’s true that some vegans can be overzealous in their advocacy, it’s unfair to characterise all vegans this way.
Most vegans are simply passionate about reducing animal suffering and environmental damage. Their “pushiness” often comes from a place of genuine concern and a desire to share information that they wish they had known earlier.
It’s worth noting that many people perceive veganism as a personal attack on their choices, which can lead to defensive reactions and the perpetuation of this stereotype.
10. “One Person Can’t Make a Difference”
This argument underestimates the power of individual choice and its ripple effects.
Every person who goes vegan saves nearly 200 animals per year. Moreover, individual choices influence those around us and contribute to larger societal shifts.
The rapid growth of the plant-based food market is a testament to the collective impact of individual choices. According to Bloomberg, the plant-based foods market could make up to 7.7% of the global protein market by 2030.
11. “Animals Will Take Over”
One of the most absurd arguments is the idea that if we stop eating animals, they’ll overpopulate and run amok in our cities.
This argument fails to understand how supply and demand work in animal agriculture. Farmers breed animals in response to demand. If more people go vegan, fewer animals will be bred in the first place.
The shift towards veganism would be gradual, allowing for a controlled reduction in farm animal populations. We wouldn’t suddenly be overrun by cows and chickens!
Also, many farm animals have been selectively bred to grow unnaturally large and fast, making them ill-suited for survival in the wild. The idea of herds of cattle taking over our streets is more science fiction than reality.
12. “Cows Need To Be Milked”
The notion that cows need to be milked or they’ll explode is a fundamental misunderstanding of bovine biology.
Like all mammals, cows produce milk for their young. They don’t need to be milked if they’re not producing milk for their calves. In the dairy industry, cows are kept in a constant cycle of pregnancy and lactation to maintain milk production.
The reality is far from the idyllic image of happy cows gratefully being milked. Dairy cows are typically separated from their calves shortly after birth, causing distress to both mother and calf. Male calves, who can’t produce milk, are often sold for veal production.
This argument ignores the ethical issues surrounding the dairy industry and perpetuates misleading ideas about animal agriculture.
The Bottom Line
These absurd anti-vegan arguments often stem from misconceptions, lack of information, or attempts to justify deeply ingrained habits.
By critically examining these claims, we can have more informed discussions about veganism and its impact on animals, health, and the environment.
Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s important to base our dietary choices on facts rather than myths or logical fallacies.