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