verde menu looks great! going to try the impossible teriyaki soon.

love the food here and the verde menu is great!

@bigfatnyancat I love the impossible teriyaki, I think I've had it 4 or 5 times already! 😁

Great to see a business that actually spent the time and effort to create a great vegan menu. Wish more businesses did that, instead of introducing a below average burger or a sad saald....

A deep dive into how PizzaExpress Singapore introduced their first vegan menu

# A full case study on how this chain in Singapore introduced its first vegan menu 

![Verde](https://imagedelivery.net/hhZzKJCQsEDsVEGQ2sIMyg/res/abillionveg/image/upload/rdhhrdbcnatgxnkvskoc/1561952184.jpg/w=700)
###### A recipe for sustainability

#### PizzaExpress, a multinational pizza and Italian restaurant chain, took the leap and the lead in Southeast Asia to put plant-based dishes front and center of their brand image. Not only was it a hit, but it set in motion trends for increased customer feedback and engagement, promotion, and brand visibility. By using a thoughtful combination of tastings, partnerships with review platforms like abillionveg, and harnessing the power of social media and advertising, PizzaExpress elevated their Verde - a fully vegetarian and vegan - menu to appeal to a customer base so broad and vocal that they were able to revamp and relaunch after just 4 months.

#### Download [the full case study here](http://bit.ly/2JerWNq) to find out how this Italian chain flipped plant-based and used the most unique marketing tool. 

# A full case study on how this chain in Singapore introduced its first vegan menu 

![Verde](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/rdhhrdbcnatgxnkvskoc/1561952184.jpg/w=700)
###### A recipe for sustainability

#### PizzaExpress, a multinational pizza and Italian restaurant chain, took the leap and the lead in Southeast Asia to put plant-based dishes front and center of their brand image. Not only was it a hit, but it set in motion trends for increased customer feedback and engagement, promotion, and brand visibility. By using a thoughtful combination of tastings, partnerships with review platforms like abillionveg, and harnessing the power of social media and advertising, PizzaExpress elevated their Verde - a fully vegetarian and vegan - menu to appeal to a customer base so broad and vocal that they were able to revamp and relaunch after just 4 months.

#### Download [the full case study here](http://bit.ly/2JerWNq) to find out how this Italian chain flipped plant-based and used the most unique marketing tool. 

abillionveg Case Study: PizzaExpress

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Great to see Afterglow doing more 100% plant-based options!

Great article!! Love the idea behind the teriyaki mushroom meatballs, so thoughtful 😂😂

wow the burger looks great! i love fried cauliflower!

wow always wanted to try this place ❤️

Experiment like crazy - that's what Afterglow is all about.  

### _At the abillionveg for Business table, we’re serving up the stories of the restaurants, cafes, and companies who are driving forward a more plant-based F&B industry._

### Experiment like crazy  - that’s what Afterglow is all about. Their culinary team comes from all walks of life without traditional culinary backgrounds. What puts Afterglow at the forefront of the plant-based scene in Singapore is a relentless drive to innovate and draw inspiration from the world, but also from their customers!

![Carmen at afterglow](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/gkuzhileqszmwioa5rdt/1552358390.jpg/w=700)
###### Carmen discussing Afterglow’s menu items with her staff.

#### When Carmen opened Afterglow 5 years ago, it was one of the first health-focused vegetarian restaurants in Singapore. Interest in veganism has spiked in the last year or two, and Carmen remarks that teenagers will come into her restaurant and have conversations about sustainability and vegetarianism. Since the year started, there has been an influx of people, ranging from families to school kids, all searching for healthier food and a more sustainable lifestyle.

#### With a youthful, energetic team, Afterglow has ridden the tide of the surging plant-based trend by unleashing unique dishes with a crazy, experimental spirit. The dish which best tells Afterglow’s story was conceptualized 9 years ago, in China.

![avo kimchi roll](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/kmtz98ycvpcn0ovfwvsd/1552358944.jpg/w=700)
###### Afterglow’s cornerstone menu item: the avocado kimchi roll. Image: Afterglow

#### The Avocado Kimchi Roll was a game-changer, says Carmen. While living in China, a series of major food scandals including swine flu and a tsunami rendered Carmen to become vegetarian by default. She became bored eating salads for 3 months until a friend, a raw food chef, invited Carmen to their home. One of the dishes there was the avocado kimchi roll. “When I ate it together with cauliflower rice in a pate, I was like wow this tastes like chicken, in terms of the complexity of flavors. That how it all started.” 

