The actor and activist said that she went vegetarian at the age of nine because she was “very attached to animals,” and added that the environmental impact of factory farming became more of a priority as she got older. Portman first adopted a vegan diet around 2011.

“I think it’s basic empathy that I understood as a child, and understanding […] animals as like myself,” said Portman. She highlighted the role of anthropomorphized characters in cartoons in evoking empathy for animals, an idea that some research papers echo.

She also noted how animal rights and welfare intersect with “so many” other issues, including feminism, labor struggles, and migrant’s rights, including through the industry’s treatment of workers, animals, and specifically in its violent treatment of “female bodies.”

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Portman made the comments while appearing during the closing ceremony of Change NOW’s 2025 conference in conversation with CEO and founder Santiago Lefebvre. The event was a three-day “summit” focused on networking and the discussion of sustainability, resources, and “inclusion.” Other attendees included Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson and Earthshot Prize CEO Hannah Jones, along with other activists and prominent figures.

Read more: ‘I Tried Natalie Portman’s Favorite Vegan Weekday Dish’

‘Every time you eat, you’re thinking about your commitment’

In April, a new study by two of the UK’s leading plant-based healthcare professionals – PBHP’s Dr Shireen Kassam and Dr Laura Jane Smith – highlighted how promoting meat-free diets could help tackle the “intertwined crises” of poor health, food shortages, climate change, biodiversity loss and social injustice, all of which are driven by human activities.

“It’s so connected to so many other issues that it has become a very big part of my life,” Portman told Lefebvre. “And also is a way, I think, you can express your commitment three times a day. […]. Every time you eat, you’re thinking about your commitment to the environment, to nature, to animals, to your values.”

Read more: Is Natalie Portman Vegan? Everything She’s Said About The Movement

This article was written by Liam Pritchett on the PBN Website.

McCall said she didn’t know why she felt that way. “I don’t want to give up meat,” she said. But now she hardly eats any red meat and finds eating any meat “less and less attractive.”

Read more: How To Watch ‘Uplifting’ New Vegan Documentary ‘Food For Thought’

McNeill, who is vegan, replied: “When you start researching animal agriculture, it’s a one way ticket to plant-based eating. It’s gruesome.” McCall acknowledged that many people don’t want to think about it but “we all know that” deep down.

Interview controversy

The interview wasn’t without controversy, due to some of the comments made by McNeill. She is known for having sold all her belongings at the age of 50 to move to Portugal and posts about fitness, food, and lifestyle on social media as FiftySister.

McNeill said that she calls herself plant-based rather than vegan because “the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan is, vegetarians have friends. Most people don’t like vegans.” She said that while she has the “utmost respect” for “militant” vegans who “try and convert other people, I’m not here to convert anyone else.”

Following the episode going live, McNeill posted on Instagram to say that her inbox immediately started “filling up with abuse” from “carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, and vegans.”

She further explained her views in the interview with McCall. “I feel that I can show people that by eating plants, you can exercise everyday, you can have lots of energy … you can feel full, you can feel well,” she said.

Read more: Shreya Ghodawat Wins ‘Podcaster of the Year’ Award At IWAA 2024 For Vegan Podcast

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Read more: Why Are People Quitting Keto And Carnivore Diets?

Sigouin’s candid reflections explore the challenges and insights he gained, aiming to provide guidance for those transitioning to or navigating a vegan lifestyle, and particularly those who are interested in fitness and nutrition. From managing protein intake while training to dealing with criticism, these lessons will help everyone from longtime vegans to newbies to the lifestyle.

You can listen to and watch the full podcast episode, and find a summary of his lessons, below:

Don’t overcomplicate nutrition

Sigouin admitted that in the early days of his vegan journey, he overcomplicated his diet by trying to include an extensive range of foods at each meal. “I was obsessing over trying to get all the little micronutrients to a small detail every single meal and every single day,” he shared. This meticulous approach, while well-intentioned, made the diet difficult and unsustainable. Now, he focuses on keeping things simple by buying a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, and rotating them as needed. “If I run out of one grain, I buy another one,” he explained, emphasizing that simplicity can provide the diversity needed for a balanced vegan diet.

Pay attention to protein when training

In his bodybuilding days before turning vegan, Sigouin relied on conventional high-protein foods like chicken and eggs. However, transitioning to a vegan diet, he initially neglected his protein intake, which left him feeling “pudgy and soft.” While veganism is a lifestyle, not a diet, and staying in shape isn’t important for all vegans, this was a wake-up call for Sigouin, who is very fitness orientated. “When I discovered several years after that I needed more protein, it made the world of a difference,” he revealed. By applying basic bodybuilding principles to his vegan diet, he managed to regain muscle definition and improve his overall fitness, an approach he now implements with his coaching clients.

Read more: Doctor Responds To Bear Grylls’ Claim That Farting Isn’t Healthy

Lead by example

Sigouin emphasized the power of leading by example. While initially he was more vocal about his vegan lifestyle, he realized that people responded better when he simply demonstrated its benefits through his actions. “If I can stay fit and healthy, compete at a high level… people started asking me questions,” he noted. By embodying the results of a plant-based diet, he found it easier to inspire others to consider the lifestyle without being overly confrontational.

Handle skepticism with patience

Sigouin acknowledged that in his early days as a vegan, he would get into debates with skeptics about protein sources or nutrient deficiencies. Over time, he learned the value of patience. Instead of aggressively countering every argument, he began offering resources and personal anecdotes to those genuinely curious, emphasizing the importance of planting seeds in people’s minds.

Inspire Change through Patience and Empathy

In his earlier years as a vegan, Sigouin admitted to having an “evangelist phase” where he aggressively tried to convince others to adopt veganism. He quickly realized that this confrontational approach only pushed people away. “I was intense with my family and friends, and it made them not want to talk to me about it,” he shared. Over time, he learned that inspiring change is more effective when approached with empathy and patience. Instead of forcing his beliefs, he now focuses on providing gentle guidance and offering helpful resources to those who express interest. By respecting others’ journeys and planting seeds of curiosity, Sigouin found that people became more open to exploring veganism on their own terms.

