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What is wrong with an egg? They taste yummy, are an excellent source of protein, and have a variety of cooking methods. Still, vegans refuse to eat eggs. Understanding why vegans have made the decision not to eat eggs can help you better understand the process of vegetarianism.
While doctors and nutritionist advise parents of vegan children to include eggs in their diets, most adults avoid them. There are two reasons why.
- Some vegans believe that eating an egg goes against their belief in eating ethically. Eggs are the precursor to chickens and as such should be treated in an ethical and moral way – this means no eggs.
- Some vegans believe strongly in the health benefits of a completely vegan diet. Adding eggs into the mix will introduce several unhealthy factors into the diet – most notably cholesterol. Not eating eggs helps make sure the vegan gets the maximum health benefits from their diet.
If a vegetarian does opt to include eggs in their diet they are called ova-vegetarians. They do not have an ethical issue with eggs and see them as an excellent source of protein. Children and pregnant women who follow a vegetarian lifestyle should consider including eggs. For those worried about the ethical treatment of animals in relations to food production, free range eggs are an excellent option. They are organic and ethically raised.
To eat eggs or not is a question faced by all who decide to adopt a vegetarian diet. After considering the ethical and nutritional issues, a decision can be more easily made.
