Food for thought: Our choice of diet is a privilege

Recently, as a vegan, I’ve been considering how my diet is a form of privilege. I have chosen a vegan diet which means that I have access to healthy food from grocery stores and restaurants. This access is a privilege, as it allows me to specifically choose the foods I want to consume.

Privileges can be defined as the special rights or advantage a particular person or group of people hold.

Jessica Greenebaum, a scholar who specializes in the politics of food and a vegan since the late ‘90s, argues that both veganism and the more normalized non-vegan diet exhibit levels of privilege. This is particularly showcased through one’s access to food, whether it is vegan or non-vegan.

Many opt for a diet free of meat, dairy, eggs and all other animals for apolitical reasons, like the inherent health benefits involved. However, in recent years, veganism has become a trendy alternative commonly linked to expensive raw nutrition items from Whole Foods and $12 smoothies from aesthetic juiceries. Essentially, this instagrammable lifestyle has become the “vegan image,” and often it becomes associated with elitist culture.

The problem with this is veganism becomes attached to the idea of an exclusive lifestyle that few can obtain. There are barriers in accessibility to a vegan diet that can’t be ignored.

Vegan blogger Lisa Le, from the Viet Vegan highlights that it is critical to consider that those part of marginalized communities may not have access to grocery stores that provide vegan-friendly products, and while canned beans and rice may be accessible vegan staples, they may not be adequate for meeting people’s nutritional needs.

The vegan philosophy advocates for a compassionate diet that challenges the food industry’s exploitation of animals, humans and the environment. However, a typical criticism of vegans is that they often exhibit a sense of elitism and superiority towards non-vegans.

I think this stems from the conception that vegans feel a sense of high morality because they have chosen a diet free from animal cruelty. A person with privilege may assume this sense of superiority as well.

When considering who has access, the high price range that a vegan diet demands, leads to a very narrow and privileged group of vegans. Representation is also an issue since the most prominent vegan images displayed in the media are often white, fit and able-bodied women.

This image of veganism is problematic and it has since sparked the advocacy for an intersectional and inclusive vegan movement.

Like other social movements, veganism needs to acknowledge the systemic barriers that other communities face that impede them from a vegan lifestyle.

Lisa Le agrees that access is an important factor. “Understanding that sometimes, people are just doing what they can to get through the day, and while yes, they can empathize that animals are suffering, but they are suffering too,”she said.

As a solution to perhaps challenge this vegan image, vegans should be allies to marginalized groups and should actively participate in other movements aside from veganism in order to advocate for social justice within all realms.

The current state of political and social affairs and the marginalization of certain communities, have led to blatant exhibitions of sexism and racism. In order to challenge the current social and political climate, those with privilege must be willing to be allies.

When you think about it, the exploitation of animals is closely interrelated with oppression of women, people of colour and other marginalized people. Exploitation is about exhibiting power over someone, and the ability to then take from them, whether that is a woman, a marginalized person, or an animal.

Therefore, I think the argument that veganism is elitist can be argued from both sides, considering that if one has the access to healthy and organic foods, they may consciously choose to go vegan, vegetarian or not at all.

All individuals should be aware that our access to food and our consumption inevitably reflects the privileges we hold. What matters is our willingness to recognize our privileges and advocate for more inclusive and intersectional social justice movements.

Photo: Sydney Bartos

The views presented in this article do not represent the views of Journalists for Human Rights