Why I Am Not A Vegan

Alright, so I am not a vegan. I honestly do wish that I was a vegan. I don't agree with animal cruelty and I find it horrifying how terrible meat-eating is for the environment. That being said, I just cannot properly sustain my body on a vegan diet. I have attempted to be a vegan. It made me really sick. I have a lot of trouble eating refined carbs, or carbs that come from grain. It spikes my blood sugar and makes me really ill. So, there isn't too much food I can eat on a vegan diet. It's basically fruit, veg, and legumes. Additionally, as a type 1 diabetic, you're really meant to eat a low-carb diet. It's just healthier for me. So, eating a high-carb/low-protein diet, like many vegans do, does not work for me.

Now, you might go, "Eat nuts then. Nuts have protein." That is somewhat true, however, nuts are extremely high in calories (Yes, I understand that the calorie argument is not a popular one). However, as a type 1 diabetic, it is extremely important that I maintain a healthy weight, and I calorie count for this reason. I've tried the whole "Just eat healthy food and don't worry about the calories" methodology and I gained a significant amount of weight which increased my insulin resistance (not good, mate). Additionally, I'm slightly allergic to nuts and if I eat a lot of them, I feel nauseated and inflamed. So, basically, trying to get a good source of protein/a large part of my nutrients from nuts does not fly for me.

Of course, legumes have protein, and I do eat a large amount of legumes. I've just found that the amount of protein I get from legumes isn't really enough for me. I get lightheaded and dizzy throughout the day if I try to eat only fruit, veg, and legumes.

That being said, I love veganism. I was raised as a vegetarian and my father is a vegan. I make most of the recipes I post on here vegan because I fully support the vegan movement, I don't eat dairy, and I just don't see why food shouldn't be vegan if there's a vegan alternative. There's no need for everything to have eggs and dairy in it. I try to eat as vegan as I possibly can. However, I, personally, need to eat a low-carb/high-protein diet because of my own body's needs.

Therefore, I really don't approve of moralistic veganism. Many people can't eat vegan for whatever reason, or just don't want to. I believe that what you eat is entirely up to you, and you shouldn't have to be carnivore-shamed. If you can eat vegan, if you want to eat vegan, if you do eat vegan, thank you! You are helping our environment and abstaining from animal cruelty. If you can't eat vegan, if you don't want to eat vegan, if you don't eat vegan, I fully support you. Don't let vegans shame you and tell you that if you just did this or that you would be fine. It is your body. It is your decision. Ultimately, no one else knows what's right for you besides you (and doctors/dieticians).