| As with most dietary questions, vegans | | | | yield of milk. They are also fed |
| are split on the issue of dairy products | | | | numerous steroids to increase |
| - not so much on the question of whether | | | | production. |
| or not they are acceptable, but instead | | | | Others who abstain for ethical reasons |
| for what reasons they should not be | | | | often cite the maltreatment of dairy cow |
| consumed. | | | | offspring. They note that calves are not |
| All vegans (or at least true vegans) | | | | allowed to spend time with or suckle |
| abstain from consuming dairy products. | | | | from the mother, but instead are |
| Some do so for nutritional reasons; | | | | prematurely removed to be reared for |
| others abstain for ethical reasons. | | | | either veal production, beef production, |
| Those who do it for nutritional reasons | | | | or as replacement dairy cows. |
| cite a range of health problems related | | | | The calves selected for "veal" |
| to the consumption of dairy products, | | | | production are often forced to live in |
| including high cholesterol. Many also | | | | crates so tiny that they cannot turn |
| have a problem digesting lactose or have | | | | around. They must face in one direction; |
| a blood-iron or diabetic problem related | | | | they cannot groom themselves; and they |
| to milk protein, casein. In addition to | | | | are fed hormone-laden feed until they |
| this, milk and cheese often contain | | | | are sent off to be slaughtered. |
| small portions of undesirable hormones | | | | If you are a prospective vegan, you may |
| that are added to dairy cow feeds to | | | | want to take some time now to think |
| increase production. | | | | about what is best for you. Ask yourself |
| Those who abstain from consuming dairy | | | | whether you wanted to become a vegan for |
| products for ethical reasons also have a | | | | ethical reasons, dietary reasons, or |
| range of reasons for doing so. | | | | both. And from there, determine whether |
| Some cite the poor treatment of dairy | | | | or not these arguments were strong |
| cows as a main reason for not consuming | | | | enough to compel you to do so. Either |
| milk and cheese. They note that dairy | | | | way, you should emerge with a stronger |
| cows are forced to become pregnant once | | | | viewpoint and a better understanding of |
| each year to maintain a constantly high | | | | what you do and do not want. |