‘Wellness’ is destroying veganism. Here’s why.

In this video, Earthling Ed critiques the rise of extreme wellness trends that contradict vegan principles, focusing on how certain wellness influencers have shifted from plant-based to animal-centric diets, promoting harmful and unscientific practices. He argues that this trend undermines the credibility of veganism and criticizes the superficiality of the wellness industry, emphasizing the impact on animal rights and the science of nutrition.

Key Points

Extreme diets and mislabeling of veganism

Many people who claim to have been vegan often practiced extreme diets such as fruitarianism or raw detox diets, which are not representative of a balanced, healthy vegan lifestyle. These misrepresentations lead to misconceptions about veganism, with some declaring their health was harmed by veganism when it was actually due to unhealthy practices.

Wellness as a contrarian movement

The concept of wellness often revolves around rejecting mainstream health guidelines and institutions, creating a culture that embraces unscientific practices under the guise of individuality and specialness. This quest for uniqueness can lead individuals down harmful paths that contradict genuine well-being.

The wellness to animal abuse pipeline

As some influencers move away from plant-based diets to promote carnivorous practices, there’s a trend of glorifying animal exploitation in wellness narratives. This shift emphasizes harmful eating habits that perpetuate suffering for animals, all while masking it under wellness terminology.

Cognitive dissonance in wellness culture

There exists a significant cognitive dissonance within the wellness community, where individuals simultaneously reject evidence-based practices while endorsing dangerous pseudoscientific claims. This leads to acceptance of harmful dietary practices under the pretense of personal authenticity and wellness.

Influencers and harmful narratives

Social media influencers peddle anecdotal evidence and unscientific claims that can mislead their audiences. The attractiveness of personal stories often overshadows scientific evidence, creating a culture where unsupported health claims gain traction.

Critique of celebrity wellness brands

Brands like Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop promote pseudoscientific products while lacking transparency or evidence for their health claims. This commercialization of health ideas exploits societal anxieties and reinforces problematic eating habits.

Impact on the animal rights movement

The rise of contradictory wellness practices threatens the ethical basis of veganism by promoting the idea that wellness can come from products involving animal suffering. This undermines the animal rights advocacy that many vegans stand for.