George Reynolds (The war on vegans, the long read, 25 October) conflates eating less meat, being vegetarian and being vegan. When he says Veganism, of course, is rooted in social justice, it is likely that phrase should apply to vegetarianism.

At root, vegetarianism poses philosophical and moral issues. We are, by nature and evolution, fitted to a mixed diet, but at scale have a cruel and brutal way of putting meat on the table. Many people dont like being reminded of this. It makes them uncomfortable, and they take it out on the messenger. But there is something more going on, and that is specifically about veganism.

Georges article contains much of the answer to his question. He points out veganism is replacing one kind of industrialised system with another and that intensive industrialised farming of soya, maize and grains comes at a significant carbon cost, too as does flying in the ingredients to keep berries and nut butters on aa bowls or avocado on toast. He doesnt mention the impact of almonds, palm oil and quinoa on indigenous people, water resources or forests.

Veganism has always been a smaller grouping within a broader movement. It has to face greater dietary challenges. From necessity it attracts the most committed people and inevitably some of them proselytise with the fire of justice in their bellies. When you mix an uncompromising stance on diet with an absolute insistence on the moral high ground you very quickly annoy people.

When veganism is scaled up in the hands of global capital, it becomes vastly more complicated. So, in addition to reminding us of the structure of animal cruelty, and triggering a blame the messenger response, the messianic certainty of some vegans can also attract hatred because it makes a difficult, complex structural issue into one of personal consumer choice.Brian FishChapel Allerton, Leeds

George Reynolds may have overlooked the main reason that vegans upset people. Preparing and sharing food is so central to human culture that it has ritual significance. Strict veganism undermines the fundamental social rite of eating together.

When vegans cook for omnivores, the interaction is generally successful. The guests eat what they are given and compliment the cooking. The etiquette of food-sharing has been preserved. But when strict vegans are fed by omnivores, there is tension. The hosts face a daunting list of exclusion and must try new recipes. For practical reasons, the vegan menu may be imposed on the whole gathering. This offends our deep-rooted belief that guests should adapt to the host culture, gratefully accepting whatever food they are given. The alternative option of the vegans bringing their own food is even more offensive: the social bond of food-sharing will not be achieved.

Historically, religious dietary taboos were used as a tool to prevent social interaction with others outside the sect. Unconsciously, vegans may be causing grave offence by othering their families and community. This has implications for the best strategy to reduce meat-eating and save the planet. Gradualism, flexitarianism and reinforcement rather than undermining of traditional food-sharing culture will result in greater societal change.Dr Quentin ShawShrewsbury, Shropshire

Your long read falls into the trap of tarring all vegans with the same brush, like cyclists or other groups that seem to arouse irrational hatred. Like many vegans, I dont engage in internet warfare, or mention my dietary choices on social media. Where my new diet has been met with consternation by friends and family, Ive won them over by cooking for them, which habitually ends with them asking for seconds and for recipes. Some dont even notice theyre eating coconut yoghurt or ice cream, aquafaba meringues etc.

Where the article falls down is seeing beyond the issues associated with eating less meat, essentially lumping vegans in with vegetarians. It is worth looking with more scrutiny at animal products. Rearing cows for dairy has a serious environmental impact; the data (for example in the Oxford university study referenced in the article) makes this perfectly clear. The piece also perpetuates the mythical dangers of soy farming; around 90% of soy is grown to feed livestock. If we ate more of it as a protein source instead of meat, wed need to grow much less of it.Matt KanerLondon

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(Updated October 30, 2019). Ready to go vegan but worried it wont work with your budget? Or maybe you already eat vegan regularly but are in search of budget-friendly recipes and shopping tips. Look no further! This complete guide on how to go vegan on a budget will cover all the bases.

Vegans avoid the consumption of any and all animal products and often also eschew animal-derived clothing. Going vegan can seem like a big change at first, but many people suggest starting small and making simple substitutions.

You dont have to cut everything out at once; instead, try swapping different foods out one by one. Dairy milk for plant-based, meat for legumes, nuts, and tofu, and so on.

Its important to make positive changes in a way that is healthy and suits your lifestyle, and fortunately, going vegan can be both affordable and straightforward.

Looking back on 2018 as a whole, one of the most notable consumer trends is the shift to a more plant-based diet, Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said in a statement.

Flexitarianism is increasingly popular as people become more concerned over the health, environmental, and welfare concerns associated with animal consumption. Fifty-seven percent of British people want to ditch meat for environmental reasons, and 80 percent of Americans say they want to swap meat for vegan alternatives.

Today, 1% of all households include a vegan, 5% have a vegetarian and 10% have flexitarians in their ranks. This move has contributed to consumers eating a total of 4.4 billion meat-free dinners in 2018, an increase of 150 million meals on the year before, McKevitt added.

Eating more plants, in general, can drastically reduce health risks including heart disease, cancer, and premature death. According to an Imperial College London review of several studies on fruit and vegetable consumption, consuming 200g approximately 3 portions of fruit and veg daily could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 13 percent. It could also reduce the likelihood of cancer by 4 percent and premature death by 15 percent.