#### When Carmen came back to Singapore, she noticed a growing group of people keen to include more healthy, clean options. “The majority in Singapore are not vegetarian or vegan, but people understand the purpose and vision behind it; a day to go meatless or eat clean,” she says.
 
 ![Tofu Seafood Caviar Burger](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/wmqqv4gj36ydq6srjm6w/1552358974.jpg/w=700)
###### The tofu seafood caviar burger. Image: abillionveg
 
#### Afterglow’s next creation is still in trial, but it sold out in mere days in its first release. The Tofu Seafood Caviar Burger was born in a brainstorming session to answer the question - but what about seafood? “This is our take on a seafood burger. We couldn’t really find recipes online, because nobody has done it before,” Carmen recounts.
 
#### The patty is made from firm tofu, marinated overnight with a vegan seafood sauce then wrapped in a yellowish crust of chickpea, capers, peppers, and layered with seaweed. To make the caviar, chia seeds are soaked in two types of seaweed (fresh and dried) to give a true, seawater salt taste. It comes out powerful enough to require just a small amount drizzled onto cherry tomatoes. Cashew dill tartar, fermented cucumbers round off the seafood flavor combination. It’s complex, but not heavy. Layers of flavor come out as you continue to eat.

 ![Layers](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/k7pwlkvtshnp37qwyd8f/1552358980.jpg/w=700)
 ###### The layers of flavor in the tofu seafood caviar burger.
 
#### Afterglow has also taken note of the less experimental clientele they receive and have created dishes for them. “Most of our clientele will be women, you know who bring their reluctant boyfriends - we sell beer just to cater to them, the grumpy guys! - and so we thought, let’s create something for the grumpy men!” Thus was born the Teriyaki Mushroom Meatball.

![Teriyaki mushroom meatballs](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/dxiyygbhazkbvw6hn5ci/1552358997.jpg/w=700)
###### Teriyaki mushroom "meatballs" on a bed of romaine. Image: abillionveg

### Drawing inspiration from around the world and right at the table

#### Carmen travels the world to find inspiration for Afterglow’s food, but is also open to co-creating dishes with customers sitting right in her restaurant.

#### “We get so many customers who chat with us on social media. So we invite them to have a chat and they share about the recipes they’ve been creating. We ask - do you want to co-create something? Share a recipe with me, and my chef will create their take on it.”

#### Trailblazing new culinary creations means that Afterglow finds themselves in a constant flux of feedback and iteration. That’s why review platforms like abillionveg are crucial.

#### “Nobody has done this before. What we do is not like cooking a classic dish. We’re very open to feedback and we need to keep getting more of it. Reviews are really good, like comments on how we can improve. We can only draw inspiration from around the world,” says Carmen.

![olives](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/gyzzlz4zari0my0xehh1/1552359037.jpg/w=700)
###### The Israeli palate for food includes plant-based favorites like hummus, falafel, and olives. Image: Afterglow

#### Carmen’s latest inspiration comes from a recent trip to Israel where she was amazed to see how plant-based food is usually half the menu - even at a kebab restaurant! Her greatest takeaway is to start Sunday sharing sessions with invitees from across sectors to discuss sustainability. With dishes in R&D from the Israel trip, the kick off event will be Middle-Eastern themed: Dates & Palms.

![spices](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/ra0pyvnxpj3orv0v30vs/1552359012.jpg/w=700)
###### The abundance of flavor and spices from Carmen’s trip to Israel are inspiring exciting new dishes in Afterglow’s kitchen. Image: Afterglow

#### “Sustainability goes way beyond food,” remarks Carmen. “Right now our food is going mostly to those who are more awakened, not to the mass public. We want to gather people from different industries. We want to curate it as such that each faction adds onto the conversations by inviting businesses into this sustainability discussion to share visions and stories.”

#### Turning the online world into offline with one-on-one conversations is what these series of sustainability talks will be about. If you visit Afterglow, review your meal online, engage in a discussion offline, and join abillionveg and Afterglow in their missions to make the world more plant-based.

abillionveg for Business: Afterglow

Gracias por la información !!!! Muy interesante

Thanks for good, informative article. Well written. This site is a blessing for vegans and all animals!

