Morals and ethics, staying true to one's values, that's worth making sacrifices for. I take it from your comment you don't understand that.
The implication here seems to be that tradition is a valid justification for beliefs and practices, whereas personal ethics are not; and indeed, anyone pursuing the latter is worthy of stereotyping and derision.
To put this thought in other terms: In the context of contemporary culture, wouldn't you call the Buddha a "hipster"?
"Wasting" food when you're trying to send a signal not to produce so much of one type of food is not really waste.
I know I'm assuming, but like many wealthy westerners you probably travel to poorer parts of the world. Believe me, you were consuming animal protein or fat even if you were told otherwise. So what did you accomplish other than to show your elitism?
I don't think veganism is a particularly moral or ethical value. It reminds me of a conversation I was a third-party to where an American kept expressing how happy she was that a South American tribal chief was keeping to their "natural" lifestyle, while the chief kept expressing that they want schools and opportunities for his people. They were talking through each other.
Some paths of Hinduism also hold vegetarianism as an ideal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism_and_religion
PS: World wide there are ~250million to 1 billion vegans depending on definitions. AKA is eating insects ok?
Edit: I'm responding to your recent edit. No, eating insects is not vegan. Why would you think that? Crickets and cockroaches are quite tasty with soy and sesame oil but not vegan.
The subject of the article would save his health and mind if he consumed eggs and milk.
"Dietary vegans (or strict vegetarians) refrain from consuming animal products, not only meat but, in contrast to ovo-lacto vegetarians, also eggs, dairy products and other animal-derived substances. The term ethical vegan is often applied to those who not only follow a vegan diet, but extend the vegan philosophy into other areas of their lives, and oppose the use of animals and animal products for any purpose.[4] Another term used is environmental veganism, which refers to the avoidance of animal products on the premise that the harvesting or industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable.[5]" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism
PS: Also if you actaully read the link: "Jains are either lacto-vegetarians or vegans."