Research indicates that adhering to a vegan diet is the best way to curb the effects of climate change. The effects of climate change are already affecting many people around the world. According to data published by Impossible Foods earlier this year, the environment is currently the third most popular reason for consumers to purchase plant-based meat.

Research carried out by Health Research International has revealed that 47 percent of all consumers of plant-based products do so for the animals. According to the animal rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), each vegan person saves up to 100 sentient animal lives every year.

As the demand for vegan food grows, even the price of luxury plant-based items will drop with time. Vegan meat, in particular, is the most popular plant-based product currently available. This is according to research carried out by The Good Food Institute (GFI) and the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA).

Supply and demand dictate the price of such products. When vegan producers have a larger share of the overall meat market both the cost of production and the price of purchase will drop. Liz Specht Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Good Food Institute (GFI), believes that a price parity between vegan meat and animal products could be coming soon.

Industrial animal agriculture has been operating and optimizing at a global scale for decades, Specht explained in a post on GFIs website. Yet it is still inherently more efficient to make meat directly from plants rather than feeding our crops to animals and then eating a part of the animal.

She added, Its all but inevitable that the plant-based meat industry will eventually be cost-competitive with conventional meat.

Ensuring modern plant-based food is accessible is absolutely essential. In the U.S., it is overwhelmingly low-income Americans and people of color who are most concerned about climate change, and it is crucial to ensure veganism is not only represented through the consumption of modern luxury items. It is also important to remember that the roots of veganism are in poor communities from all over the world and is not a modern, Western invention.

Organizations such as Chillis On Wheels, a vegan charity, are dedicated to improving accessibility by distributing free plant-based meals to vulnerable people. Chillis On Wheels works across the U.S. promoting compassion and respect and is focused on making veganism available to all.

The Chilis on Wheels website says that: An empowered community is key in dismantling systematic inequalities that prevent veganism from being attainable by poor and low-income communities. Through our networks of support, were collectively building alternate systems to make veganism accessible to the areas that we serve.

While going vegan is sometimes perceived as an expensive choice, many people find that their weekly shop becomes cheaper after adopting a plant-based diet. Here are some key areas to work on in order to stay healthy and save money.

Cook and eat at home. Cooking from scratch is an easy and ultra-effective cost-saver, and avoiding pre-packaged ingredients is also good for the environment.

Some of the new vegan alternatives in particular meat, cheese, desserts and so on can seem a little expensive. But did you know that many people actually reduce their grocery bills after going vegan?

Healthy vegan staples such as legumes, grains, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are some of the most budget-friendly foods out there. And they are also the healthiest options for you, the planet, and your bank balance.

Nuts and seeds can also be very affordable if bought in bulk. Products like oats and rice are filling and keep extremely well. Comparing different stores and planning your shop ahead of time can really keep the cost down, as can batch cooking meals for the week.

Legumes and grains are perfect for bulk cooking and curries, stews, pasta sauces, and soups all keep well in the fridge and freezer.

Canned foods are a versatile and long-lasting staple ingredient. Beans, lentils, tomatoes, fruit, and vegetables are healthful and nutrient-dense. Tinned and frozen foods also keep well, which makes cooking extra simple and minimizes food waste.

Buying in-season produce is an easy way of maximizing the nutritional benefit of your food while minimizing the cost. Seasonal fruit and veg tend to be fresh and therefore contain a higher density of vitamins and minerals.

Seasonal fruit and veg also tends to be locally produced, so choosing to eat seasonally supports local and sustainable farmers. This can also minimize the environmental impact of your food shop.

Making vegan substitutions is extremely straightforward, so its easy to adapt all your favorite meat-based dishes with plant-based ingredients.

Legumes and pulses are a great replacement for minced beef or lamb and shepherds pie, bolognese, and chili are just as good when filled with beans and lentils.

If you want something a bit more meat-like, soya mince is also an affordable and nutritious staple. Many supermarkets sell high protein, own-brand versions. TVP, or textured vegetable protein, is a practical plant-based staple available from many health and whole foods stores.

One pot, vegetable-packed dishes are a perfect starting point and are full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. In a coconut curry containing brown rice, lentils, and kale recipe available here you can enjoy a protein-rich and nutrient-dense meal.

Kale, in particular, contains protein, B vitamins, magnesium, and iron; helping you fight fatigue, boost your immune system, and even lower your cholesterol. Rice and lentils together is also a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids.

Curries, stir-fries, soups, and stews are an affordable and vegetable-rich source of plant-based nutrition. Adding legumes or tofu is an easy way to increase the protein content, though many vegetables like broccoli and collard greens are also high in protein.

Thanks to the ongoing boom in vegan products, tracking down plant-based alternatives is easier than ever. In the UK, supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda are drastically increasing their production of vegan products, and specifically own-brand and affordable items.

Tesco has just launched its huge Plant Chef range, which will be available in over 450 stores. The range is specifically tailored to assist consumers in finding affordable, plant-based alternatives to their favorite dishes.

