#Veganism

A growing number of Thai families are exploring plant-based eating, driven by health, ethics, and environmental concerns. New international research highlights both potential advantages and nutritional risks of vegan diets for children. Careful planning and ongoing monitoring are essential to support healthy growth.

Vegan and plant-based eating is spreading globally, though prevalence varies by country. In Thailand, traditional Je vegetarian practices during the Vegetarian Festival remain culturally important, while lifelong veganism remains uncommon. With rising environmental awareness and health focus, more households are considering plant-based nutrition for both adults and children.

A new wave of scientific studies is challenging long-standing assumptions about veganism in childhood, revealing both its potential benefits and crucial nutritional risks. As more Thai families consider plant-based diets for health, ethical, or environmental reasons, health experts urge informed, careful planning—especially for growing children—based on emerging international research (BBC Future).

The world is seeing a steady rise in plant-based eating. While global data remain limited, veganism is making incremental gains: in the US, about 1% of the population follows a vegan diet, while UK estimates are closer to 3%, or two million people. In Thailand, the tradition of “je” vegetarianism has deep cultural roots, particularly during the annual Vegetarian Festival, although strict lifetime veganism remains rare. However, with growing awareness of environmental and animal welfare concerns, as well as the health impacts of diet, an increasing number of Thai parents are exploring plant-based nutrition for themselves and their children.

New research is reshaping our understanding of mental health across dietary and lifestyle choices. A growing body of evidence suggests that when people tie their sense of self too tightly to a belief or identity—whether veganism, fitness culture, or parenting styles—the risk of anxiety and depression can rise. For Thai readers, this highlights the universal challenge of balancing conviction with adaptability in a fast-changing society.

A widely circulated piece originally explored why some vegans report higher rates of depression and anxiety. While diet is part of the discussion, the article underscores a deeper pattern: identity fusion, a condition where personal identity blends with group ideology, making beliefs feel inseparable from who we are. The idea resonates beyond dietary choices and touches anything people defend with fierce loyalty, such as fitness communities or political viewpoints. In Thailand’s context, where community harmony and social roles remain influential, this pattern offers a lens to understand contemporary stress.

Fresh research is shedding light on the surprising causes behind higher rates of depression among vegans—a phenomenon with ripples beyond just dietary choices, impacting careers, relationships, and the broader landscape of modern identity. While past debates have focused on nutrition and social pressures, new evidence points to deeper psychological roots that are relevant not just to plant-based eaters, but to anyone who closely identifies with rigid belief systems.

The recent discussion, sparked by a widely shared article in VegOut Magazine, captured the attention of global readers—including many who weren’t vegan at all. The piece, authored by a psychological observer based in Singapore, delved into research showing elevated rates of depression and anxiety in vegan populations. What emerged, however, was a hidden pattern that extended well beyond diet: a modern epidemic of “identity fusion,” where personal sense of self merges completely with group ideology, making beliefs feel inseparable from one’s core identity (VegOut Magazine).