Vegans, Beware: When Good Intentions Create Blind Spots

I was vegan for 9 years and ran a vegan spiritual healing centre for 5 of those years. During that time, I met 100s of vegans who were deeply committed to growth, compassion, and living consciously.

But as the years went on, I began to notice patterns—many people were drawn to veganism practices not just for healing and health or animal welfare…but also as a way to find control or certainty in an unpredictable world.

For many, the diet became rigid, even obsessive, as a way to manage deeper emotional wounds or a desire to feel “pure” or “good.” I say this with compassion, because I’ve been there too.

What I eventually came to understand is that real healing , health and animal care doesn’t come from strict rules or perfection—it comes from balance, openness, and learning to be okay with the messiness of life. Being conscious and thinking ethically and not blindly following fads.

Letting go of extremes and reconnecting with joy, play, and presence has brought far more peace than any label or lifestyle ever could.

Some vegans become so deeply committed to their diet and beliefs that they can be blind to any criticism or flaws in the lifestyle.

This rigidity can make it hard for them to see the challenges or downsides, whether it’s nutritional gaps, environmental impacts, or social issues.

When a viewpoint becomes fixed and unquestionable, it limits growth and understanding—something we all need to stay open to if we want to evolve and make truly informed choices.

Veganism began as a powerful act of compassion: a protest against cruelty, a shift toward conscious living, and a step toward a more ethical, sustainable world. And for many, it still is.

But as it’s grown into a mainstream movement, veganism—like any movement—has developed blind spots. It’s been co-opted, commercialized, and in some cases, turned into a rigid belief system that discourages critical thinking and effects our health in worse ways than we could ever imagine.

And that’s where problems begin.

This article isn’t a takedown of vegans. It’s a challenge to look deeper. Because if we really care about health, animals, and the planet, we need to be willing to examine all the impacts of our choices—not just the ones that make us feel good.

The Myth of “Cruelty-Free”

Many people become vegan to reduce harm to animals—and that’s noble. But industrial farming, whether for meat or plants, is inherently violent.

Modern agriculture, especially at scale, kills wildlife—period. Here’s how:

• Habitat destruction to clear land for crops like soy, corn, and almonds displaces and kills countless animals.

• Tillage and harvesting machinery crush burrowing creatures like mice, rabbits, and reptiles.

• Pesticides and herbicides used on non-organic farms kill insects and poison ecosystems.

• Monoculture farming destroys biodiversity—harming birds, bees, butterflies, and everything in between.

  
  

All over the world …it’s been estimated that billions of animals die each year to grow crops, even those destined for vegan consumption. This doesn’t mean meat farming is automatically better—but it does mean we need to question the narrative that veganism is “bloodless.”

Many people choose veganism to avoid harming animals, a choice rooted in compassion.

However, it’s important to understand that modern agriculture—the system producing much of the plant-based food vegans eat—also results in the deaths of billions of animals every year.

While meat eaters typically kill one animal per meal, large-scale crop farming for plant-based diets often leads to the destruction of entire ecosystems, wiping out countless insects, small mammals, birds, and other wildlife.

This means that even though meat consumption involves a direct and visible animal death, vegan diets can indirectly cause far greater harm by disrupting whole ecosystems that support biodiversity.

Recognizing this complexity challenges the idea that any one diet is perfectly “animal-friendly.” For true compassion, vegans and everyone must acknowledge these realities and support sustainable, regenerative farming practices that protect ecosystems and wildlife. It’s about moving beyond simple labels and working toward a food system that honors all forms of life, even the smallest creatures.

If someone says they’re vegan solely because it’s “better for animals,” it’s worth considering that this view can sometimes come from a place of control, misunderstanding, or incomplete information.

The reality is far more complex—modern agriculture linked to vegan diets also causes harm to countless animals and ecosystems.

Recognizing this complexity isn’t about judgment but about encouraging open-mindedness and a deeper understanding of how our food choices impact the planet and its creatures.

If our goal is compassion, we must acknowledge: no modern diet is cruelty-free. Some are just less visible.

The Health Halo: Is Vegan Really Better for You?

Let’s bust another myth: that veganism is the healthiest way to eat.

There are many vibrant, healthy vegans. But the idea that cutting out all animal products is automatically better for your body is deeply flawed.

Plant-based diets can lack essential nutrients such as:

• Vitamin B12 (crucial for brain and nerve function)

• Heme iron (more easily absorbed than plant iron)

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for brain health

• Zinc, choline, and vitamin D

• Bioavailable protein—especially for children, the elderly, and athletes

  
  

Yes, you can supplement. Yes, you can eat mindfully. But that takes a lot of careful planning, and even then, some people still don’t thrive.

Many ex-vegans now report burnout, digestive issues, anxiety, depression, or hormonal problems that resolved when they reintroduced animal products. That doesn’t mean everyone has to follow suit—but it shows that veganism is not universally ideal.

The bigger issue? The shame people feel when their bodies don't cooperate with the vegan ideal. Healing should not require you to ignore your body’s signals in favor of a label.

