3 Reasons to Go Vegan (and Why I Did)

„Why are you vegan?“ Every vegan gets asked that question. The answer is, ultimately, deeply personal, but there are of course common motives. That’s why I thought I’d share my personal top reasons for choosing a vegan lifestyle, not as a quick trend or reset, but a way of life.

Reason #1: I Don’t Want Animals to Suffer

The reason I went vegan is the same reason I went vegetarian at 14: I didn’t want other beings to suffer for my food choices. Back then, it felt like „enough“ to simply skip the meat and fish. Over the years, I’ve learned more about how other animal products like dairy or eggs cause animals pain and exploit them for profit.

Let’s be very clear: The image of a happy pig, nestled in straw (like they love to be!), most likely has absolutely nothing to do with the life of the pig that was slaughtered for the bacon on your bread. The fluffy chick on a poster for an egg product may not even live that long, if it’s a male chick whose life ends seconds after its hatching because of the „wrong sex“. And most cows definitely don’t enjoy to stroll around on rolling hills and lush green pastures.

Learning about how animals are treated in industrial farming, about how they live their life in cramped spaces, often without ever seeing daylight, about how their babies are taken from them, about the physical pain they’re often in – all of that is not something I want to be part of. And while I know many people find the current food system abhorrent but would otherwise be okay with eating animals – if only those animals had lived a better life – I believe that taking another being’s life for 5 minutes of pleasure at dinner is not right. Choosing vegan, for me, means choosing compassion and kindness.

Reason #2: I Want to Nourish My Body

I would be vegan even if it was the worse choice for my health. Lucky for me, both things actually go together perfectly: I can be kinder to animals and also protect my body. While I’m not saying you can’t be healthy on an omnivore diet, several chronic illnesses from heart disease and diabetes to certain cancers seem to be linked to the consumption of animal foods. A more plant-focused diet is certainly a step in the right direction for most people.

Vegan doesn’t equal healthy, however. There are plenty of vegan convenience foods and snacks out there that certainly don’t contribute to a long and healthy life. A whole food, plant-based diet is key to lifespan and health span.

Studies show time and again that diets rich in whole plant foods, from vegetables and fruits to legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are linked to lower risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. A WFPB diet provides the body with plenty of fiber, which keeps your gut microbiome thriving and supports the immune system. A diet centered on whole plants nourishes the body, it helps maintain a healthy weight and promote long-term wellbeing. So why wouldn’t you choose to eat more plant-based?

Reason #3: I Want to Protect the Environment

Another reason to eat more plants an less animal products is the planet. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. For example, livestock production is responsible for about 14.5 % of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than all the world’s cars, planes, and trains combined. The production of animal products also uses a huge amount of resources. It can take up to 15,000 liters of water to produce a single kilogram of beef. Vast areas of forest are cleared every year for more space for livestock to graze on.

We farm cattle, pigs, chicken, and other livestock in such enormous numbers that wild animals now only make up around 4 % of all mammals. The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2024 showed that the numbers of animals in the wild have declined more than 70 % in the last 50 years.

By choosing plant-based foods, you’re reducing your ecological footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. Eating vegan isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a small way to care for the world we live in.

The Bottom Line?

So I went vegan when taking care of my body was not yet high on my agenda. It just reflected my personal values at the time. Those values haven’t changed, but I take my health a lot more seriously now – so I’m happy that being vegan aligns with not just my ethical values, but my health goals, too.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, though. Even small changes, like including more plant-based meals per week, make a real difference over time – for the animals, your health, and the planet.

What’s your reason for being vegan or thinking of eating more plant-based? Do you find it easy or is anything holding you back to jump in more fully? Let me know in the comments!