Why do people hate vegans?

[La Coliniere]

11. Some vegans can be judgmental and cult-like, unfortunately.

Not eating meat and animal derived foods is a personal choice people make based on a variety of different reasons. I had been a vegetarian for many years, but I started reading meta nutrition studies that seemed to suggest the more animal foods one includes in their diets, the higher the incidence of many different kinds of diseases, from heart disease, to autoimmune diseases, to various types of cancer. Colin T Campbell’s book The China Study also pointed this fact out. So 9 years ago I stopped eating eggs and dairy as well. I did this on my own, with little support, and for many reasons I’m glad I did. However, once I connected with other local people who were also vegan I understood that there are a number of vegans who can be very judgmental in what other people eat and can be incredibly sanctimonious about their personal eating habits. I think those loudmouths are actually not the majority of vegans, but they have been influential in making the public dislike vegans and plant-based diets. Personally I don’t really care what other folks eat, but I love being asked questions about my diet, the choices I’ve made and the reasons for my choices. Over the last 2 years I began incorporating a weekly serving of wild caught salmon or sardines to help guard against getting pernicious anemia which runs in my family. I’d say my diet is 98% plant based and I will never eat eggs or dairy foods for the rest of my life, but I’d never push my choices on anyone.