Thank you for this! Very informative ♥️ 🌱

Impresionante la cantidad de productos para el cabello q promocionan la keratina terrib

T errible el uso de.keratina y otros que buena. Información

I think its awful how they use words to hide the truth!  Thank you for making this list.

Keratin.. wow.. didn't know it was from animals

Squalene can also be derived from olive oil. Glycerin can also come from mineral oil. So more and more vegan alternatives for animal derived ingredients become available. I'm also a bit surprised that Cera alba (beeswax) was not included in your list.

@wnterpast Heartily agree! This site is an absolute blessing for vegans and all animals. It is also a blessing for those aspiring to become vegans.

@soniamackey Neither did I! No more purchases of keratin products by me!

Thanks @murumuru for mentioning this.We’ve updated our list of ingredients to avoid, and included cera alba.You can also expect an upcoming article which will be focusing on ingredients that are not vegan but are found in food products 🙂

Very detailed.saving it.thank you for getting it so handy!!

Yessss. Love that you explained the verbiage of "not tested on animals" just like when they say "natural" great article keep writing about beauty products, we love it!

Lush cosmetics are the best! Absolutely love a lot of what they put out.

Thank you so much!! Looking forward to your next article.

Our beauty products are chosen with care. We want the products we choose to resonate with our skin and ethics. This article highlights the top 5 products that are loved by the abillionveg community, and highlights the importance of choosing vegan skin-care products.

![colorful makeup](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/xf8my2cbby7umw9618fw/1589860384.jpg/w=700)
#### When you look good, you feel good! 
#### We use beauty products to enhance our beauty and express ourselves. However, when it comes to vegan beauty-products, things get a bit confusing. At the moment, we don't have a standardized logo to guide us when buying, so we have to resort to looking at a complex maze of ingredients to determine if the product is vegan or not. If you have already spent time looking at beauty products,  you'd have realized that these products fall under a spectrum. A product can either be all or none of them.
#### **Vegan** products don't have any animal-derived ingredients. 
#### **Vegetarian** products contain animal-derived products. They may also be tested on animals.
#### **Cruelty-free** products aren't tested on animals, but they can have animal-derived ingredients.

#### **_Pro tip_**: Some companies use the term "Not tested on animals". This means that the finished product isn't tested on animals, but the ingredients may or may not be animal tested. 
![makeup palette](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/ipccnxvqrmdmzxrurr78/1589860920.jpg/w=700)

### Top 5 products that the abillionveg community is loving
#### These are some of the cruelty-free beauty products that the abillionveg community loves.
#### **1. [Alchemist Holographic Palette](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5da32187f1020400206b7dfc?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)**
#### Spread joy of colors with this Alchemist Palette. An eye, lip, and face transformer, this palette is perfect to keep in your bag. While the palette is small, the quality of the pigments is great. You only need a touch of color, for it to last for hours. Ideal for your office-to-party transformations!
![Alchemist Holographic Palette](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/bluexihg7qbshvhiolme/1589191383.png/w=700)
[@heymacarena's](https://www.abillionveg.com/users/heymacarena?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) review of [Alchemist Holographic Palette](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5da32187f1020400206b7dfc?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) 

#### 2. **[Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5d94dd21a96d7900203043b1?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)**
#### A water-based foundation that gives a radiant finish. It's buildable and works well with other products. This is a  long-lasting foundation that works best on oily to normal skin.
![velvetizer](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/a77y2stfryjhccgrmwhf/1590141491.jpg/w=700)
[@lifewithzandra's](https://www.abillionveg.com/users/lifewithzandra?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) review of [Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5d94dd21a96d7900203043b1?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)