Consistency Over Perfection

Sigouin also shared a reminder that being vegan isn’t about perfection but about consistency. Throughout his journey, there were times he inadvertently consumed dairy or eggs due to mistakes at restaurants or in product labeling. He emphasized not beating oneself up over these situations, but rather learning from them and moving forward. “It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency,” he reiterated.

Keep it simple

Looking back, Sigouin’s most crucial lesson is the importance of keeping things simple. From focusing on whole foods to rotating ingredients for diversity, he encourages newcomers not to overcomplicate their transition to veganism. “Eat whole food plant-based the majority of the time, focus on diversity, stay within your calories, put an emphasis on protein, and work out,” he advised. This approach, he believes, can put anyone on the path to better health without the unnecessary stress of perfectionism.

Read more: What Are ‘Plant Points’ – And Why Is Everyone Recommending Them?

This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

Read more: Fox Hunters Seek To Be ‘Protected Minority Group’ Under Equality Laws

The organization’s legal expert on human rights, Dr. Jeanette Rowley, challenged the NHS over veganism’s inclusion in the training materials. After submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the NHS, she was directed to the NHS training provider, Skills for Health. The provider eventually confirmed that references to veganism had been removed from the materials.

Prevent is the government’s counter-terrorism program that aims to stop individuals from becoming radicalized. NHS staff are taught to look for warning signs of radicalization in patients.

Dr. Rowley said in a statement that vegans and people transitioning to veganism had been “caught in the net of counter terrorism measures” for behaving in “normal” ways for people who care about animals. The change to the materials “is a critical step towards ensuring that ethical veganism, a protected belief, is not misrepresented or mischaracterised by public institutions,” she said.

Plant Based News has reached out to the NHS and Skills for Health for comment.

Vegan groups considered extremist

While the NHS materials referred to veganism in general, counter-terrorism police training materials name specific vegan groups.

In 2020, it came to light that a counter-terrorism guide intended for police officers, teachers, and government organizations named PETA, Animal Aid, and Sea Shepherd alongside far-right extremist groups. Environmental groups were also targeted, with Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace named in the guide.

Read more: Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Remains Detained As Japan Extradition Considered

At the time, a spokesperson for Counter-Terrorism Policing said: “The guidance document in question explicitly states that many of the groups included are not of counter terrorism interest, and that membership of them does not indicate criminality of any kind.”

In 2017, a leaked memo revealed that the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers had met with counter-terrorism police to discuss how to respond to vigils held at slaughterhouses by the animal activists from the Save movement.

Read more: ‘It’s Shocking’: NHS Sparks Outrage After Serving ‘Culled’ Deer To Patients

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Read more: 7 Times Plant-Based Athletes Triumphed In Sports In 2023

“I used to be like, ‘I’ll never be vegan, I love meat,” Henderson told cycling magazine Rouleur. “But I think what happens is that we all dissociate from what meat is and what animals are.” Once she “made that connection” she “couldn’t eat meat anymore or any animal products.”

She has talked publicly about veganism in the past and says she wishes there were more professional cyclists following a vegan lifestyle. “All round for me it’s been such a huge positive change in my life. And I hope that riders will make the change soon.”

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Vegans winning races

Henderson may currently be in a minority among cyclists, but there are a few other high-profile vegans winning cycling competitions.

Read more: Vegan Duathlon Athlete Crowned World Champion

Retired cyclist and triathlete Adam Hansen has attributed winning 20 grand tour races in a row to veganism improving his health. “Every time I got blood tests done with the team, they were always amazed at my results because I was the healthiest rider by far with my blood markers,” he told VeloNews. “The medics always said I had some of the best results they’d seen.”

Hansen’s fellow Australian cyclist Michael Storer has said the same, according to VeloNews. “Going vegan a few years ago definitely had an impact on my body composition. I really leaned up a lot while maintaining muscle and that for sure paid off in my climbing.” He acknowledged that he couldn’t prove that his wins were down to his diet, but said it’s “definitely clear” that “you can perform while eating vegan. I won two stages at the Vuelta as a vegan – that says enough.”

Read more: 2024 Olympics Set To Double Its Plant-Based Food Offering

This article was amended on July 30, 2024, to remove a quote erroneously attributed to Henderson that veganism made her cycle faster

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

Read more: Would Changing Vegan Labels Help Meat-Eaters Choose Plant Foods?

In the study, the researchers from the University of Copenhagen documented which arguments participants used while discussing meat consumption. The Danish participants were split into six focus groups. They were mostly meat-eaters, aged between 23 and 63, with variations in educational levels, gender, and geography.

All six focus groups agreed that a key way for people to reduce their diet’s climate impact is eat less meat. But they came up with several justifications for not reducing their own meat consumption or tried to shift the focus onto other problems. “[T]here was a tendency for them to shame avocados as being climate-unfriendly and scold vegans for being extremists,” co-author Associate Professor Kia Ditlevsen from the Department of Food and Resource Economics said in a statement.

There has been plenty of research into the “meat paradox,” which is when people who say they love animals rationalize why they still eat them. Several studies also look into how people are socially conditioned to think eating meat is natural and normal. But the new study looks at how people explain their refusal to eat less meat in social contexts, and which explanations are considered acceptable by others.

Ridiculing vegans

When discussing climate-friendly food choices, focus group participants often rejected veganism for various reasons. In response, others would laugh. “In doing so, they confirm to one another that veganism would be a ridiculous solution,” lead author Thomas A. M. Skelly in a statement. This was despite them having agreed that veganism was the most effective dietary climate action from a range of options. These included eating locally produced food or replacing red meat with poultry meat.

A pattern also emerged of participants describing vegans as “extremists” and hypocrites for eating avocados and “highly processed” foods. Participants discussed how they had heard that these foods are bad for the environment. They framed them as foods exclusively eaten by vegans, but didn’t explain why that would be the case. 

According to the authors, this “imagined extreme vegan diet consisting only of highly processed plant-based foods and avocados enables non-vegans to deflect blame.” This is because, having agreed on the climate-friendliness of vegan diets, the meat-eaters ended up positioning themselves as “climate-deviants.” They therefore tried to resolve this by problematizing vegan diets, suggesting that they might not be as good for the climate as they seem.

