BY
Adrienne Tan
The UrbanWire Social Media  Manager

Hype Issue #59

Published on

August 2, 2024

Eggs are definitely an animal product. That’s what I mused out loud when I came across a video on a popular vegan influencer’s TikTok page, where she was showcasing a vegan poached egg at a Christmas dinner.

Undoubtedly, I was confused. My personal recollections with regards to vegan or even vegetarian food mostly include the economical bee hoon and mixed vegetable rice stalls near my home. Upon further perusal of social media sites and restaurant menus in Singapore, my horizons have been broadened. From vegan stingray to seafood-less sushi, one thing was clear in my mind: veganism is a force to be reckoned with. But it also led me to my next train of thought: Why do people choose to become vegan?

The Healthy Foodie

Enter Emily, a dietician and content creator who goes by @fruityemz on Instagram. Boasting over 49 thousand followers on Instagram, she creates popular and delectable recipes on social media – which are entirely vegan.

Emily has created her social media presence through her vegan recipes. Photo courtesy of: Emily.

Experimenting with food developed her passion for nutrition, healthy living, and cooking. Although we often say that old habits die hard, especially as cutting off animal food products after at least a decade of consuming them is usually a difficult task, Emily opted to go vegan at 15 years old for health reasons — overnight and cold turkey. 

While she told The Centre for a Responsible Future that it posed difficulty at first (as she used to dislike vegetables), she persevered and has no regrets to date.

As of 2023, an estimated 5% of Singapore’s population are either vegetarian or vegan. That is over 290,000 people. This number, as well as the demand for animal-free products, is only projected to increase not just locally, but all over the world as people become more health-conscious and aware of how their diets affect the environment.

Misconceptions about Veganism

One of the most common misconceptions about veganism surrounds nutrition deficiency. It can be common for people to think that veganism compromises the intake of nutrients like calcium and protein, or that a meatless diet is not filling enough. Research reports also show that eliminating animal foods can create Omega-3 and iron deficits. 

On the other hand, Emily explains that essential nutrients, including healthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, can still be found in various sources such as avocado, nut butter, and tofu. With good meal planning, the job of hitting the sufficient nutrient intake is achievable.

Vegan teriyaki jackfruit, one of Emily’s recipes. Photo taken from @fruityemz on Instagram.

Apart from concerns about nutrition deficiency, there is also the perception that vegan dining options are limited as many restaurants do not provide vegan options. However, there has been a reported rise of vegan companies in recent years. One example is Impossible Foods, a company specialising in plant-based meat which now sells their products in over 700 places in Singapore, just about tripling the number since 2020. This also puts to rest another myth about veganism: that a plant-based diet is simply “green” – full of vegetables with little variety.

However, Emily is not a big fan of the plant-based meat initiative. For her, it is still not as healthy as a whole foods-based vegan diet, as it is ultimately still processed food. Ironically, research shows that because it is plant-based, more processing and ingredients like sodium are needed for it to imitate actual meat.

Upon browsing through Emily’s numerous recipes, it was truly eye-opening to see all the diverse and nutritious meals that could be created – all without a single animal product. From cinnamon buns to even jjajangmyeon, many of her creations appear to be just as convincing (and as delicious) as the originals. Whether you are a fan of plant-based meat or not, it seems that there is something for everyone.

Vegan Ferrero Rocher crepes, another of Emily’s recipes. Photo taken from @fruityemz on Instagram.

So…why do people choose to become vegan?

There are multiple reasons for an individual to transition into a plant-based lifestyle. For some, health can be a major factor in the drastic change. Medical News Today explains that as a vegan diet is generally low in saturated fat and higher in fibre, it lowers blood sugar levels, improves kidney health, and reduces the risk of diseases due to high antioxidant levels. This makes it a recommended diet for diabetics and patients with heart issues.

According to Healthline, veganism is also considered a “lifestyle strongly anchored in animal rights”. This applies more to individuals who go the extra step and become ethical vegans. 

But what is the difference between ethical and “regular” veganism? The difference is that ethical veganism is not only about watching what we eat. It also involves cutting off the use of animal products in most, if not all aspects of our lives, including clothing, daily-use items, and anything that is created with the help of animal testing. Additionally, ethical vegans avoid activities that use animals for entertainment, such as racing or circuses.

A breakdown on vegans worldwide and the factors that encourage them to turn vegan. Infographic by Adrienne Tan.

Transitioning into an animal-free lifestyle is never easy, especially as it is tough to trace everything we use back to its source, which could limit what vegans can consume and which businesses they patronise. But, as more individuals and corporations innovate with ingredients and methods, vegans can look forward to bigger and better gastronomical opportunities – taking what Emily does for example.

Despite all the recent developments in the vegan industry, there is still a large majority of people who do not follow the same dietary habits. However, Emily emphasises the need to be a little less rigid when that happens, and explains that it is unhealthy to only be surrounded by people with the same views, while not taking in the opinions of others who do not.

So, to answer the question of why people choose to go vegan: there is no set answer. It really depends on the unique reasons and circumstances each individual faces, weighed against the challenges, and the major transition they may face. 

At the end of the day, no matter what reason we change our consumption habits for, it is important to be mindful of our decision, as we are ultimately what we eat.