#### 3. **[Human Nature Liquid Lipstick](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5e8ecfebb8da8707463034d4?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)**
#### If you're interested in beauty, you've probably heard of Jeffree Star. While most of Jeffree Star Cosmetics products are vegan, cruelty-free, and all-round amazing, we love this Human Nature Liquid Lipstick. It's on the darker side, and will successfully bring out the sexy in you! 
![Human Nature Liquid Lipstick](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/bnjgtick30oghgxgrqx8/1590128300.jpg/w=700)
[@lou's](https://www.abillionveg.com/users/lou?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) review of [Human Nature Liquid Lipstick](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5e8ecfebb8da8707463034d4?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)
#### 4. **[Rub Rub Rub](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5d436f9960309900045dcade?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)**
#### LUSH Cosmetics is known to come out with the best vegan and cruelty-free products. It's Rub Rub Rub shower scrub works great on all skin types. It's gentle on the skin and smells divine!
![Rub Rub Rub](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/stxsuevyuj6bp1vapzsl/1590142943.jpg/w=700)
[@katelouisepowell's](https://www.abillionveg.com/users/katelouisepowell?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) review of [Rub Rub Rub](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5d436f9960309900045dcade?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)
#### 5. **[Raydiate Vitamin C Elixir](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5e2ab6823681be0020c65f7f?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)**
#### A specially designed syrum+oil formula that helps give your skin that extra shine! with an added boost of vitamin C. When you apply products that are rich in vitamin C directly onto your skin, it aids in rejuvenating and repairing damaged skin. Thus, with regular application, you get a natural youthful glow!

![Raydiate Vitamin C Elixir](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/idhfgytjkfzheez5jeef/1590142287.jpg/w=700)
[@xuewen's](https://www.abillionveg.com/users/xuewen?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article) review of [Raydiate Vitamin C Elixir](https://www.abillionveg.com/products/5e2ab6823681be0020c65f7f?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article)
### But, why should you care about vegan beauty products?

#### Tata Harper, the founder of [Tata Harper Skincare](https://www.abillionveg.com/brands/5d56e3a121177f00046dda2e?utm_source=abillionveg&utm_medium=cosmetics_article), says, "Beauty follows food because we use a lot of the same ingredients. If they're good to ingest, then they're typically great to apply topically." If you're abstaining or trying to decrease your consumption of animal and animal-derived products, it makes sense to apply the same philosophy when it comes to beauty products.
#### The philosophy applies even if you're concerned about the harm done to animals when products are tested on them. When you choose cruelty-free products, you decide not to invest in the harm that comes to these animals. You can read more about this in our article, [What is Animal Testing?](https://www.abillionveg.com/articles/animal-testing?utm_source=article&utm_medium=article).
#### Let us know some of your favorite vegan and cruelty-free beauty products in the comments below.



Cosmetics & Veganism: Top 5 Cruelty-free Beauty Products We Love!

baby steps is the way to go! introduce good vegan food to yr friends and they won't be so averse to eating plant based

For the starving people in the world, for economical reasons etc.

🙏🙏🙏for the earth, for animals and for health.

Empeze siendo vegetariana y ahora ya vegana tengo poco tiempo pero nunca eh estado familiarizada con la carne comía poco pollo,carne no,atun si..pero ya gracias a Dios todo eso puede cambiar.. cuando conciencitazamos el daño que hacemos tanto a los animales perjudicados también nuestra salud somos conscientes

@tomyrivaderovegan desde hace 2016. Saludos de Chipre

Humans need to care for the animals. We need to get out of our selfish selves and recognize that there is a whole world out there that we need to care for ❤️

Considering Veganism? These reasons will help you decide!

![Why go vegan](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/twiz77mpkd0eobtcppzr/1576654726.png/w=700)

### **REASONS TO GO VEGAN**

####  _"The most dangerous phrase in our language is - We’ve always done it this way."_ _Grace Hopper_ 

####  Veganism is steadily becoming the most popular diet around the world. At its heart, it excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. By not using animal products, you - by definition - don’t contribute to suffering. There’s a lot to be said for veganism. The conscious eater would no longer be confused about what we can or cannot eat. If you care about what you put in your mouth, it is probably the most black and white way to approach veganism.

#### If you’ve been considering taking steps towards a more compassionate life, now is a perfect time. We enjoy soft, melty cheese on our pizzas, juicy burgers, decadent desserts and multi-course Michelin-starred restaurants – all without compromising on ethics. Need another little nudge to get you moving in the right direction? We're here to help. 