Humans are biologically classified as omnivores, a dietary adaptation shaped over millions of years of evolution. Early hominins, often referred to as “cavemen,” relied on a combination of hunting, scavenging, and gathering plant foods to survive.

Fossil evidence, such as dental morphology and isotopic analysis of ancient bones, shows that our ancestors consumed both animal protein and plant matter.

Our digestive system—including a moderate-length gut and enzymes capable of breaking down both animal fats and plant fibers—reflects this mixed diet. Importantly, the inclusion of nutrient-dense animal foods played a crucial role in human brain development.

Nutrients like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), vitamin B12, and heme iron—primarily found in animal products—have been scientifically linked to brain growth and cognitive function. Studies show that DHA is essential for the development of the cerebral cortex and retina, while vitamin B12 deficiency is known to cause neurological impairments. Isotopic analysis of fossilized human remains also indicates a consistent presence of animal-derived nutrients in early human diets, supporting the evolutionary importance of omnivory.

Needing supplements like B12 and omega-3s proves that a vegan diet isn’t natural. Humans evolved to get these nutrients from animals, so having to replace them shows strict veganism goes against our natural biology.

This evidence underscores that humans thrive on a varied diet incorporating both animal and plant sources, rather than exclusive reliance on one or the other.

While veganism can offer many health and ethical benefits, for some individuals the mental strain of maintaining strict dietary control can become counterproductive.

An overly rigid approach may trigger chronic stress — especially if food choices are tied to guilt, fear, or a constant sense of vigilance. Chronic stress activates the body’s “fight or flight” response, keeping cortisol levels elevated for long periods. Over time, this can disrupt digestion, impair nutrient absorption, weaken the immune system, and increase systemic inflammation.

Persistent inflammation and immune suppression are known risk factors for a range of serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

In this way, it’s not the vegan diet itself, but the psychological burden of obsessive control, that can quietly undermine long-term health.

The Environmental Impact Isn’t So Simple

Veganism is often touted as a way to fight climate change—and in some cases, it is. Avoiding factory-farmed meat does reduce carbon output. But that’s only part of the story.

Let’s zoom out.

• Almond milk production is draining California’s water supply.

• Soy farming—often used for vegan products—is a leading cause of deforestation in the Amazon.

• Avocados and quinoa are flown thousands of miles, with enormous carbon footprints.

• The booming industry of vegan packaged foods—plant-based burgers, fake cheese, protein bars—is heavily processed and resource-intensive.

  
  

Meanwhile, regenerative agriculture—including livestock—can help:

• Rebuild soil and sequester carbon

• Increase biodiversity

• Mimic natural grazing patterns that support ecosystems

Also Shipping vegan products—especially those that are highly processed or imported from distant countries—contributes significantly to pollution through greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from ships that burn heavy fuel oil, one of the dirtiest fossil fuels.

This international shipping accounts for about 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, and transporting foods like avocados, almonds, or quinoa thousands of miles adds to this environmental impact.

Additionally, the processing, refrigeration, and packaging of many vegan products further increase pollution and waste. While plant-based diets generally produce lower emissions than meat-heavy diets at the farm level, the global shipping and handling of some vegan foods can result in surprisingly high pollution, making it important to prioritize local, seasonal, and minimally processed options to reduce this footprint.

When I was running the vegan spiritual healing centre, I took time to really notice the impact of the foods we consumed—not just what was on the plate, but how it arrived there.

Opening our cupboards, I was struck by the sheer amount of packaging surrounding vegan products: plastic tubs, vacuum-sealed bags, multilayered wrappers, and imported items wrapped in non-recyclable materials.

This isn’t just a small-scale problem. Globally, the rise in demand for vegan and plant-based foods has fueled an increase in processed, packaged products shipped across continents, often using plastic and other materials that take hundreds of years to break down.

The carbon footprint from transporting these goods—sometimes thousands of miles—adds up quickly. This packaging waste contributes significantly to pollution, landfill overflow, and microplastic contamination in oceans. It’s a complex challenge because while the intention behind veganism is often to reduce harm, the global reality shows that many vegan products come with hidden environmental costs.

It made me realize that truly sustainable eating requires more than just choosing plant-based—it means considering packaging, local sourcing, and overall impact.

The real question isn’t “plant or animal?”It’s “is this food part of a healthy ecosystem—or a destructive one?”

A blanket vegan approach doesn’t account for that nuance.

When Values Become Dogma

Many people enter veganism with open hearts. But over time, for some, it becomes a rigid identity—a way to feel morally superior, pure, or enlightened. And when that happens, it stops being empowering and becomes a belief system.

Dogma shows up when:

• People refuse to question or revise their choices even when their health is suffering.

• Meat-eaters are automatically shamed or villainized, regardless of how or where they source their food.

• Local, sustainable food systems are dismissed because they include animals.

  
  

In truth, you can be deeply ethical and eat meat.

