In recent years, being vegan no longer simply means following a feeding. It has become something deeper: a cultural, environmental, and, for many, even ethical choice.
Food is never neutral. Every time we decide what to put on the plate, we are telling something about ourselves: values, habits, worldview. And today, more than ever, this choice has a concrete impact on our planet.
Are we really what we eat?
The idea that “we are what we eat” is not just philosophy. It has scientific, social and cultural bases. According to the World Health Organization, the consumption of processed meat has been classified as carcinogenic, while red meat is considered likely to be carcinogenic.
At the same time, meat consumption has increased dramatically in recent decades, especially in Western countries. This means a simple thing: we don’t eat like this out of necessity, but out of habit. Choosing a vegan diet and its benefits is not just a restriction, but an act of awareness towards one’s health.
The real impact of meat on the environment
Here the discussion becomes even more concrete. If we analyze the environmental impact of meat, the data are unequivocal:
- Soil:
about 59% of agricultural land is used to feed farm animals.
- Efficiency:
It takes up to 26 vegetable calories to produce a single calorie of meat.
The current food system is a major contributor to the climate crisis. And this opens up an inevitable question: can we really continue like this?
Because it's not easy to change (and that's okay)
Let’s be clear: going vegan is not easy. Food is tradition, culture, memory and pleasure. Changing your diet means questioning all of this.
There is also a specific psychological mechanism, called Carnism: a belief system that leads us to consider it “normal” to eat some animals and not others. As sociologist Melanie Joy explains well, it’s not inconsistency: it’s cultural conditioning. Understanding this is the first step in opening up to new plant-based alternatives to meat.
An individual choice that becomes collective
Even if it seems like a personal decision, nutrition has global effects. Think of countries like Bangladesh: among the most exposed to climate change, but with one of the lowest ecological footprints.
This reminds us of an uncomfortable truth: the heaviest consequences of the Western way of life often fall on those who have contributed least to the problem.
Change starts with small gestures (not perfection)
You don’t have to be perfect. We need to get started. Reducing the consumption of animal products is one of the most effective actions we can do in everyday life. Even small changes have a huge impact on environmental sustainability.
Taste is not sacrificed (and here we come in)
Today the excuse of “taste” no longer holds up. With the Animal Fat Free line, Biobontà has developed organic vegan sauces designed to offer a full and satisfying taste without animal fats.
It’s about choosing better, bringing the excellence of vegan products to the table in Italy.
Vegans is not just diet: it's a direction
Being vegan today is a direction towards more sustainable eating and greater awareness.
Not everyone will take the same path, but every choice matters. And often, it all starts with something simple: what we put on the plate.
