1) We don't know everything. Prior to the discovery of B-12 in 1947, humans have been omnivores for as long as history records. This "ancestral diet" involves many different nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But it also involves interactions - or certain essential pairings for optimal absorption. While our top scientists understand many of these things, I'm also convinced they don't know everything.
2) "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1). I prefer a tolerant and understanding mindset when approaching a historically omnivore species (humans). I feel that constant anger is detrimental to one's health. Some vegans can be downright cruel to those who exit the lifestyle. We must understand that dogs, cats, fish, whales, dolphins, birds, humans and many other species are not historically vegan. However, this is not a justification of cruelty found in factory farms or gluttonous lifestyles.
3) Because of soy, gluten and nut allergies, some people do better on their ancestral diet (which includes animal products). This is where I'd prioritize health over ideology, personally. If someone is truly struggling to be healthy on an entirely vegan diet, I'm OK with them trying out non-vegan options, especially when those options are humanely raised.
Mikhaila Peterson seemed to only improve on a meat based diet. Either I can accept that I don't know everything, or I can judge her. I prefer the first option.
4) While all of the blue zones were mostly plant-based, none of the blue zones were fully vegan. Yes, there are vegans living among the 7th Day Adventists, who did quite well in the Blue Zones studies. But the five blue zones including Ikaria Greece, Okinawa Japan, Nicoya Costa Rica, Sardinia Italy, Loma Linda California, all included a small amount of animal protein. It's easy to forget that veganism wouldn't even be possible without the discovery of B-12, which happened in the 20th century. DHA omega 3 from algae is another example of a modern breakthrough which allows vegans to be healthy.
5) Supplements and planning can be pricey, ineffective and exhausting. Yes, I know that B12 is technically the only supplement vegans need for survival. However: zinc, Omega 3 DHA, Vitamin D, Many of the B vitamins, selenium, iodine, choline, iron, protein and many others are often limited on a vegan diet. Maintaining these supplements is an essential part of most vegan diets.
Much of the world doesn't have access to these supplements. I lived overseas for about 4.5 years (in China) and witnessed true poverty. Many people there work for about a dollar an hour.
It would be absurd to ask someone in this income bracket to purchase a $30 algae supplement for their DHA omega 3's or a $60 container of pea protein. Also, trusting the quality of these supplements is a huge problem in China and other countries.
6) Even vegan restaurants kill rats and mice, and it's probably a "necessary evil." Be honest, do you really want rat droppings on your black bean burger? Landlords generally take care of rodent issues for their tenants, including vegan restaurants. Sure, there's always the remote possibility that the rodents are caught and brought to another place. Is this likely, especially in a city setting? Absolutely not. Landlords are generally too busy to be driving rats and mice around. And dropping these rodents off in a forest is generally a death sentence anyways, according to PETA (Link).
It's also noteworthy that mice and rats will generally do anything possible to return to their homes and families (aka our favorite vegan restaurants or even our bedrooms), even from miles away.
7) Nobody is 100% vegan. Yes, vegans generally do a far better job at protecting animals than those eating factory-farmed meat. Vegans also generally use less land, since much of the grains grown in the world end up feeding animals for meat.
However, even vegan farms require deforesting, which destroys animal homes and habitats. Simply mowing the lawn kills rodents and insects. Rodents and other animals are killed during combine harvesting. Farms often require pesticides and insecticides that kill bees and other insects. Roadkill is possible for anyone who owns cars.
8) Some prominent vegans (including "Vegan Gains") call for "culling" or killing predatory animals. This is absolutely absurd in my mind, as it would involve killing most species of fish and birds, who often eat smaller fish. insects or even smaller rodents. The only time I'd be in favor of killing an animal is to use it as food, when other better foods aren't available.
9) I do believe in promoting my own species over other species. While fish often eat smaller fish, they will almost never eat their own species (Link). This "speciesism" is true throughout the animal kingdom. If I had to choose between the life of a human or an animal, I would protect a human. Some vegans make no such distinction.
10) Factory farming and gluttony are huge problems. I'm actually in agreement with most vegan ideals and principles. I'm also 100% against the evils of factory farming. Currently, I eat a plant-based diet. That being said, I personally put health and science before any sort of ideology, rather than vice versa.
11) Eating a big fish saves many small fish. Most fish are omnivores, and hunt insects or even other small fish. So for those who eat big fish, they are effectively saving the lives of many smaller fish.
12) "I like whales." The simple statement, "I like whales" is extremely anti vegan. Why? Because whales eat roughly 5,500 pounds of fish PER DAY (2,500 kg) (Link)! These lovable creatures are killing machines, and yet I don't judge them for it. Their natural diet is fish. They are entitled to eat their natural diet, as are humans.
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