In the US, Kroger has launched its own range of vegan meats, and Walmart stocks everything from ready meals to vegan staples like grains and gluten-free pasta.

Nielsen data shows that the sales of own-brand products grew three times faster than national brands between 2016 and 2017. Many customers choose store brands specifically for their affordability.

If you do feel like treating yourself to a meal out or you need to pick something up in a hurry, theres plenty of affordable vegan-friendly restaurants and fast-food out there.

Many Indian dishes are naturally vegetarian or vegan, but be sure to ask if they are cooked in ghee a clarified butter. It is also easy to find Indian meals containing healthy, nutritious staples like legumes and vegetables.

For fast-food and affordable vegan junk, many mainstream chains have adopted meat-free options. Burger King, McDonalds, and KFC have all tried out vegan versions of existing menu items. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods specialize in guilt-free, plant-based meats that taste just like animal products, and are used by many fast-food restaurants.

Taco Bell has just launched a separate vegetarian menu, and many meals there are bean-based and vegan adaptable. In the UK, Wetherspoons have plenty of affordable vegan options including fry ups, curries, and burgers. Wetherspoons also offers items such as a high-protein Quinoa Salad.

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How To Go Vegan on a Budget

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How to go vegan on a budget. This is a useful how-to guide for people who want to incorporate affordable, delicious plant-based food into their diet.

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Liam Pritchett

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LIVEKINDLY

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This Is How to Go Vegan When You Have a Tight Budget - LIVEKINDLY

These 13 vegan celebrities all went vegan and have since promoted the positive effects of a plant-based diet.

Several of the celebrities included below found that cutting out animal products is an easy way to minimize contribution to both animal cruelty and climate change. Eating vegan can also have a positive effect on a persons health, and many of the people listed here noticed an immediate change after adopting a plant-based diet.

A growing body of medical studies shows that the health benefits of a plant-based diet far outweigh those of more traditional diets. Eating plant-based foods regularly can be particularly good for your cardiovascular health, and several celebrities have used a vegan diet to combat health issues and aid recovery time.

Findings presented to the American Society for Nutrition last June indicated that a plant-based diet can normalize high blood pressure in less than two weeks. In 2017 Imperial College London conducted a review of several studies on fruit and vegetable consumption.

Originally published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the report states that the risk of cardiovascular disease drops by around 13 percent when eating 200g of fruit and veg per day. Cancer drops by 4 percent, and the risk of premature death by 15 percent. When consuming 800g of fruit and veg this drops by 28, 13, and 31 percent respectively.

Adopting a plant-based diet has also been linked to a lower BMI (body mass index) which is a commonly cited reason for trying to eat more vegan food. However, many experts have pointed out that BMI is not an accurate measurement of health.

Some flexitarians and vegans have also found that a plant-based diet can help with healthy weight loss. While healthy looks different for different people and preoccupation with BMI is not necessarily synonymous with good health studies have shown that those trying to lose weight could be able to achieve their goals through a high-carb vegan diet. Several celebrities have used this kind of diet to help shed weight and to build up muscle, stamina, and fitness.

According to a study published in the journal Nutrients last year, a 16-week clinical trial revealed that a high-carb vegan diet resulted in lower BMI, weight, fat, and insulin resistance. The vegan diet emphasized whole, plant-based sources of complex carbs like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Increasing the intake of complex carbs instead of animal protein had a pronounced and positive effect.

While many people often first go vegan for health reasons, in learning more about animal agricultures effect on the environment and animals themselves many also begin to advocate for other aspects of the diet along with other social justice issues. These vegan celebrities are no exception. In fact, theyre leading the trend.

Filmmaker Kevin Smith went vegan after experiencing a major heart attack in 2018. Smith addressed this on Facebook, where he thanked his family and said, maybe its time to go vegan.Since then Smith has been very vocal about the health benefits of a vegan diet, which first prompted his transition. Smith has also commented on other positive aspects of going meat-free and has spoken about animal rights and welfare.

He appeared with his vegan daughter Harley-Quinn Smith in a promotional video for Farm Sanctuary last November. Earlier this year they also presented animal rights activist Lindsay Oliver with the Hidden Heroes Award at the Mercy for Animals 20th Anniversary Gala.

Actor and animal advocate Evanna Lynch is a Veganuary Ambassador and even has her own vegan podcast called The Chickpeeps. Lynch has been vegetarian since the age of 11, and gradually went vegan by adding more plant-based ingredients to her food.

The Harry Potter star first went vegan in 2015. According to Veganuary, her decision was based on compassion. She said in a statement, It was just the right path for me. I felt like as soon as I went vegan, I was more myself, like I was just living according to what I believed, which is such a freeing thing when you finally commit to it.

I strongly believe in non-violence, that we shouldnt be hurting other people or creatures, said Lynch.

The Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am has also enjoyed multiple health improvements after moving to a vegan diet. He spoke to Arianna Huffington about it in an episode of The Thrive Global Podcast.

I switched my regimen, went plant-based and it changed my life. I lost 20 lbs. My cholesterol came down, my high blood pressure came down. My stress levels came down naturally. I have more energy, said Will.i.am.

