“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 3: Health and Wellness
Story 02: The Advantage of a Vegan Lifestyle
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Abstain
- Chronic diseases
- Saturated and trans fats
- Carbon footprint
- Inhumane treatment
- Plant-based
- Essential nutrients
- Weight management
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Adequate nutrient intake
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Going vegan means abstaining from consuming meat, fish, and poultry, as well as any food products that come from animals, such as milk, cheese, and eggs. Many people choose to adopt a vegan lifestyle for various reasons, such as environmental concerns, ethical considerations, or health benefits.
One significant benefit of being vegan is that it promotes a healthier lifestyle. Vegans tend to have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. This is because a plant-based diet is rich in essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. By eliminating animal products, vegans reduce their intake of harmful saturated and trans fats, which can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
Moreover, a vegan diet can also help with weight management. Plant-based foods are generally lower in calories and fat than animal products, making it easier for vegans to maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, the high fiber content of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help increase feelings of fullness and reduce the likelihood of overeating.
Another advantage of being vegan is the positive impact it has on the environment. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. By choosing a plant-based diet, vegans help reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
In addition to the physical and environmental benefits, being vegan also aligns with many people’s ethical beliefs. Many people choose to go vegan because they do not support the inhumane treatment of animals in the meat and dairy industries. By choosing to live a vegan lifestyle, individuals can reduce the demand for animal products and help promote more ethical and humane treatment of animals.
In conclusion, a vegan lifestyle can offer numerous benefits, including improved health, weight management, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations. While it may require more effort and planning to ensure adequate nutrient intake, many people find the benefits of going vegan to be worth the effort.
Comprehension Questions:
- What does a vegan lifestyle entail?
- How does a vegan diet promote better health?
- Why is a vegan diet helpful for weight management?
- What is the positive impact of being vegan on the environment?
- What are some ethical reasons that people choose to go vegan?
Conversations Starters:
- In your opinion, what is the most effective way to reduce your carbon footprint through dietary choices?
- Do you think abstaining from animal products is necessary for optimal health, or can a balanced omnivorous diet provide all essential nutrients?
- What steps can individuals take to ensure they are consuming adequate nutrient intake while following a plant-based diet?
- How do you think the inhumane treatment of animals in the food industry affects public health?
- Do you believe saturated and trans fats are the primary contributors to chronic diseases, or are other factors also at play?
- Can weight management be achieved through a plant-based diet alone, or are other lifestyle changes necessary?
- How do greenhouse gas emissions from the food industry contribute to climate change, and what can be done to reduce these emissions?
- Have you tried or considered following a plant-based diet?
- What ethical considerations, if any, do you think should be taken into account when making food choices?
- What are your opinions about plant-based diets and veganism?
