Instigator / Pro

TheDisguisedAtheist

1500

rating

debates

75.0%

won

Topic

#6443

Veganism is Not Perfect

Status

Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics

Winner

After not so many votes...

It's a tie!

Tags

veganism

vegan

trending

Parameters

Publication date: 08.19.2025 10:56AM
Last updated date: 10.30.2025 01:54PM
Type: Standard
Number of rounds: 3
Time for argument: Three days
Max argument characters: 10,000
Voting period: Two months
Point system: Winner selection
Voting system: Open

Contender / Con

pierree

1515

rating

debates

63.16%

won

Description

No information

Round 1

TheDisguisedAtheist

08.19.2025 12:38PM

Pro

For what the topic is, you deserve the first take.

pierree

08.22.2025 09:12AM

Con

First I wanna thank for the opening of the debate, I'm glad.

So your stance: Veganism is not perfect.

I wanna ask you, what you mean by it is not perfect? From which point of view: ethical, ecological or just simply for taste.

I'm not a vegan, but I'm transitioning to become but I grew in not a very carnivore-eating-friendlt family,even though my father is vegetarian and even if my mom eat, the quantity is almost minimal.

Talking about the ethical question of this stance, I think it should be common sense to avoid eating animal corpses, considering that in a few years, even though it is deeply dystopian, we could be perfectly in their place. Just this, I think every animal species should be treated with as much respect as other species.

Let me know what you think about this, I'm honestly very curious to have your opinion on this, in the best sense of the term.

Round 2

TheDisguisedAtheist

08.23.2025 06:32AM

Pro

Veganism is not perfect in Ethical and Medical terms.

Medical

Medically, humans rely heavily on animals for protein(complete protein) and nutrients. Medicines need ingredients from Animals. Wallet, belt, etc. all need Animals.

Ethical

Ethically, Veganism is asserted as completely violence free way of life. Which is not true because when humanity itself is suffering from poverty and malnutrition speaking for animal rights is not the right thing.

There is absolutely no need to adopt a way of living that doesn't go good for humanity. One who says such a thing needs to explain himself.

I gave you one more argument slot than mine, and you completely wasted it by telling you want me to explain myself first??

pierree

08.25.2025 09:48PM

Con

Calm down dude, the higher you shout, the wrong you are.

I gave you one more argument slot than mine, and you completely wasted it by telling you want me to explain myself first??

it's not about "the extra argument slot", is about definitions of what can be considered perfect and what is not.

Medically

There aren't real sources and studies that which define Veganism unhealthy.

Current scientific evidence suggests that a well-planned vegan diet does not pose inherent health risks and can even provide significant benefits. Large cohort studies and meta-analyses show that vegans often have lower body weight, improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and some cancers. While concerns about nutrient deficiencies—particularly vitamin B12, iron, calcium, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids—are valid, these can be effectively addressed through fortified foods and supplementation. The main conclusion from health organizations and researchers is that vegan diets are safe and nutritionally adequate for healthy adults, provided they are balanced and carefully structured.

And guess what?

Several studies indicate that omnivorous diets high in red and processed meat can increase health risks, particularly cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes. For example, large cohort studies such as the EPIC study and the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study consistently link higher meat consumption to greater mortality and morbidity. The carnivore diet, which excludes all plant foods and relies solely on animal products, is even more controversial, as there is little peer-reviewed evidence supporting its long-term safety. Experts warn that such a restrictive diet may elevate saturated fat intake, reduce fiber to zero, and create deficiencies in essential micronutrients and phytonutrients only found in plants, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease, digestive disorders, and overall mortality.

Morally

Which is not true because when humanity itself is suffering from poverty and malnutrition speaking for animal rights is not the right thing.

And with so? Why are you recalling it on poor and starved people? Answer this question.

I won't dig deep on this for now because that recall on poor people. It has crossed the line of human forbearance.

Sources

On vegan diets (benefits and safety):

On potential risks (bone health, deficiencies, specific groups):

On risks of omnivorous / carnivore diets:

https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/93/3/525/4597471 (NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study)
https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l2110 (EPIC study on red and processed meat)
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/38/20/1538/3745109 (meat consumption and cardiovascular disease)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6723551/ (review on carnivore diet and risks)

Round 3

TheDisguisedAtheist

08.28.2025 07:52PM

Pro

Medical

Veganism indeed lacks on the medical front as several studies suggest that vegan diet lacks in complete proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, many macro Nutritions, etc. Studies showing Veganism does not cause any harm are very less in number, often done on small scale and almost everytime Confusing Causation and correlation. On the other Hand Studies have shown how eating meat boosts metabolism, increases life expectancy, provides better life quality, is literally a brain booster. Even vegan people who plan their diet show protein deficiency, almost 70 percent of them. The number is even Higher in women. I don't have the link but you can search ' Protein Deficiency in Vegans by age and sex' it is a study conducted on large scale, showing shortcomings of Veganism.

Morally

Not everyone can afford Almond milk so people have to purchase cow milk. Supplements are expensive. Malnutritioned kids here in India are fed with eggs, the idea of Veganism is not poor friendly.

I was running out of time, so it's basically a hollow argument to avoid forfeit...

pierree

08.31.2025 01:54PM

Con

Although what you medically mention is true in part, there are also studies that provides solution to those lacks.

Veganism indeed lacks on the medical front as several studies suggest that vegan diet lacks in complete proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, many macro Nutritions, etc.

"Incomplete proteins in vegan diet"

While animal products contain all nine essential amino acids, plant-based sources can also provide complete proteins. A variety of plant foods, such as legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds, can be combined to ensure all essential amino acids are consumed. The concept of "protein combining"—eating complementary plant proteins in the same meal—is not necessary; consuming a variety of plant proteins throughout the day suffices.

A study published in ScienceDirect discusses the adequacy of plant-based diets, noting that individuals following such diets can meet their protein needs with proper planning.

The overall macro nutrients

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are primarily found in marine sources. However, vegans can obtain these essential fats through algae-based supplements. Microalgae produce DHA and EPA directly, serving as a sustainable and effective source for those avoiding animal products.

Research indicates that supplementation with algal DHA improves plasma and serum DHA concentrations and omega-3 indices in vegetarian populations.

OFF-TOPIC BUT IT'S NECESSARY

You can introduce the macros you lack via food supplements, which are not cheap in Italy but choosing the right ones can be useful and also can help you spending much less in food!

But okay let's move onto the moral perspective:

Supplements are expensive. Malnutritioned kids here in India are fed with eggs, the idea of Veganism is not poor friendly.

If you didn't mention the poor people, it could've been a much shorter debate.

Poor people are justified for the food choices that they made because they indeed need food which is accessible to their possibilities (their possibilities in capitalism of course, in the 2025 imo is totally nonsense that people are starving due economic situations, but that's another thing).

Said so, poor people are justified for the choices that they made, basic humanity I guess.

Sources

Protein Adequacy in Vegan Diets

Protein Adequacy, Plant Protein Proportion, and Main Plant Protein Sources in Vegan Diets https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316624004504
Protein and Amino Acid Adequacy and Food Consumption by Processing Level in a Vegan Population https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820203

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Vegan Diets

Achieving Optimal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status in the Vegan Population https://nutritioninvestigator.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/41omega3.pdf
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Vegetarian Diets https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2013/199/4/omega-3-polyunsaturated-fatty-acids-and-vegetarian-diets
Omega-3s – Vegan Health https://veganhealth.org/omega-3s-part-2/

pierree

08.23.2025 08:04AM

you got painfully off topic talking about poor people, will explain better when I'll make the argument

pierree

08.19.2025 07:52PM

is it enough also a small argument?