Read more: Are Avocados Really Not Vegan? The Truth Behind The Claim

“With this notion, the participants confirm to each other that their food practices are not more problematic than food practices among people who have cut out meat entirely – even though the truth is that red meat has a far greater climate footprint than both avocados and vegan products, and vegans do not necessarily eat more avocados or processed products than meat eaters,” said Skelly.

“So, a variety of things are used to excuse or justify [the meat-eaters’] meat consumption,” said Ditlevsen. “[B]ecause otherwise, they would look stupid having already recognized that meat consumption is a major climate culprit. You get hit on the morals. Therefore, one has to – probably unconsciously – reassure themselves of being a morally coherent person.” 

“Collective derailment”

Another tactic deployed by the participants was to shift the focus of discussion away from meat as the problem. The researchers describe this as “collective derailment,” as people within a group mutually support the change of focus. This helps “neutralize the immediate threat to the local social order” – in this case, the concept of meat reduction.

Participants would suggest that other things such as food waste and plastic packaging were a significant source of environmental harm. Others would then run with it, with several saying they are personally already cutting down on these things.

“People quickly derail the topic and begin talking about other things, such as how they seek to avoid food waste and plastic packaging,” Ditlevsen said. “Our interpretation is that this is because these things are more culturally neutral and harmless to relate to. No one really has much of an identity attached to plastic disposal. People can envision doing these kinds of things without any great deprivation or personal cost.”

Some attempts at derailment were not successful, however. One participant’s attempt to blame overpopulation of humans instead of meat-eating was rejected by others. Similarly, participants did not pick up a suggestion that eating insects was the most climate-friendly option. The researchers suggest this was because eating insects is “culturally unconventional” in that social context, unlike ridiculing veganism.

Problematizing knowledge

The researchers point out that there was not a lack of knowledge of meat’s climate impacts among participants. Initially most of them understood and agreed that meat was bad for the climate. Only later did they try to downplay or deflect from this. This shows that “this knowledge can be problematized,” said Skelly. “[T]he results demonstrate that it is socially acceptable to problematize it.”

Read more: Are Almonds Really Unethical? The Truth About Their Bad Rep

He added that there is “enough ambiguity in public discourse and the media for people to make these justifications without sounding completely ignorant in social settings.”

Indeed, some sections of the media frequently question veganism’s health and environmental benefits. They often make the kinds of arguments made by the participants in the study. Though the study does not explore the role of the media in influencing such social discourse, clearly it has done so.

The study’s results suggest “a need for authoritative voices who communicate clearly about meat consumption as a climate problem,” the researchers write. In 2023, the Danish government published a “groundbreaking” roadmap towards a more plant-based food system and guidelines for climate-friendly diets. But authorities have not provided “clear communication” about the climate impact of meat. This, say the researchers, is needed to “counter” the contradictory beliefs that “support the legitimacy” of unsustainable status quo diets. 

This article was written by Claire Hamlett on the PBN Website.

The UK-based organization commissioned a number of YouGov polls in its core campaign countries. It arrived at the 25 million figure based on data from this research, as well as populations of each country. What’s more, Veganuary has said that its resources – including emails YouTube videos, and Veganuary podcast – directly supported more than 1.8 million people to go vegan.

Veganism is a growing movement. Earlier this year, research suggested that there could be as many as 2.5 million vegans in the UK.

Since it was launched in 2014, Veganuary has encouraged many millions of people to try a plant-based diet.

Veganuary supports 1.8 million people

In previous years, Veganuary released figures for the number of people signing up for the 31-day email series, Last year, a record of more than 700,000 signed up directly on the campaign website.

There are now many more ways to receive Veganuary support and guidance. This includes a weekly podcast, daily coaching videos on YouTube, and social media channels in English, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

In 2024, more than 1.8 million people chose to actively receive the campaign’s resources via one or more of the campaign’s official channels.

Veganism around the world

From a kitchen table in Yorkshire, Veganuary is now a global movement with active campaigns in the US, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Chile.

It is not only individuals who now take the pledge. In 2024, more than 100 UK workplaces urged their staff to sign up.

Exciting food launches from Pizza Hut, Pukka, and Wetherspoons helped make it ever easier for people to try plant-based food without making major lifestyle changes.

More like this:

• Completed Veganuary? How To Live Vegan All Year
• This Is The Easiest City In The UK To Be Vegan, Says Study
• More Than 100 UK Workplaces Urge Staff To Do Veganuary

This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

Created and published by Japanese developer Pocket Pair, Palworld is a wildly popular “open world” game.

Players wake up on an island and must find shelter and food. Doing so can involve capturing “Pals,” animal-like creatures who populate the island.

“PETA has already heard from many Palworld fans who have no interest in eating Pals and want a vegan guide created for the game,” said Elisa Allen, PETA’s Vice President of Programmes, in a statement last month.

What is Palworld?

Palworld is a hugely popular survival game, which sold eight million copies within a week of release.

The concept is simple: players find themselves on an island and try to survive and thrive in their new surroundings.

For many players, this involves capturing Pals. Players can tame and put Pals to work in order to progress through the levels and improve their position.

Every Pal has unique skills. Players choose how to “use” them: some are suited to transportation, while others can mine or lumber. Similar to Pokémon, seasoned gamers try to “catch them all.”

As well as capturing and exploiting the digital beasts, players can also breed Pals together to create new Pals.

Palworld and veganism

Killing animals and eating them is clearly not compatible with vegan values.

Vegans avoid contributing to non-human animal exploitation, which means vegans won’t eat, wear, or in any way use products made with or from animals. Vegans also avoid using animals for work or entertainment. This is because vegans see animals as here with us, not for us.

Of course, Palworld is a video game world – not the real world. And Pals are fictional animal-like creatures – not real creatures. Video games portray a representation of animal cruelty, rather than animal cruelty itself. So, playing Palworld is not itself a non-vegan activity.

Vegan guide to Palworld

Even so, many vegan players feel uncomfortable using and abusing animals, even of the digital sort.

