Great question!

Some things that there may be value in considering when attempting to determine why, when a vegan diet seems a healthy, environmentally sound and kind choice many people choose to eat animal products:

A reasonable choice is not always a compelling choice. Many of us could walk to work each day, but we do not. There are likely many reasons that we should, however, the option is not compelling enough to motivate us to make the necessary changes to change our morning rituals. Reason is an influencing force in daily decisions, however, there are other influences that play a role in the habits that we develop. To change a habit may require a strong emotional influence to make it compelling enough to evoke the action of change.

As food consumers we are subjected to dozens, if not hundreds, of what may seem to be reasonable choices. Even if a vegan diet seems reasonable it is likely only one option among several competing seemingly reasonable options. It does not require much media consumption to be exposed to what are claimed to be science-based, time-tested and celebrity endorsed nutritional options. In a field of choices that appear to be equal the action taken tends to be toward the option that requires the least effort and includes the least risk.

Veganism is not yet the choice made. The evidence is that living a vegan lifestyle is a growing trend around the world. Though still a small percentage of people are enjoying the benefits of living a healthier and kinder lifestyle, the number is, by all reports, increasing. It may the case that those “why aren’t you vegan” folks are really “I am not vegan YET” folks and that they will eventually become “wow, it is great being vegan” folks.

It is my experience that being a good ambassador for the vegan lifestyle means demonstrating the health and joy it engenders and it is not about questioning the choices of others. It is likely that even the most die-hard vegan engages in some behavior that would be easy to consider unreasonable. Remembering that I cannot step from my door without disturbing, disrupting and likely destroying some other being with whom I share the planet arises with a humility that keeps me from being cynical about the choices of others and committed to demonstrating the kindness that may attract others to consider veganism.