It changed my life, and I would encourage everybody to have a plant-based regimen, Will.i.am added. You dont need the meat, you dont need to have decaying flesh in your body. The more I think about it I was like, Ew. I was just, I had death in me.

Ariana Grande adopted a plant-based diet in 2014 and has been a vocal animal rights advocate since.

Grande was named Billboards 2018 Woman of the Year in part due to her dedication to social justice. The musician has ten rescue dogs and a pet pig named Piggy Smallz, who sometimes features on Grandes social media.

Grande told The Mirror: I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding. But I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-round happier person.

The former American Idol host and music mogul Simon Cowell is now plant-based. Cowell switched to a vegan diet in April, ahead of his 60th birthday.

It has helped me sleep and I wake up feeling less tired. I noticed a massive difference in how I felt in about a week, he told the Sun. I have more energy and focus and it wasnt difficult.

Within 24 hours I changed my diet and Ive not looked back since, Cowell said in a recent interview with the Sun. You feel better, you look better.

Five-time World Champion Formula-1 racer Lewis Hamilton adopted a plant-based diet for his health but is now increasingly concerned with animal rights issues and the ethics of meat. Hamilton first announced his veganism on Snapchat, saying:

Going to watch What the Health Tonight. Im on a mission to go vegan, people. Animal cruelty, global warming, and our personal health is at stake.

I have plenty of protein in my diet and Ive gained muscle, and Im healthier and happier than Ive ever been. Wish I did it sooner, he said.

Animal advocate and musician Miley Cyrus has been vegan since 2014. The celebrity frequently discusses her diet and received the Best Voice 4 Animals award from PETA in 2017.

On Instagram, Cyrus thanked PETA for the award and said: I am very certain that veganism is taking over and stoked to see so many brands jumpin on this revolution!

Cyrus has collaborated with fashion designers to create her own vegan-friendly clothing, including Converse. Since going vegan, Cyrus often Tweets her support for the vegan movement and is particularly vocal about speciesism and animal rights.

The Office and Brooklyn Nine Nine star Craig Robinson gave up meat in January 2016 and said that animal-based foods had started to make him feel unhealthy. After moving to a plant-based diet and ditching alcohol Robinson lost 50 pounds.

[Im] working out and Ive been trying this vegan lifestyle too. Its amazing, Robinson told talk show host Harry Connick Jr. Its much easier than I thought it would be.

I just wanted to push away from meat and stuff for a little while, said Robinson. He added that he had heard you can regenerate your liver in six months. I was like let me see if I can go six months and I just havent gone back.

Actor Mena Suvari adopted a plant-based diet in early 2018 after watching the 2017 documentary What the Health.

I believe it was not only seeing footage of what happens within our world towards animals, but also the way that the documentary clearly explained the health aspect of veganism, Suvari told LIVEKINDLY. It all just instantly clicked for me and I went plant-based overnight.

Suvari has worked on an anti-vivisection PSA with Last Chance for Animals and since going vegan overhauled her entire wardrobe. She donated all her animal-based clothes and started over.

Musician and entrepreneur Beyonc has credited a vegan diet for her now-legendary Coachella performance in 2018.

In preparation for the performance Beyonc and her performers adhered to grueling 11-hour rehearsals, which were powered by nutritious and plant-based foods.

Beyoncs personal chef prepared six daily meals to fuel the intense training regime, and Queen B shared three consecutive posts to her 112 million followers encouraging them to explore plant-based meals: Vegan Time!! Click the link in my bio to join me!

Actor Zac Efron has experimented with a vegan diet and has even credited his toned physique to plant-based food. Efron announced his veganism in an interview with Teen Vogue last year.

Ive been experimenting with eating purely vegan, Efron explained. Thats completely changed the way that my body works, and the way that I metabolize food, the way it turns into energy, the way that I sleep. Its been brilliant. Its been great for my exercise, and great for my routine.

In February Efron ate dairy-free ice cream while recovering from knee surgery, and kept up with his vegan diet while on an off-grid camping trip with his friends.

TV host Steve Harvey enjoyed multiple health improvements after adopting a vegan diet. On an episode of his NBC talk show Steve, Harvey discussed the high rate of heart disease in the United States and how a plant-based diet can help.

Let me tell you something. Ive been doing this since January 4, I got to tell you, I do feel a lot better, said Harvey in March.

I have the cholesterol levels of an infant, he added. My cholesterol numbers are lower than my cardiologists cholesterol numbers You can eat your way healthy. You are what you eat.

Kim Kardashian has recently said she is following a plant-based diet.

In an Instagram video, Kardashian told Anastasia Soare founder of the cosmetics company Anastasia Beverly Hills that veganism was responsible for her slim waist. Honestly, being vegan now helps, says Kardashian.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star regularly shares pictures of vegan food on her Instagram, recently including plant-based sausages and mung bean-based JUST egg. Kardashian has also revealed that her wardrobe is now 100 percent fur-free, perhaps inspired by friend and fellow vegan celebrity Pamela Anderson.