PETA’s calls for a vegan guide to Palworld were heard by Game Sandwich. Last month, the gaming website released a specialist game guide to help vegan players navigate the online world without harming their Pals.

In the guide, Game Sandwich advises players how to gather materials, establish a base, and advance through the levels “with your morals intact.”

The guide tells vegan players to “make your way down the hill and over to some nearby berry bushes.” It also includes a list of “Vegan-approved Technologies you can use.”

PETA has since released a list of five updates it would like to see to improve the game for vegans. “Berries are great and all, but PETA now proposes that with just five updates, Palworld would be ready for a whole new audience,” the organization writes.

Pacts with Pals and vegan-friendly materials would make the game more inclusive, PETA says. It puts a question to the developer: “Can we count on you to turn Palworld into a game that compassionate players can really enjoy, or will you leave us to our sticks and berries?”

Video games reflect wider society

While some players may differentiate their desire to avoid harm to animals in real life with their actions in a video game, representations of reality can have a powerful psychological effect.

Researchers disagree over whether playing violent video games makes children more violent. However, it is less controversial to say that the type of content to which we are exposed has some influence on real-world behaviors.

Exposure to animal abuse in day-to-day life normalizes the suffering that humans inflict on animals for food, clothes, entertainment, and more. Video games, like all forms of media, help reinforce harmful power dynamics.

Last year, vegan strongman Patrik Baboumian showed off an early version of his animal rights video game in which players are tasked with liberating animals. He previously told Plant Based News: “With UNCAGE, I aim to instill compassion in players.”

Will the creators of Palworld heed PETA’s call and allow players to choose compassion?

More like this:

• Patrik Baboumian To Release Animal Rights Video Game
• Why Isn’t Horse Riding Vegan? Everything You Need To Know
• How To Watch ‘Christspiracy’: The Documentary Is Being Released Very Soon

This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

The Need for Change in Our Food System

The “death of fast foods” article raises some valid points regarding the need for change in our current food system and in promoting plant-based foods. Following a detailed account of the decline of many vegan fast-food chains and restaurants, the article quotes Chef Charbel Hayek at Eeetwell:

“The food world is changing. We’ve seen vegan restaurants closing and fast food chains dropping vegan items, but at Eeetwell, we see this shift as a chance to really think about what eating well means. What’s happening in the vegan world isn’t about vegan food losing its spark. It’s about people wanting more than just a meat substitute. They want real food that’s good for them and respects our planet. It’s about ensuring every bite tells a story of care, quality, and respect for our earth.”

According to Shokofeh Hejazi, “a food trend expert from The Food People,” what we need then is to promote dishes which are recognisable as whole plants: “As well as being tasty, they offer all the natural goodness of veggies as a bonus – like fibre, vitamins and nutrients.”

This is a refreshing change from the heavily covered issue of plant-based fast foods and their nutritional value (or lack of), which have come to be tightly associated with vegan foods in the media. While it is essential to acknowledge the potential drawbacks of certain vegan food products, it is equally important not to overshadow the broader message of transitioning towards a more sustainable and ethical future. But the above discussion features a long way from its catchy headline. As a result, the assumption that the closure of vegan restaurants is due to the movement is reinforced. We can see that clearly by looking at the comments section. This is one example: “Nothing but a fad that the so-called trendies jumped on then found it they wanted meat.”

Misleading Claims: Veganism as a Passing Fad

By presenting veganism as a fad, the implication is that the failure of these establishments is solely due to the decline in veganism’s popularity. This doesn’t show us the full picture, as it fails to recognize the multifaceted reasons behind individuals embracing veganism and the lifestyle’s growing popularity. Veganism is steadily gaining momentum worldwide, with more people adopting plant-based diets for various reasons, including health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. A recent report by the Good Food Institute Europe found that the European plant-based foods market saw a 21 percent increase in sales from 2020:

“…sales of plant-based meat grew by 21 per cent from 2020 to 2022, while conventional meat sales decreased by eight per cent in the same period. Furthermore, unit sales of plant-based milk grew by 20 per cent in the same period, while conventional milk unit sales decreased by nine per cent.”

“Plant-based milk sales grew by 19 percent between 2020 and 2022, reaching €2.21 billion in 2022 — almost twice as much as conventional milk.”

Despite the article claiming “the declining popularity of veganism”, data suggests the opposite, with research by finder.com showing the number of vegans grew by 1.1 million between 2023 and 2024.

Other reports found that 25 million people sampled vegan food this Veganuary.

So, while the media continues to propagate negative headlines, the wider plant-based food industry is seeing steady growth and “investors and entrepreneurs are still massively putting their energy and money into the future of [plant-based] food” (Green Queen, 2023).

Shedding Light on Media Misinformation

The media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion, and it is crucial to question the motives and accuracy of the information presented. In a paper published in 2022, Bourbon and Murimi from the University of Dallas suggested that we should reconceptualize the issue of online information diffusion and think of it as gossip to understand its mechanics better. They explain that “gossip is more expressive of the community of gossipers than it is about the target of the gossip.” So what does the massive covering of a vegan restaurant adding meat to its menu and facing closure tell us about the media industry? Besides its informative intent, the media aims to elicit specific responses. The strongest ones will most likely be the media with the most shares in an attempt to go viral. This is how the media platforms play, but is there a downside to this?

One significant issue is that many people get their news by scrolling. Headlines make an impact, but not everybody will read the whole article. In the case of the article referenced above, many readers will skim over the section that explores ways to improve health and planetary impact and make plant-based foods an appealing and affordable alternative, in line with many recent environmental recommendations.

But that is different from what makes the headlines.

Less than two weeks ago, my news feed highlighted that an agricultural college had to issue an apology following an announcement that some of its restaurants would implement Meat Free Mondays. Regardless of one’s opinion on either issue, if we put them aside, we can see the current picture of the debate around our society’s eating habits. A highly divisive picture, where hope for a nuanced, constructive conversation might seem far removed. Yet this is precisely what we need if we are hoping to embrace a smooth transition towards a more sustainable future.