### **For Your Health**
![Health](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/rsndidp2es6rg2ofqapk/1576677762.jpg/w=700)

#### Many [reports](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/) about veganism and plant-based diets have been documented in the last few decades. Vegans have lower risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type-2 diabetes than meat-eaters. Vegans’ blood cholesterol levels are typically 35% lower than those of omnivores. Whole, plant-based foods help achieve optimal health compared to animal products, which are the only sources of dietary cholesterol, plant-based diets are naturally [heart-healthy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4991921/). 

## _What about protein_

#### One of the biggest concerns of people making the transition to a vegan lifestyle is whether or not their daily protein intake requirements are met. Contrary to popular belief, protein is actually present in most plant-based foods, and they have a further range of health benefits that you might not even be considering. Think whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. 1.5 cups of black beans has 22.5 grams of protein, even more than 3 oz of ground beef, which has 22 grams. Black beans easily take the crown in the "which has the most protein" face-off for easiest on the body, for easiest to prepare and eat, for easiest on the Earth and providing more nutritional benefits than a beef patty. A mere 1.5 cups of lentils contains as much protein 3 oz of chicken breast--not only that--lentils also contain the dietary fiber that you can't get in meat. Plant-based alternatives easily provide you with the same amount of, if not more protein than your meat counterparts. Further, many plant-based foods are easily accessible at your local grocery store or farmers’ market, not to mention that they are also easier on your wallet.

#### By forgoing animal protein, you won’t need to worry about calcium loss attributable to high-protein diets. Weight conscious people will be glad to learn that vegetarians have a lower body-mass index (BMI) than omnivores, and a common experience reported among people transitioning to a plant-based diet or veganism is that they very fast, and very easily, shed a few pounds, have more energy and stamina, and feel better having made the leap from meaty to meat-free. Best of all, vegans, on average, live 6 to 10 years longer than meat-eaters!

### **For the Environment** 
![Environment](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/vwvseue9fhj7vf4bbdhw/1578386214.jpg/w=700)

#### The Amazon Rainforest is often called the “Lungs of the Planet”. Animal agriculture is responsible for up to 91% of Amazon destruction since 1970, as reported by [The World Bank.](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/15060/277150PAPER0wbwp0no1022.pdf?sequence=1) A [2018 Oxford University study](https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987/tab-pdf) found that the meat and dairy industry are responsible for 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and even if people did nothing else but removed animal products from their diets, they'd reduce their carbon footprint by a whopping 73%! We’re in the midst of a terrible ecological devastation. Carbon offsetting is imperative among today’s eco-friendly state, and by going vegan, you’re making a difference! By merely eliminating meat and dairy from your diet, you’re already doing more for the environment than if you were to exchange your gas-guzzling car for an electric one. 

#### When the United Nations released its [2007 environmental report,](http://www.iri.edu.ar/publicaciones_iri/anuario/CD%20Anuario%202008/Mayd/PNUMA.pdf) many were shocked to learn that industrialized animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse-gas pollution than all of the world’s automobile emissions combined. Raising animals for food takes up 45% of the Earth’s total land. 1-2 acres of rainforest are cleared every second, causing habitat loss and species extinction. Livestock production also accounts for over 8% of global water use and is the number one cause of water pollution worldwide. When you consider that 64% of the world is expected to feel the stress of water shortages by 2025, going vegan just makes sense.

#### As countries around the world continue to industrialize and develop, the demand for meat increases. Sadly, 70% of what was once the Amazon rainforest is now used for grazing animals, and with each tree that disappears, the earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the air diminishes, placing a higher environmental toll on our already-burdened planet. A study by [Beyond Meat and the University of Michigan](http://css.umich.edu/publication/beyond-meats-beyond-burger-life-cycle-assessment-detailed-comparison-between-plant-based) showed that the average American--who eats about 3 burgers per week--could save the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by 12 million cars just by simply swapping a meal a week to a plant-based one. 

#### Plant-based “meat” production use up to 99% less water and 95% less land, and generates up to 90% fewer emissions than regular beef burgers, whilst consuming nearly half the energy. A close examination of the big environmental picture and the role that animal agriculture plays in global warming will have you swapping that cheeseburger for a vegan one in no time.