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13 Celebrities Before and After Going Vegan

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13 celebrities before and after going vegan. Celebrities go vegan and discuss the health benefits of plant-based, including weight loss and improved energy.

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Liam Pritchett

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LIVEKINDLY

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13 Celebrities Before and After Going Vegan - LIVEKINDLY

The program made controversial claims about vegan diets (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

The BBC has been blasted for airing 'blatant misinformation and biased reporting' in a recent radio broadcast about veganism.

Last Monday's Start the Week program featured host Kirsty Wark interviewing food writer Joanna Blythman. Among the claims the pair made were that plant-based diets 'cannot compare in nutrient density' to omnivorous ones, and that young vegan women are likely to have fertility issues as their 'diets lack iron'.

Numerous listeners contacted the BBC to complain, with one accusing the broadcaster of giving airtime to 'fatuous propaganda on behalf of the meat industry' and others complaining said Wark was 'far too supportive of Blythman's controversial views', instead of challenging them.

Listener Richard Peacock said: "I appreciate that the issue of BBC bias and balance is thrown around far too liberally, but I think if you're going to talk about an issue in these terms, then you need someone else to balance the viewpoint, whether that is someone who can accurately represent a vegan perspective or a presenter who will challenge the guest's claims."

David Gibbon added: "I heard this morning yet another fatuous piece of propaganda on behalf of the meat industry by some woman bleating on about jackfruit and avocados and Seventh Day Advertists. Would it be possible to get some sensible vegan opinions on the airwaves instead of trotting out these ridiculous caricatures of veganism all the time?"

One listener simply identified herself as 'Teresa from London'. She said that while Start the Week isn't a news program, when an institution 'insists on balance to the extent that Nigel Farage is never off the BBC and climate change deniers were given frequent coverage until recently', Wark's claims that eating 14-year-old beef will do no harm - implying this was to the environment and maybe even the animal - are 'ridiculous and offensive'.

Avocados were cited as being destructive to the environment(Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

Vegan charity Viva! published an 800-word statement in response to the program, saying the presenters made 'wild, unsubstantiated claims on all aspects of veganism from the environment to nutrition, and even human rights and culture', accusing the BBC of 'sharing misinformation and presenting it as fact'.

"How ironic to state that 'there is a plethora of information out there yet very little of it is authenticated' when the BBC themselves are sharing misinformation and presenting it as fact," Viva! added.

The statement tackled the claims made about avocados and jackfruit harming the environment, raised the issues of human rights violations committed through animal agriculture, looked at some of the health claims aired, and challenged the view that 'vegans have "lost the joy of eating'.

"The BBC has a duty to provide accurate, balanced information which is in the interest of the public. You failed to provide a counter-argument to the unsubstantiated claims made in this show," it added, while requesting the organization makes on-air corrections for the erroneously claims broadcast during the segment.

Read this article:

BBC Blasted Over 'Wild And Unsubstantiated' Negative Claims About Veganism - Plant Based News

Subway has launched a veganversion of its popular Meatball Marinara sub buttheres a catch.

The meat-free sandwich is not a permanent addition to Subways menu and is currently being trialled in selected stores inBirmingham and Manchester until 20 November.

However, the food chain wantsto introduce the new sub in all stores from next year.

From 15p 0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

We are currently trialling an exciting new vegan product, our Meatless Meatball Marinara, in a number of stores across the UK, a Subway spokesperson said in a statement.

We are hoping to introduce these nationwide early next year, so keep your eyes peeled, and we'll let you know once we have more information!"

The pop singer is a passionate animal rights advocate, telling Vanity Fair in 2019 that her diet also reflects her fashion choices: "Im challenging the system more than ever. Choosing to live as a sustainable vegan activist means wearing more vintage (less waste; loving pieces for longer), playing with the newest eco-materials and technology, and making custom vegan pieces with some of my favorite designers."

AFP/Getty Images

The Clueless star went vegan shortly after wrapping the hit 1990s film and has been a passionate campaigner for animal rights since. Speaking in a video for Compassionate Meals in 2017, she said: "Knowing the truth about where our food comes from is just so disturbing to me. Once you see it, theres no way to go back from that for me."

Getty Images

The music mogul revealed in a recent interview with The Sun that he decided to give up animal products earlier this year "on a whim", adding that he feels much better as a result.

Getty Images

"I started for health reasons," Williams told Health in 2019. "I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and I wanted to maintain my performance on the court. Once I started I fell in love with the concept of fueling your body in the best way possible. Not only does it help me on the court, but I feel like Im doing the right thing for me."

Getty

The American-Israeli actor decided to go vegan eight years ago after learning more about the environmental consequences of eating animal products. Speaking at an Environmental Media Awards benefit, 2017, she said: "Factory farming is responsible for most of the air, water, and land pollution - that disproportionately affects our poor communities as well. So we get to make decisions three times a day, what we do with our planet, and you can make a difference by even once a day or once a week choosing not to eat animals or animal products."

