It started when I was 9 years old, on holiday in Florida in the USA. I can’t remember exactly what triggered it maybe a conservation about where meat came from. But I decided in that moment that I would become a vegetarian and never eat meat again, it was just like something had clicked in my head- I had understood what meat really was and I was horrified. My vegetarianism was just based on a feeling, I didn’t know any facts or statistics, there was no YouTube videos then, it was just an instinct. My parents asked me to at least wait until we got home to the UK but I was adamant and have not touched meat ever since. My parents where really good at cooking veggie food for me. I was veggie for years to come, at school people where always confused by it, I was always asked why? what did I eat? and sometimes made to feel like I was been awkward or weird!
I went vegan in 2015. I hadn’t thought that much about eggs and dairy, just naively believing they were not cruel. Around this time more vegan videos started to be shared around the Internet and I finally learnt the truth. I started working in a new place that served a vegan menu, met some new friends who where vegans and saw what they shared on FB. I quickly learnt a lot, frustrated that I was only just finding this out now.
I became vegan purely for ethical reasons but have since learnt about the positive effects a vegan diet has on the environment and our health.
I would urge anyone reading to look into veganism, do some research. I have a balanced diet eating a massive range of foods, there is so much you can eat and it’s way easier than it is perceived to be! Please think about where your food comes from and the impact it has on other living things.