Our Final Analysis

It is essential to approach media coverage critically, especially regarding topics as sensitive and impactful as our food choices. Recent headlines consistently portray veganism as a fading trend. While many of these articles raised valid concerns about our food system and the considerations of opting for a plant-based diet, dismissing the movement as a failing trend ultimately discourages the exploration of plant-based alternatives as legitimate and impactful. This type of narrative can also significantly undermine recommendations for an evolution of our food system.

This article comes from FoodFacts.org. FoodFacts.org empowers you to make informed food choices. In today’s world, figuring out what’s truly healthy or sustainable can be confusing, with many voices from media personalities, politicians, influencers, and brands. Many are also not experts in nutrition or the impacts of food on our countryside. The side provides clear, simple facts. Whether breaking down what’s in your food or checking the facts behind the latest diet trends.

More like this:

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This article was written by Dr Elise Hutchinson on the PBN Website.

Daryl Booth, founder of Sarx, the Christian animal charity behind the videos, told Plant Based News (PBN) that “connecting mainstream Christian culture and animals can sometimes feel like fitting a square peg in a round hole.” The “Vegan Vicars” series aims to address that disconnect and open Christian eyes to the foundations of veganism already in scripture.

Through the interviews, the series explores humanity’s attitude to animals. The vegan vicars discuss passages from the Bible that have helped them on their journey to veganism. Animals are created by God and are therefore due “reverence and respect,” says The Revd Terry Martin. “I think God would weep if He were to go to a factory farm.”

“Whilst the vast majority of Christians love animals and have a passionate concern for their wellbeing, animals are rarely thought of as a faith issue to be addressed in our churches,” Booth told PBN. “This unique video series aims to bridge this gap between faith and animals. The vegan vicars we interviewed from across the UK show how a growing number of Christian leaders have strong faith-based reasons for embracing veganism.”

“A creature cannot praise God from your plate”

Compassion is a recurring theme that the vicars bring up. The word’s Latin root means to “suffer with.” Vegans empathize with suffering animals and try to speak up to protect them from harm. “Christian animal concern goes back a very, very long way,” The Revd Dr Jan Goodair notes in the opening episode.

Dr Goodair discusses animal suffering in relation to the Christian concept of stewardship. Christians believe that humanity has a duty to look after the world and all of its life forms. “I don’t see how we can convince ourselves that intensive farming is in any sense responsible stewardship,” she says.

Booth told PBN that Sarx is trying to make Christians “recognize animal issues as prime faith issues“. Christians should not “walk by whilst millions of God’s creatures suffering in the hellish conditions of factory farms.”

The Revd Canon Dr Paul Overend agrees. “Are we as human beings being compassionate?” he asks. “Are we expressing God’s love, God’s care for His creation?”. The rise of factory farming and ever more intensive agricultural practices have increased the suffering of animals. They have also taken us further away from God, the vicars explain.

“Our fellow creatures were made to praise God,” says The Revd John Ryder. “A creature cannot praise God from your plate.”

Compassion for fellow human beings

It is not only animals suffering directly in farms that we should feel compassion for. The vegan vicars discuss the impacts of animal agriculture on the natural world. Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 16.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. They also emphasize how the meat industry impacts the poorest people on the planet.

Indeed, the climate crisis disproportionately impacts the poorest communities in the world. As such, animal farming is a major cause of environmental racism. “We could, without animal agriculture, free up land the equivalent of the land mass of Africa,” says The Revd Edward Owen. “We would need less than 25 percent of that to feed the whole population of the world.”

The vicars also lament the suffering of slaughterhouse workers. In the UK, most slaughterhouse workers are migrants and work in terrible conditions in extremely difficult jobs. “Even if we can’t evolve our consciences around animals, at the very least we should have a conscience about our fellow human beings,” says The Revd Jae Chandler. Slaughterhouse workers are “suffering mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, as a result of our obsession with eating meat.”

Why do more people not see all this suffering? Meat industry propaganda is a key part of the story. “All the money that’s spent on adverts having us believe that lambs skip joyfully to the slaughterhouse is just a massive lie,” says the Revd Terry Martin.

Should Christians go vegan?

The series presents many compelling reasons why Christians should consider transitioning towards a vegan lifestyle.

Booth told PBN: “Living and eating without recourse to harming animals is a principle quality of God’s original intentions for humanity.” He points to Genesis 1:27, in which God makes humanity in His own image. “In the very next verse, humanity is granted dominion,” Booth says. Then, “a peaceable diet is prescribed in 1:29.” In the passage, God proclaims: “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

Furthermore, Booth encourages Christians to pay careful attention to other passages in the Bible. “Jesus points to the birds and tells they are all embraced within the love of God (Matthew 10:29-31) and uses the metaphor of a mother hen to illustrate the love of God (Luke 13:34). If Jesus has such a high regard for such animals, God surely must grieve the appalling suffering animals endure within our food systems.”

As more people wake up to the harms of animal agriculture, Christianity must align itself with these true values the Bible teaches, the vicars suggest. Some of the Church’s official messaging on social justice “disenfranchizes a whole number of people who are trying to find a spiritual framework for their lives,” the Revd Canon Dr Paul Overend warns.

On a personal level, the vicars point to newfound “inner peace” after going vegan, alongside health and environmental benefits. Since going vegan, “I am walking the walk and not just talking the talk about God’s care for creation,” says the Revd Dr Jan Goodair.

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• Vegan Firefighter Loses Bid To Protect Vegans From Discrimination
• What Is Veganism? And How Is It Different To A Plant-Based Diet?

This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

For most people, the decision to go vegan falls into one of three categories – to minimize animal suffering, improve their health and fitness, or protect the planet. But these reasons are not mutually exclusive and your initial incentive may well have been a combination of all three. People also often find that perhaps they began making the switch to veganism for one reason but then having learnt more about the other benefits, they end up feeling more closely aligned with another. The fact is, these are all great reasons!

For the animals

Without a doubt, farmed animals are the most abused animals on earth – slaughtered in their billions to satisfy the world’s insatiable desire for meat, dairy, fish and eggs. Cruelty and suffering are endemic across the board; whether grass-fed, free range, organic, or intensively reared.