AFP/Getty Images

While she chooses to refer to herself as plant-based as opposed to vegan, the 'Halo' singer underwent a 22-day vegan challenge with husband Jay-Z in 2013 and is believed to have maintained the diet ever since. Writing in the foreword of The Greenprint: Plant-Based Diet, Best Body, Better World by Marco Borges, the couple say: "We used to think of health as a diet some worked for us, some didnt. Once we looked at health as the truth, instead of a diet, it became a mission for us to share that truth and lifestyle with as many people as possible."

Getty Images for Coachella

The British boxer extolled the virtues of veganism in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2016: "A lot of the meat that people eat has been genetically modified, or if it hasnt then the food the animals been fed has been. Thats tough for a human being to process, so cutting it out made me feel immediately better and stronger than ever."

Getty Images

The 'Dangerous Woman' singer announced she was going vegan in November 2018. Speaking to The Daily Mirror in a recent interview, she explained: "A lot of the meat that people eat has been genetically modified, or if it hasnt then the food the animals been fed has been. Thats tough for a human being to process, so cutting it out made me feel immediately better and stronger than ever."

AFP/Getty Images

The British singer has been toying with veganism for a while, having been a vegetarian for seven years. Speaking to The Cut in 2018, she revealed that she will "never eat fish or meat again" and eats a predominantly vegan diet.

Getty Images

The former heavyweight boxing champion revealed he had become vegan in 2010. "I wish I was born this way," he told Fox News in 2011. "When you find out about the processed stuff you have been eating. I wonder why I was crazy all those years."

Getty Images

The Zero Dark Thirty star decided to go vegan roughly 13 years ago because of low energy. Speaking to W Magazine in 2017, she clarified: "being vegan was not anything I ever wanted to be. I just really was listening to what my body was telling me."

Getty Images

Mara has been vegan for eight years, telling Harper's Bazaar in 2018 "its better for your health and the environment.

Getty Images

Reality star Kim Kardashian West revealed that she has started eating a plant-based diet on Instagram in April 2019. Sharing two photographs of vegan dishes on her Instagram story, the 38-year-old wrote: I am eating all plant-based when I am at home.

Getty

The pop singer is a passionate animal rights advocate, telling Vanity Fair in 2019 that her diet also reflects her fashion choices: "Im challenging the system more than ever. Choosing to live as a sustainable vegan activist means wearing more vintage (less waste; loving pieces for longer), playing with the newest eco-materials and technology, and making custom vegan pieces with some of my favorite designers."

AFP/Getty Images

The Clueless star went vegan shortly after wrapping the hit 1990s film and has been a passionate campaigner for animal rights since. Speaking in a video for Compassionate Meals in 2017, she said: "Knowing the truth about where our food comes from is just so disturbing to me. Once you see it, theres no way to go back from that for me."

Getty Images

The music mogul revealed in a recent interview with The Sun that he decided to give up animal products earlier this year "on a whim", adding that he feels much better as a result.

Getty Images

"I started for health reasons," Williams told Health in 2019. "I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and I wanted to maintain my performance on the court. Once I started I fell in love with the concept of fueling your body in the best way possible. Not only does it help me on the court, but I feel like Im doing the right thing for me."

Getty

The American-Israeli actor decided to go vegan eight years ago after learning more about the environmental consequences of eating animal products. Speaking at an Environmental Media Awards benefit, 2017, she said: "Factory farming is responsible for most of the air, water, and land pollution - that disproportionately affects our poor communities as well. So we get to make decisions three times a day, what we do with our planet, and you can make a difference by even once a day or once a week choosing not to eat animals or animal products."

AFP/Getty Images

While she chooses to refer to herself as plant-based as opposed to vegan, the 'Halo' singer underwent a 22-day vegan challenge with husband Jay-Z in 2013 and is believed to have maintained the diet ever since. Writing in the foreword of The Greenprint: Plant-Based Diet, Best Body, Better World by Marco Borges, the couple say: "We used to think of health as a diet some worked for us, some didnt. Once we looked at health as the truth, instead of a diet, it became a mission for us to share that truth and lifestyle with as many people as possible."

Getty Images for Coachella

The British boxer extolled the virtues of veganism in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2016: "A lot of the meat that people eat has been genetically modified, or if it hasnt then the food the animals been fed has been. Thats tough for a human being to process, so cutting it out made me feel immediately better and stronger than ever."

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The 'Dangerous Woman' singer announced she was going vegan in November 2018. Speaking to The Daily Mirror in a recent interview, she explained: "A lot of the meat that people eat has been genetically modified, or if it hasnt then the food the animals been fed has been. Thats tough for a human being to process, so cutting it out made me feel immediately better and stronger than ever."

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The British singer has been toying with veganism for a while, having been a vegetarian for seven years. Speaking to The Cut in 2018, she revealed that she will "never eat fish or meat again" and eats a predominantly vegan diet.

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The former heavyweight boxing champion revealed he had become vegan in 2010. "I wish I was born this way," he told Fox News in 2011. "When you find out about the processed stuff you have been eating. I wonder why I was crazy all those years."

