Why are you not vegan?

[Vanillasoy]

Firstly, this is not an attack on non-vegans.

I would like hear from vegetarians about why they choose to consume eggs and/or dairy and why they do not plan on becoming vegan. If you are vegetarian but aspire to become vegan, please don't reply. If you do not want to become vegan because it is too hard or you don't know what to eat if you didn't have eggs/milk etc., please don't reply. I would like to hear from long-term vegetarians (more than a few years) about why they are okay with consuming eggs and/or dairy, and why they will never become vegan, or at least don't want to become vegan. Is a vegan diet unhealthy? Dangerous? Unnecessary to prevent animal suffering?

Once again, I'm not trying to attack anyone or question anyone's ethics. Just looking for opinions.

Thanks.  

[capewell5]

I can not answer for anyone but for myself.  Our choice to become  vegetarian though we do not call ourselves vegetarians, was not for ethical reasons.  In my own personal beliefs I do believe there is nothing wrong with eating animals & that we are designed to do so but not in large quantities & not animals being force-fed soy & corn, stuck in a lot , knee high in feces. 

We chose our lifestyle because of the cost of true free ranged, grass fed & finished meats. 

However we have an affordable source for eggs from chickens that are truly free ranged and allowed to eat their natural diet (bugs included).  Dairy & Dairy products from grass fed, free ranged cows that are only given antibiotics if they fall ill & not milked when they fall ill.

I don't have a problem with anyone who does it for ethical reasons, or any reason, but it is not for me or my family.  I have many reasons why will never be vegan but i do not want anyone to think I'm attacking their lifestyle, but a lot of it has to do with the low fat, low protein & high amounts of carbs.  Those types of diets may work for some people, but my body needs a good deal of fat (both heart healthy & animal fat, usually butter & whole milk, whole milk yogurt) & protein (eggs, I'm allergic to soy in all forms) & low carb (sugar naturally found in fruits & veg, small amounts of grains) or I'll overeat, crave unhealthy things, be moody, get lightheaded, & etc.  I know my body, and while i could survive, i would make for a miserable vegan & probably end up as a junk food vegan, which is not healthy for me.  I would however be supportive if my husband or children wanted to become vegan.

In the end & IMHO I don't think Vegan-ism is for everybody, Vegetarian too is not for everyone.  Its a lifestyle choice, just like any others, and should be done with care.