Although freedom from hunger, thirst, malnutrition, pain, injury, disease, discomfort, fear, and distress, as well as the freedom to express natural behaviours, are all protections enshrined in animal welfare laws in many countries, including the UK, the reality is that none of these freedoms can ever be adequately met in farming systems designed to prioritize profits over welfare.

Take chicken for instance, Britain’s favourite meat. These birds are selectively bred to rapidly gain weight in the shortest possible amount of time. They grow so abnormally large that their bodies cannot cope with the strain and they suffer from a whole host of painful health conditions as a result – including heart defects, lameness, broken legs, green muscle disease and organ failure.

The lives of broiler chickens, often referred to as Frankenchickens, are in fact, so brutal that campaigners have launched a high court challenge over the legality of fast-growing breeds. They argue that the genetic selection of modern broilers, growing 400 per cent faster than their wild ancestors, has such a detrimental impact on the bird’s health and welfare that it contravenes UK law.

Despite the case failing the first time around, there’s hope that the Court of Appeal will see sense and rule in favor of ending such needless suffering.

For your health

When it comes to health, there is a wealth of scientific research that shows vegans have a significantly reduced risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and some cancers, as well as lower cholesterol and increased energy levels. Eric Adams, a prominent US politician and former police officer, currently serving as the 110th mayor of New York City, is just one notable advocate of going vegan for your health, claiming a plant-based diet not only reversed his type 2 diabetes but also restored his vision.

Whilst it’s certainly possible to be an unhealthy vegan, studies have shown that vegans generally eat better than other dietary groups and have friendlier gut bacteria – which can have a huge impact on health. Balanced, wholefood vegan diets are packed full of vegetable protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, minerals, good fats and vitamins; including B12 when sufficiently supplemented.

Yeast extracts, plant-based milks, yoghurts, desserts, breakfast cereals and spreads, that are fortified with B12 are all good vitamin sources, but supplementing ensures you’re getting at least 50 micrograms per day, which is vitally important.

It’s a misconception that meat and dairy products naturally contain B12, they don’t. Farmed animals are fed a B12 supplement too, which consumers absorb second-hand. But what the animal agricultural industry fails to inform us is that meat products now contain substantially less B12 than they did in the 1990s. Also, B12 absorption declines with age. So, regardless of diet, most people would benefit from taking a B12 supplement, particularly as they get older.

For our planet

As for the planet, world-leading experts agree that our dietary habits are one of the main causes of climate breakdown. Animal farming, including growing feed for farmed animals, contributes a whopping fifth of all global greenhouse gas emissions and is actively fuelling the climate crisis – driving deforestation; air pollution; desertification; water shortages; and wildlife loss. The impact of what we eat is far-reaching and if we fail to slow the progression of climate chaos, global temperatures will soon surpass 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and life as we know it may never be the same again.

Right now, we’re on track for around 2.5C warming by the end of the century, the deadly consequences of which we’re already experiencing – soaring heatwaves, unprecedented wildfires, disastrous floods and mass wildlife extinction. Yet, the UK Government is seriously failing to meet its climate commitments and there is still no mention of dietary change in our environmental targets.

Researchers from Oxford University have highlighted the significant role the food on our plate plays in deciding the fate of humanity. One boldly claimed that “going vegan is probably the single biggest action an individual can take to reduce their impact on the planet”, while others found that by switching to a vegan diet, an individual can reduce their food-related climate heating emissions by up to 75 per cent and their impact on wildlife destruction by 66 per cent.

Staying vegan beyond Veganuary

That’s a lot to keep in mind there! So, now you’ve had your reminder about the whys to go vegan, you might just need a bit more support with the how. Well, let Viva! help you! Our website offers a wide range of resources from how to plan your meals and eat vegan on a budget to which documentaries to watch and where to meet new vegan friends. You’ll also find links to Viva!’s own week- or month-long meal plans (v7 and v30), as well as our Vegan Recipe Club (and incredible new cookbook!) for more mouth-watering inspiration to help you stay committed to being vegan through Veganuary and beyond.

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• New Investigation Warns Of Factory Farming’s ‘Silent Takeover’ In UK Dairy

This article was written by Lex Rigby of Viva! on the PBN Website.

As awareness of the issues of meat and dairy grows, plant-based foods have become more accessible and convenient. This drives a self-reinforcing cycle where more vegans demand more vegan food and more vegan food pushes more people to be vegan.

The research is part of an annual survey by finder.com, a personal finance comparison site. It suggests there are now 2.5 million vegans in the UK, equivalent to 4.7 percent of the total population.

Louise Bastock, editor at finder.com, told Plant Based News (PBN): “The number of vegans in the UK has surged by an impressive 1.1 million since the start of 2023, according to our annual research. While there were reports of a dip in sales of meat substitutes in 2023, our survey suggests that this hasn’t impacted the number of people identifying as vegan.”

One million new vegans in a year

Meat consumption dropped to record lows last year, with more people switching away from animal products.

As the climate crisis worsens, the benefits of shifting away from meat and dairy are becoming clearer to many. Meanwhile, the health benefits of veganism have been well documented in the last year, with notable studies published on type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Moreover, awareness is growing of the risks to human health of antibiotic use on animal farms.

Influential documentaries that address environmental, ethical, and health aspects of veganism also reached millions of viewers in the UK in 2023.

Recent lists by HappyCow ranked two British restaurants in the world’s top 10. In a separate list, London came out on top as the top vegan city in the world.

More growth to come in plant-based eating

A further two million people intend to adopt a plant-based diet in 2024, the study claims.

When including vegetarianism and other non-meat diets, the study suggests that almost one in five people in the UK is now leaving meat entirely off their plate. This figure is expected to increase by 6.4 million in 2024.

The move towards veganism comes as more younger people are avoiding meat. Generation Z is at the forefront of the dietary shift; more than half of Gen Z could be following a meat-free diet by 2025, the study projects.

Bastock offered some advice to those considering a switch to veganism. “There are plenty of delicious meat-free meals that you can make without spending a fortune on branded substitutes,” she told PBN. Whole foods like beans, pulses, lentils, nuts, grains, and vegetables can offer an economical and healthy way to transition to eat a plant-based diet.

“If you do want to try a meat substitute, keep an eye out for any deals, such as discounts with your supermarket loyalty card. To save money, you can also buy some items in bulk, such as grains and dry foods.”

