1. GOING NAKED

Like, really. We’ve never met anyone who saved animals or quit eating meat because they saw a naked lady (or dude)…and lettuce bikinis (or briefs) do not increase lettuce consumption. Trust us… we’ve done the research. Attention grabbing stunts for a cause is great, but this particular tactic (which is also pretty sexist) is way past its prime now. Put some clothes on, puh lease! Try grabbing people’s attention with vegan food porn instead.

2. GORE TACTICS

Yes, videos of gruesome animal cruelty help people learn about what really happens at animal “factories” but also leads them to believe that animal farms where employees are not psychotic animal abusers are somehow what we should aspire for. Aim higher! Animals obviously don’t turn into someone’s dinner without dying unpleasant deaths. Talk about the facts instead and about how amazing animals are.

3. FAT SHAMING

Eating a plant-based diet is undoubtedly better for your health and may result in weight-loss, glowing skin, silky hair, six-pack abs and other superpowers. But let’s not pretend that eating vegan is somehow going to turn the entire human population into skinny supermodels…or that we should all aspire to be skinny supermodels. Body size and compassion have no correlation, people!

4. JUDGING OTHERS

You may be the king or queen of the cruelty-free, animal-loving, vegan kingdom and be the most compassionate person in the world, but let’s not assume that anyone who hasn’t reached your grand heights of animal-free living is somehow not a moral person or is a sadistic murderer. You rarely charm people by rolling your eyes at them or telling them how cruel they are because they decided to eat a turkey sandwich for lunch. Our focus group studies have confirmed this! Be nice.

5. FORGETTING ABOUT THE ANIMALS

Between veg fests, potlucks, celebrity galas, juice fasts and cruelty-free shopping sprees, it’s easy to forget that this is not about us, but actually about the animals who are getting screwed by the minute across the world. Don’t lose sight of whose rights you’re fighting for, y’know?

Oh, and don’t forget. DON’T stop trying to bring about change in the world and learn to have a laugh while you’re doing it!