You can care about the planet and support a local farm that raises animals humanely. You can be spiritual and grounded, wild and wise, omnivore or otherwise.

Ethics are not about a label. They're about connection—to land, to body, to truth.

The Roots of Control — How Trauma Shapes Our Relationship with Food and Lifestyle

Trauma is often hidden beneath the surface of many behaviors we see in ourselves and others. Especially when trauma occurs early in life—through neglect, emotional abuse, or unstable environments—it can leave deep imprints on the brain and nervous system that influence how we interact with the world.

One common, yet overlooked, outcome of trauma is the development of rigid control patterns, often expressed through strict diets or lifestyle choices, such as extreme veganism.

When a person experiences trauma, their brain naturally shifts into survival mode. The constant feeling of danger or unpredictability rewires the brain’s wiring, especially in areas responsible for regulating emotions and assessing threats.

 This heightened state of alert makes it difficult to tolerate uncertainty or emotional discomfort. To manage these overwhelming feelings, many seek control in areas where it feels achievable—like what they eat, how they live, or the moral rules they follow.

Food, in particular, becomes a powerful tool for control. Eating happens daily and offers a way to categorize the world simply: some foods are “safe” and “good,” while others are “bad” or “dangerous.”

 For someone coping with trauma, adopting a strict lifestyle—whether veganism or another rigid system—can create a sense of purity and safety. It becomes less about the food itself and more about controlling an unpredictable inner world.

This behavior also offers identity and stability. Trauma can fragment a person’s sense of self, making identity feel unstable or unsafe.

Committing to a strict lifestyle or belief system becomes a fixed anchor, a way to feel empowered and less vulnerable. However, underneath this armor is often unhealed emotional pain that drives the need for control.

Neurobiology helps explain this further. Trauma impairs the brain’s prefrontal cortex—the part responsible for reasoning and emotional regulation—while overactivating the amygdala, the fear center. This imbalance results in heightened anxiety, black-and-white thinking, and compulsive behaviors. People caught in this cycle find it hard to loosen their grip on control, even when it causes stress or isolation.

Healing from this pattern requires more than just changing behaviors. It involves gently facing and processing trauma, learning to tolerate uncertainty, and reconnecting with the body’s natural wisdom.

True freedom comes not from rigid control, but from cultivating self-compassion, emotional resilience, and flexibility. Only by addressing the roots of trauma can one move beyond survival-driven control to live a more balanced and authentic life.

Why a 100% Vegan World Might Harm the Planet

Veganism is often seen as the most ethical and eco-friendly choice—but what happens to the planet if everyone goes vegan?

One overlooked issue is this: we need animal manure to keep soil healthy.

For centuries, manure has been vital in organic farming. It enriches soil, supports microbes, and helps grow nutrient-dense food. Without it, we risk relying more on chemical fertilizers or artificial compost—both of which can damage ecosystems and lack the complexity of natural waste.

A fully vegan world would eliminate one of nature’s most efficient, renewable fertilizers. While cover crops and composting are alternatives, they can’t yet fully replace what well-managed animals offer in regenerative systems.

This isn’t an anti-vegan rant—it’s a call for balance.If we care about the earth, we need farming systems that work with nature, not against it. Sometimes that means keeping animals in the loop—not for profit, but for planetary health.

Let’s move beyond food labels and focus on what truly regenerates the land.

So… What Now? A Better Path Forward

If veganism works for you—amazing.But if you’re feeling exhausted, confused, or boxed in, know this:

You don’t have to cling to a label to be a good person.

Here’s what a truly conscious diet looks like:

• Eating local, seasonal, and whole foods

• Supporting regenerative and ethical farms—plant or animal

• Reducing waste and industrial packaging

• Being in relationship with your food—not just consuming it

• Listening to your body’s real needs, not ideological rules

• Staying humble, curious, and flexible

  
  

This is the future of food—not tribalism, but integrity.

Final Thoughts: Conscious, Not Controlled

Veganism, when practiced with openness and kindness, can be a positive and compassionate lifestyle.

However, when it becomes rigid, controlling, or judgmental, it often reflects a close-minded view that shuts down honest conversation and understanding.

This kind of inflexibility creates division instead of connection, and it misses the reality that life—and healing—is rarely black and white.

Being stuck in strict rules or moral superiority doesn’t make anyone right; it just limits growth and empathy. True wisdom comes from embracing complexity, staying curious, and respecting different paths. If veganism is to be a force for good, it must open its doors wider—not build walls of control and judgment.

Veganism is often born from love. But it can quietly become another form of control—another way to try to "do it all right." The world doesn’t need more rigid rules.

It needs more connection.

More honesty. More courage to ask deeper questions—about what we eat, where it comes from, who it impacts, and how it makes us feel.

So vegans, beware—not of meat, but of ideological cages. Beware of purity culture in disguise. Beware of movements that discourage critical thinking.

Because in the end, it’s not about plants or meat. It’s about living in harmony with the earth and your own body.

That takes more than a diet. It takes discernment. And that’s something no label can give you.