Over the last few years I have noticed a rise in Veganism. It has steadily becoming more and more popular. So naturally that prompted me to ask the question what exactly is Veganism and why are more and more people moving in this direction?
Based on my personal experiences here’s my info about veganism and what vegans eat:
| Topic/Aspect | Information/Details |
|---|---|
| Veganism Defined | Veganism is a lifestyle and dietary choice to avoid all animal products, for reasons that can range from animal rights, health, to environmental concerns. |
| What I Don’t Eat | – Meat (beef, chicken, fish, etc.) – Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) – Eggs – Honey – Any products derived from animals. |
| What I Do Eat | – Fruits & vegetables – Grains (rice, quinoa, oats) – Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas) – Nuts & seeds – Plant-based alternatives like tofu, tempeh, and seitan. |
| Favorite Substitutes | – Almond or soy milk instead of cow’s milk – Vegan cheese or nutritional yeast – Flaxseed or chia seeds as an egg replacement in recipes. |
| Nutritional Concerns | – B12: I take supplements or eat fortified foods. – Iron: I get it from lentils, chickpeas, and spinach. – Omega-3: From flaxseed and walnuts. – Protein: Plenty in beans, tofu, and tempeh! |
| Personal Experience | Going vegan has made me more mindful of what I eat. I’ve discovered so many tasty dishes, and my energy levels feel more consistent. |
| Eating Out | Many restaurants now offer vegan options. I often check menus ahead of time or opt for ethnic cuisines which naturally have vegan dishes. |
| Environmental Impact | Adopting a vegan lifestyle reduces my carbon footprint. It’s a decision I made for both my health and the planet. |
| Resources I Recommend | Books: “How Not to Die” & “Eating Animals” Apps: “HappyCow” for dining out Websites: Vegan Society for more insights. |
What is Veganism?
There are many article on the internet that basally all say the same thing that Veganism is currently defined as a way of life that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether from food, clothing or any other purpose.
Vegans do not eat beef, pork, fish, poultry, game, animal seafood, eggs, milk or any other animal products. These are people who choose to avoid animal products for a variety of reasons.
In addition the term “Ethical Veganism” extends to the wearing or use of animal products, and rejects the commodification of animals altogether in addition to food.
Why are people going vegan?
I am sure there are tons of good reasons why but during my research I found there are 3 major reasons that kept popping up over and over again. So I took these to be the main core reasons for going vegan. Here they are with further explanation of why:
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| Vegan – Image courtesy of pexels.com/photo/appetizer-close-up-cucumber-cuisine-406152/ |
- Health reasons – many believe that being on a plant based diet is much more healthier. Plant-based diets, for instance, can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and premature death.In addition, by lowering your intake of animal products studies found this may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease or even dying from cancer or heart disease. And lastly some people are going vegan to loose weight.
- Environmental reasons – as many recent studies has shown the impact of animal agriculture on the environment is huge. It’s a know fact that animal agriculture causes higher greenhouse gas emissions than plant-based emissions.Animal farming can also lead to deforestation when forested areas are burned for cropland or pasture. For example, look at the Amazon rain forest area and the destruction of trees being burned for the purpose of producing cropland or animal agriculture.
- Ethical reasons – did you know that ethical vegans strongly believe that all animals have the right to life and liberty? And, this is something I did not know until recently is that Ethical vegans are also opposed to the psychological and physical stress that animals may suffer as a result of modern farming practices.