By Jordyn Hitzeman

Thanksgiving can be a challenging time for vegans and vegetarians. If you’ve only
recently adopted a plant-based diet, you may be struggling to find a plant-based
alternative to your favorite side or dessert. If you celebrate with people who aren’t
vegan, you might be struggling to fill your plate at a potluck-style feast. If those people
aren’t supportive of your diet, they may even try to guilt or coax you into consuming
animal products.

These challenges might have you second-guessing your commitment to a cruelty-free
lifestyle. I certainly did. “How much harm could one bite do? It’s a special occasion,” I
thought to myself as my uncle dangled a piece of turkey in front of me. Feeling like your
diet is preventing you from fully taking part in the spirit of Thanksgiving is an all too
common sentiment shared by vegans and vegetarians across the country.

However, Thanksgiving isn’t about turkey. It’s not about mashed potatoes or pumpkin
pie either (both of which can be made vegan by the way). Thanksgiving is about
gratitude. We express gratitude for our friends and family, gratitude for our health, and
gratitude for the food on the plates in front of us. And, true gratitude does not come at
the expense of the well-being of other living creatures.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 46 million turkeys are eaten every year on Thanksgiving Day. 99.8% of turkeys are raised in abhorrent conditions on factory farms. They never meet their mothers. They are raised in windowless rooms; they are subject to constant stress; and they experience pain, near-starvation, and abysmal air-quality until they are eventually sentenced to death. Every year, more than 46 million turkeys who should be frolicking with flocks and families are killed for the sake of profit and palate. 

Every year, more than 46 million turkeys who should be frolicking with flocks and
families are killed for the sake of profit and palate. The turkey on your plate deserved better.

The turkey on your plate deserved better.

– Jordyn Hitzeman

You can not truly be thankful for the food on your plate if your meal came at the expense
of health, happiness, and life of the animals exploited to help make it. It is not in the
true spirit of any holiday to unnecessarily contribute to the pain and suffering of another
living being.

This Thanksgiving, skip the turkey. Go vegan, and stay vegan.

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Trader Joe’s Vegans-Giving Shopping List

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Cover photo of turkeys by Rafael Rodrigues: https://www.pexels.com/photo/turkeys-in-the-yard-18243057/