##### **Fact:** It takes 27 times more petroleum to produce a hamburger than it does a veggie burger

### **For The Animals** 
![Animals](https://imagedelivery.net/olI9wp0b6luWFB9nPfnqjQ/res/abillionveg/image/upload/kkvwhihsyf6butbfnpth/1578386366.jpg/w=700)
#### _“The question is not, can they reason? Nor can they talk? But can they suffer?”_ _Jeremy Bentham_

#### With veganism on the rise, and entire supermarkets aisles now dedicated to vegan food products, it’s a good time to consider what motivates people to go vegan, like negative health effects of excessive meat and dairy consumption and the enormous environmental impacts of industrial agriculture as mentioned above. If you love animals, adopting a vegan lifestyle is the most profound way to align your actions with your ethics. A [2015 Guardian article](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/25/industrial-farming-one-worst-crimes-history-ethical-question) referring to the suffering of billions of animals each year in factory farming as one of the “worst crimes in history” could possibly be the most powerful motivation for swapping chicken for tofu. 

#### Animal agriculture is responsible for causing the largest mass species extinction and by 2048 our oceans could be fish-less. The horrific cruelty involved in industrial factory farming reduces these living beings to mere profitable commodities and is where eradicating animal agriculture finds firmer ground. New legislation is being introduced in several countries to allow our feathered friends some basic rights, but there really is no such thing as a “cruelty-free” egg or “humanely-raised’ chicken, even if it is labeled cage-free. The ways in which animals are currently treated in the meat and dairy industry could not be further from respect or compassion.

## _**Animals in factory farms**_

## _Chickens_

#### There are two different breeds of chicken in factory farms. There is the breed of chicken used for modern egg production and the breed used for meat production. Each has been selectively bred for hyper-production: egg-laying hens for high egg volume, and "meat" chickens for rapid growth and maximum breast yield. Both types suffer from physical problems brought on by poor treatments in such farms. They are raised indoors in large sheds containing thousands of chickens (or more) crowded together on top of their own waste and without adequate ventilation. The conditions are so unsanitary that high ammonia levels develop, causing the chickens to have irritated eyes, throats, and skin. Because of selective breeding, combined with antibiotics, excessive feeding, and inadequate exercise, most industrially raised chickens grow unnaturally quickly and disproportionately. While their breasts grow large to meet market demand, their bones and organs lag behind. This results in many suffering from heart failure, breathing difficulties, leg weakness, chronic pain and an inability to support their own weight. 

## _Cows_

#### Just like humans, cows only produce milk after they've given birth. To keep a constant supply of milk, the cows have to be artificially inseminated. The gestation period lasts nine months, so the majority of dairy cows' lives are spent pregnant. 

#### A calf is separated from its mother the same day he/she is born so that he/she doesn't "take from" the dairy farm by drinking his/her mother's milk. This causes trauma for the mother cows with natural, maternal instincts. Some mother cows even chase after trucks that carry their calf away. Some cry out loud for days, mourning the loss of their offspring. Male calves are slaughtered for veal, and the females become the next generation of dairy cows. After 2 to 5 years of age, their milk production would have slowed and they would become too weak or ill to continue in the industry. At that point, they are then slaughtered for beef. 

## _Fish_

#### Like industrial land-based farms, farmed fish are often housed in overcrowded conditions where injury, diseases and stress are ever-present. Industrial fisheries are reliant on antibiotics to treat the parasites and diseases caused by these unnatural conditions. Currently, there are no rules or regulations around the "humane" treatment of fish. This means that unlike chickens and cows who are stunned before slaughter, fishes are fully conscious when they are killed, commonly by bleeding, suffocating or freezing to death.

#### Suffering is inextricably linked to the production of animal products, and the decades of devaluing and reducing the lives of farm animals to nothing more than commodities for human consumption. This has become massively detrimental, not only to our health but to our planet as well. Buying animal products adds to the demand and indirectly supports the industry that's the leading cause of ocean dead zones, water pollution, habitat destruction, species extinction, and greenhouse gas emissions. 

#### The road to veganism can be taken in baby steps. If saying goodbye to your beloved ham and cheese sandwiches brings a tear to your eye, cry no more. Vegan alternatives – from [Omnipork](https://omnipork.co) to all types of vegan cheese await you at supermarkets around the world. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. Take the time you need and don’t fret too much about slip-ups. 

#### What are or will be your reasons for going vegan? Share your reasons in the comments below!

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