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The Zero Dark Thirty star decided to go vegan roughly 13 years ago because of low energy. Speaking to W Magazine in 2017, she clarified: "being vegan was not anything I ever wanted to be. I just really was listening to what my body was telling me."

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Mara has been vegan for eight years, telling Harper's Bazaar in 2018 "its better for your health and the environment.

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Reality star Kim Kardashian West revealed that she has started eating a plant-based diet on Instagram in April 2019. Sharing two photographs of vegan dishes on her Instagram story, the 38-year-old wrote: I am eating all plant-based when I am at home.

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So, what is the Meatless Meatball Marinara made from?

The six-inch version of the meat-free option has four vegan meatballs covered in marinara sauce topped with alayer of vegan cheese.

Vegetarian fans can choose to swap out the vegan cheese for a dairy options, including American cheese and a grated mozzarella and cheddar blend.

Earlier this year, Subway launched a vegan version of the sub in 685stores in North America and plans to roll it out across the US and Canada pending demand.

The sandwich giant isn't the only retailer to increase its meat-freeofferings this year.

Earlier this month, Pret a Manger launched vegan versions of its most popular sandwiches, including a vegan take on the age-old BLT and a chuna mayo baguette.

Hannah Dolan, global head of food innovation at Pret, said the firm has worked really hard to mimic the tastes and textures of the original sandwiches in its Vegan Classics range.

This is all part of our mission to make it easier for customers to eat less meat, by offering delicious vegan and vegetarian food, Ms Dolan said.

In April 2018, it was reported that the number of people in the UK who identified as vegan had soared to 3.5m.

In 2016, 540,000 people in Britain over the age of 15 were following a plant-based diet, according to statistics published by The Vegan Society and Vegan Life.

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Vegan meatball Subway finally launches in the UK here's what you need to know - The Independent

Plant-based diets have many health benefits, from better heart health to lower risk of certain cancers. But eschewing meat and other animal products may not really improve your sex life, according to available evidence.

Meat-eating is often associated with masculinity in popular culture. We call muscular men "beefy," and words like "sausage" often euphemize male genitalia.

However, a growing number of advocates and experts hypothesize that it's actually a plant-based diet that best supports erection size and staying power.

The new vegan-friendly Netflix documentary, "The Game Changers" (produced by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, and James Cameron) dedicates a scene to exactly that topic, claiming that after a single plant-based meal, 3 young men found their erections lasted three times as long and were nearly 10% stronger.

Anecdotally, vegans have stronger, longer lasting erections but there's no evidence to back that up. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

The film features Dr. Aaron Spitz, urologist and author of "The Penis Book," a comprehensive medical guide to the human member.

In the movie, Spitz conducts a brief test on three male college athletes, measuring the girth, strength and duration of their erections over two nights as they sleep. The first night of the test, each of the men are given a meat-based burrito, and the resulting effects on their overnight erections is measured. The second night, the men are given plant-based burritos.

After eating the plant-based meal, all of the men showed an 8% increase in erection hardness, and a 300 to 500% increase in the amount of time their erections lasted, compared to the meat-based meal.

"This is not a scientifically validated study, but the results that we're seeing are very exciting," Spitz said in the film.

It turns out that those claims are supported by a rather flaccid body of evidence. Although anecdotal evidence is promising, there aren't yet any rigorous scientific studies to show a meat-free diet makes a difference on erections.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are typically low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which are plentiful in beef, pork, and dairy products. Healthy blood flow is also directly related to healthy erections high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vascular problems linked to meat-eating have also been linked to erectile dysfunction.

It's true that better cardiac health can improve overall blood flow, which may lead to better erections, said Dr. Seth Cohen, urologist at NYU Langone Health.

"The harder your heart has to work to pump blood to your organs and everywhere else, the less actually makes it to the penis." Cohen told Insider.

But it's too early to say how, or if, plant-based diets affect sexual health, since the research just hasn't been done, he said.

"There really isn't any good data to say that a vegan diet will improve your erections," Cohen added Research slated for late this year aims to prove the virility of a plant-powered erection. gLuBeR/Getty Images

A new study to test how veganism directly affects men's sexual health has been scheduled for late 2019 or early 2020, led by Dr. Robert Ostfeld of Montefiore Medical Center. The research is funded by the Purjes Foundation, a nonprofit created by financier Dan Purjes to promote the health benefits of a plant-based diet.

"To the best of my knowledge, this is the first and only research of this kind," Purjes told Insider via email. "To be clear, there are many anecdotal stories that are similar, but not clinical trials or other rigorous scientific studies."

Purjes said he hopes the trial confirms the hypothesis that a plant-based diet can help with erectile dysfunction, paving the way for more rigorous studies that could eventually bring the research to a mainstream audience.

Any future testing, Cohen added, would have to not only need to include more than three participants to be scientifically valid, but also account for other variables such as exercise, sleep, and other healthy lifestyle markers.

Diet does have a significant impact on health. What's good for the rest of your body is also good for your sex life for example, a 2004 study found a healthy diet and exercise could help mitigate erectile dysfunction in obese men.