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This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

The rankings come from a comprehensive analysis by BonusFinder Canada. Researchers ranked cities on factors such as the number of vegan or vegan-option restaurants, the average cost of a meal, and customer ratings. They then calculated totals to come up with a city-by-city vegan-friendly score.

Topping the list as Canada’s number one vegan destination is Victoria, with a score of 8/10. Hamilton, London City, Windsor, and Ottawa complete the top five.

Victoria is Canada’s most vegan city

Canada has seen a recent surge in the popularity of veganism. Last month, web searchers for “vegan restaurants” rose to 4,500, the researchers note.

Victoria took top spot in the rankings, with a score of 8. The city is home to 141 vegan restaurants, equating to nearly 50 establishments per 100,000 people. It offers an average meal price of $22.79 and customers gave an average rating of 4.31 out of 5.

Close behind was Hamilton, with a vegan-friendly score of 7.62. The city boasts 89 vegan restaurants, approximately 17 per 100,000 individuals. It scored highly on cost, with an average meal price of $19.85. Hamilton’s restaurants enjoy a strong average rating of 4.35/5.

London City rounds out the top three (7.53), ahead of Windsor (7.43) and Ottawa (6.95). London City has 82 vegan dining options, but a more expensive average meal cost of $27.56. The city’s average restaurant rating is 4.37/5. Windsor scored well on average price ($21.32), while Ottawa’s total vegan restaurants (203) was beaten only by Vancouver, which ranked in eighth place.

Veganism on the rise across Canada

Canada has taken steps in recent years to become kinder and more compassionate towards animals, notably by banning cosmetic testing on animals in 2023.

Last year, Health Canada’s Food Directorate of Health Products also approved an oat-based nutritional drink for toddlers and kids aged 12 months and over in a first for the country.

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This article was written by Editorial Team on the PBN Website.

The vote followed a fierce debate between advocates for veganism, including animal rights activist Joey Carbstrong and physician Dr Chidi Ngwaba, and its detractors, including controversial media figure Katie Hopkins. In total, 112 members voted for the motion and 84 voted against.

The debate comes amid growing awareness of the ethical, health, and environmental benefits of veganism. In the last year, Plant-Based Universities (PBU), a student-led climate group campaigning for plant-based catering at over 75 universities, has won student votes at universities including London Metropolitan and Kent.

What is the Oxford Union?

The Oxford Union is a world-famous debating organization currently celebrating its 200th birthday. Founded in 1823 to promote free speech at the University of Oxford, it remains an independent, student-led society two centuries later.

The Union hosts weekly debates during university term time. Recent topics have included artificial intelligence, the economic rise of China, and sex education.

Ethical vegan defeats far-right figure

During the debate, Joey Carbstrong set out the ethical case for veganism. In the closing speech for the proposition, he outlined the harms that “speciesism” causes animals and wider society.

With more than 150,000 subscribers on YouTube, Carbstrong is well known for his street interviews about veganism. Earlier this year, he released the first ever UK footage of pigs being gassed to death in a slaughterhouse. At the Oxford Union, Carbstrong talked about the “crimes” that humans commit against animals.

On the opposite benches was polemical media figure and far-right commentator Katie Hopkins. 

Her appearance had already caused backlash ahead of the debate. The Oxford Students’ Union condemned her invitation to speak in the famous chamber. In a statement on social media, they condemned her for “denigrating Islam, blaming crime on multiculturalism, and expressing discriminatory views against various ethnic and social groups.”

Hopkins has also attracted attention for her comments about veganism. In a social media post earlier this year, she told vegans: “Don’t abuse your children to push your message onto others.”

In the debate, she wasted little time in seeking controversy. She declared that “every vegan I know hates themselves” and said that watching animals suffer was a “hobby” for vegans.

The health benefits of veganism

Earlier in the evening, Dr. Chidi Ngwaba, a physician specializing in lifestyle medicine and wellness, had made the case for veganism on health grounds.

Studies have repeatedly shown positive health outcomes for people following a plant-based diet. Links between meat consumption and disease, including type 2 diabetes and some cancers, have also been well established by a growing body of scientific research.

Plant-based eating better for the environment

On the environment, Dr. Sailesh Rao, founder of Climate Healers, explained how animal agriculture is having disastrous ecological consequences.

This week, Sir David Attenborough spoke about the “profound impact” of meat production on the natural world. Studies have shown how much more efficient a plant-based food system could be.

In response, Dr. David Rose, head of the “Change in Agriculture” research group, made the case that animal agriculture is given too much flack.

Citing meat industry-funded research, he claimed that global temperatures can be stabilized without reducing meat consumption. Emissions from food alone are set to push the world past the 1.5C limit set out in the Paris Agreement, research has shown.

Growing focus on plant-based universities

Oxford is not the only university where veganism is a hot topic.

Earlier this year, more than 650 academics signed an open letter calling on universities to adopt plant-based catering on campus. This followed successful student votes at universities including the University of Stirling, London Metropolitan University, and the University of Kent.

“The climate crisis demands bold and decisive actions from us all,” PBU co-founder Nathan McGovern previously told Plant Based News. “We’ll continue to work with universities in the UK and beyond to make these changes as fast as possible.”

Meanwhile, Oxfordshire County Council committed to serve only plant-based foods at its events in March 2022. It has also previously advised residents to follow a plant-based diet.

Countries including Denmark are also laying out plans to transition towards a plant-based food system. At COP28, currently happening in Dubai, environmental group ProVeg is leading a campaign calling on countries to swap animal agriculture for a plant-based future.

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• ‘So Much More Efficient’: David Attenborough Promotes Plant-Based Diets

This article was written by Daniel Clark on the PBN Website.

Figs are a hugely popular food all over the world. They’re eaten in salads or desserts, or just as a snack on their own. Many people may be shocked, therefore, to learn that they’re often thought of as unsuitable for those on plant-based – and even vegetarian – diets.

The rise of veganism has also seen an increase in rumors and misinformation about the lifestyle. Many people attempt to discredit the movement by claiming that a host of fruits and vegetables – including avocados – are products of animal cruelty and therefore not vegan. Many people argue, therefore, that vegans are therefore hypocrites for eating just about anything. 

While it’s true that some vegan foods may involve animals in some way, that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t vegan. Here’s your need-to-know on the truth about figs.

Jump to section:

• What is a fig? Origins of the fruit
• Do figs really contain wasps?
• Are figs vegan?
• Do all figs have fig wasps inside them?
• Where can you buy wasp-free figs?
• What figs don’t require wasp pollination?
• What are the health benefits of figs?
• Are any other fruits unsuitable for vegans?

What is a fig? Origins of the fruit

Figs are well-known for their distinct, pear-like shape and succulent texture that varies from chewy to smooth, depending on the variety and ripeness. Figs come in a range of colors, from green to purple and even golden. Inside, they contain numerous small seeds, which add to their unique texture and nutty flavor. Figs can be eaten fresh or dried and are often used in cooking and baking, offering a natural sweetness and richness to various dishes.

The fig tree is native to the Middle East and western Asia, and it’s been cultivated since ancient times. Its cultivation spread to the Mediterranean region, a climate ideal for fig growth, becoming a staple in the diet of various ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Today, figs are grown in warm, temperate climates around the world, with major producers including Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and the United States, particularly California. Figs thrive in areas with long, hot summers and cool, wet winters, making Mediterranean climates particularly suitable.

Do figs really contain wasps?

Some types of figs are pollinated by “fig wasps” who enter and lay their eggs inside them. These wasps and fig trees rely on each other to reproduce, with scientists believing they evolved alongside each other. The wasp pollinates the fig tree, and the tree in turn pollinates the wasp by enabling them to lay their eggs inside it. 

When entering the tree, the female wasp will often lose her wings in the process, meaning she is unable to get out. After laying her eggs, she will then die inside the fig. This leads many to believe that the figs we buy in the supermarket contain wasps, and are therefore unsuitable for vegans. 

Are figs vegan?

While it’s true that some figs do involve wasps in their pollination, this does not mean they aren’t vegan. Around 92 billion land animals are killed for food each year, as well as an incomprehensible number of aquatic animals. The vast majority of these animals are raised in unnatural conditions in intensive farms, or fished from the ocean with vast fishing nets or lines. Veganism is a movement against this animal exploitation.

In contrast, wasp-fig pollination is a wholly natural process, and doesn’t involve human-led exploitation of animals, which veganism seeks to exclude. 

The eggs that the female lays within the fig will exit while still larvae, meaning she is giving way to more life by dying. Both the fig and wasp have evolved that way, and the process is not comparable to unnatural farming practices.

The wasp will also be digested within the fig with an enzyme called ficin, which breaks down the bodies of the wasps into protein. This means there is no chance a human will unwittingly eat the corpse of the insect when biting into the fruit. 

Do all figs have fig wasps inside them?

What’s more, figs typically eaten by humans mostly don’t involve wasp pollination at all. This means that there will likely have never been wasps or wasp eggs present inside them. 

Modern cultivation practices often mean that the figs we typically eat from grocery stores are grown from varieties that do not need wasp pollination. This means that a typical packet of figs is unlikely to contain any traces of wasps.

Where can you buy wasp-free figs?

Figs can be purchased from various places including supermarkets, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, specialty food stores, online retailers, and health food stores. The availability of fresh figs is generally seasonal, peaking from late summer to early autumn, but dried figs are available year-round. When it comes to wasp pollination, the common figs found in most stores do not require it.

What figs don’t require wasp pollination?

The most common type of fig that does not require wasp pollination is the Ficus carica, particularly the common fig cultivar. These figs are known as “common figs” or “edible figs” and include several popular varieties:

1. Common Fig (Ficus carica): This is the species most widely cultivated for edible figs, and it does not require wasp pollination. It produces “parthenocarpic” fruit, which means the fruit develops without the need for fertilization by pollen.
2. Varieties of Ficus carica:
   • Black Mission: Dark-skinned and sweet, this variety is very popular and does not need pollination by fig wasps.
   • Brown Turkey: Another widely grown variety, known for its brownish-purple skin and sweet flavor.
   • Calimyrna: While traditionally requiring pollination, there are now cultivars that are grown without the need for fig wasps.
   • Kadota: With green skin and sweet flesh, Kadota is another self-pollinating variety.

The development of such self-pollinating varieties has been crucial for the commercial cultivation of figs, particularly in regions outside the native habitat of the fig wasp. These varieties allow for consistent and predictable fig production without relying on the presence of the fig wasp for pollination.

What are the health benefits of figs?

Figs are not only vegan-friendly, but also regarded as a nutritious fruit for any diet. Figs, both fresh and dried, are packed with a variety of nutrients that are thought to offer a number of health benefits. They are a good source of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health. The fiber in figs helps to promote regular bowel movements, prevent constipation, and is thought to contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. Figs also contain prebiotics, which nourish and support the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

In addition to fiber, figs are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, copper, manganese, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients play a crucial role in various bodily functions, such as energy metabolism, nerve function, and the maintenance of bone health. Figs also have a low to moderate glycemic index, making them a good option for blood sugar management.

Are any other fruits unsuitable for vegans?

It’s extremely rare for fruits and vegetables to be unsuitable for vegans, despite ongoing rumours. The media has played a significant part in fueling speculation that certain fruits and vegetables aren’t vegan-friendly. On en episode of QI in 2018, host Sandi Toksvig told her guests that a number of foods – including avocados and butternut squash – weren’t suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle. This is due to the fact that they require migratory beekeeping as part of the production process. 

Migratory beekeeping is the practice of moving beehives to different geographical locations to pollinate crops. The practice is used for a number of vegetables in the US. While there’s no denying that migratory beekeeping is an unnatural use of animals, it’s widely regarded that foods grown as a result of it are vegan-friendly. The Vegan Society defines veganism as the practice of avoiding animal use and exploitation “as much as possible and practicable.” It wouldn’t be practical for most vegans to avoid all indirect harm to animals, meaning these fruits and vegetables are considered fine to eat.

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This article was written by Polly Foreman on the PBN Website.