However, the study doesn't specify a vegan diet, just one that's high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats and cholesterol. Other types of diets that fit this description like the Mediterranean diet, which includes fish have also been linked to improvement of erectile dysfunction. Exercise also plays a major role, according to the research.

"Diet and exercise together are the key to success. If you have someone that's eating a poor diet with a lot of meat and saturated fats and things to eating more vegetables, of course it'll be good for you," Cohen said. "Is it going to take your erections from zero to hero? I don't know."

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Your most recent meal may also have an immediate impact on your well-being; a small study found that eating a single fast food meal constricted the blood flow of otherwise healthy college students.

A healthy diet can include meat, but should also have lots of fresh produce, whole grains, and healthy fats, registered dietitian Bonnie Taub-Dix previously told Insider. And as always, any serious dietary changes should be done gradually and with careful planning.

"You don't have to be a vegan, in this case. Even going from a diet that is very animal product-heavy to one that is more plant-forward would be a good idea," she said.

Read more:

A vegan said he got sick after Domino's served him pizza with real ham. Here's what really happens when vegans eat meat

10 common questions about erectile dysfunction, answered

10 of your most embarrassing questions about penis health, answered)

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A vegan diet can boost erections, according to a new Netflix documentary. Here's the reality. - INSIDER

Something interesting can happen when we go vegan. We can remove ourselves so much from how most people live that we forget that our goal of changing the world for the better hinges on us being able to speak to and relate to those who arent like usin other words, people who still eat and use animals. Despite inroads in so many spheres, we are still a tiny minority of the population, which is why many of us seek out the community of other vegans. This makes sense, but building community at the expense of isolating ourselves can build echo chambers of the like-minded. This leads to living in bubbles where we forget that we are the main ambassadors to what many see as a perplexing but perhaps intriguing way of living. I have been thinking about this more and more as I recently saw my social media channels light up after the death of Food Network celebrity chef and restaurateur Carl Ruiz, who recently died in his sleep at the age of 44 of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a restriction of blood flow due to plaque buildup in the arteries.

An easy targetRuiz wasnt just an avid proponent of eating flesh, he was actively antagonistic towards meat-abstainers, and with his large platform, his early death was perhaps too tempting for some vegans to resist getting that last jab in. Having logged in a fair amount of time as an angry vegan myself, I honestly understand the impulse. I also understand that behaving like this is counter to any goals of getting people to consider veganism. Is there anyone among us who doesnt have a beloved family member or old friend who still eats meat, or even mocks vegans? Are we supposed to be okay with vegans breaking out the champagne and dancing a happy jig on their graves, too? The kindest people I have ever knownmy grandparentswere not remotely vegetarian, let alone vegan. Should I reassess how I think of them now that Im vegan? Should I try to erase my wonderful memories of them and assign them to the flaming trash pile where all the other non-vegans seemingly go?

A system of oppressionWe have to remember that animal agribusiness oppresses many people in addition to the animals so thoroughly victimized and ground up by its systems. From those living in the shadows of the concentrated animal-feeding operationsoften the least affluent people and primarily people of colorwho have their health and lives compromised by living in close proximity to these grotesquely polluting machines, to the horrific treatment of vulnerable workers in its death chambers, the cruelty and exploitation of the meat and animal products industries reach further than the animals we are trying to save. I would include those who die of heart disease when they should be at the prime of their lives as victims of this rapacious industry, regardless of that persons antipathy towards vegans. The animals people eat are the ultimate victims of the industry, of course, but lets not forget that the human toll is considerable as well, manifesting in ways rarely attributed to it. As activists, we should remember to connect those dots to the public.

Our ultimate goalFurther, if we are activists for the animals because we want to build a more just and compassionate world, shouldnt we care about our effectiveness? Is laughing at someone posthumously likely going to result in better outcomes for the animals? People are going to have to hear and accept our message if we have any hope of overcoming the deep cultural conditioning and considerable obstacles to veganism if we are going to effect change for the animals. How can we do this if people dismiss vegans as judgmental and callous, even sadistic? If our only goal is to create better outcomes for the animals and we truly do not care about other people, we should want to be kind for that reason alone, because how you treat people matters with regard to them accepting or rejecting your message.

Its not a laughing matterIm not saying vegans should all aspire to be nice all the time, because the animals depend on us sharing some very harsh truths with the world about the tragic lives they are forced to live. I am certainly not saying we should shy away from exposing people to their lived reality because they depend on us to be honest and, as we know, sometimes the truth hurts. We all will have different ways of expressing this and I think a diversity of approaches works because different communication strategies get through to different people. Some people prefer bluntness; some prefer gentleness. That said, laughing at someones deathsomeone who should not have died of restricted blood flow at the age of 44is really not going to appeal to much more than the echo chamber and our little vegan bubbles. In other words, it will not benefit the animals at all.

Marla Rose is co-founding partner of VeganStreet.com.

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As Vegans, We Need to Show More Compassion Towards Those Who Aren't Like Us - VegNews