http://www.care2.com/greenliving/whats-a-vegan-diet.html
What’s a Vegan Diet?
When I was 13, I decided to give up poultry and red meat. Although I knew it was because I’d just as soon take a bite out of my own arm, my mom (in a chidingly loving way) claimed it was because I was lazy and didn’t like to chew. (Explain salt water taffy and caramels then, ha, I protested!) Everyone called me a vegetarian, but that confused me because I still ate fish and eggs–and those weren’t vegetables. Vegan, vegetarian, lacto-ovo, raw foodist, fruitarian–what’s it all mean? Is a vegetarian a vegan? Is a vegan a vegetarian?
I decided to get to the meat of the matter with the granddaddy of vegetarian groups, The Vegetarian Society, a British organization founded in 1847 to advance the vegetarian movement. According to the society’s definition, a vegetarian is someone “living on a diet of grains, pulses (for non-British readers, that would be legumes–not heart rates), nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with or without the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, or slaughter by-products.”
Within the broader category there are a number of sub-classifications.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: Eats both dairy products and eggs. This is the most common type of vegetarian diet.
Lacto-vegetarian: Eats dairy products but not eggs.
Raw Foodist: Eats 75 percent of their food not heated above 116F degrees. Often vegan, but not always.
Fruitarian: Eats only raw fruit, including raw nuts and seeds.
Vegan. Does not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other animal product.
So in a nutshell, a vegetarian diet excludes flesh, but includes other animal products: A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products. And I have to say that I have met very few vegans who stop with what they put in their mouths. Most people who adhere to a vegan diet are committed to a vegan lifestyle. This means they do not use anything made with animal products: Down, silk, honey, wool, leather, fur, as well as any products tested on animals.
One of the first arguments against a vegan diet is one of nutrition–many people assume the body can only get enough protein, calcium and other minerals through the consumption of animal products. But with a little consideration and a bit of knowledge, nutritional needs can be met without eating meat. Protein requirements can be met with nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, cereals, and soy products. Leafy greens, nuts and seeds, dried fruits and bread provide high amounts of calcium. Iron can be found in leafy greens, wholemeal bread, molasses, dried fruits (especially apricots and figs), lentils and legumes.
People gravitate to veganism for various reasons; but its popularity stems from three main reasons–number one being love and respect for animals. Animals raised on factory farms endure horrific living conditions, and most vegans believe that even animals raised with “free-range” and “organic” classifications still suffer. Another reason that people follow a vegan diet has to do with environmental concerns. Take this fact, for example: The world’s cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people–more than the entire human population on Earth. If we stop feeding all our land’s output to farmed animals, there will be more food for humans to eat. Lastly, some people become vegan for health reasons.
For all of these reasons, veganism is a strong movement and continues to increase in popularity. With increased awareness about the environment and animal welfare, it looks like it is a movement poised for continued growth. If you are interested in reading more about transitioning to a vegan diet, visit Vegan Action or Go Veg.
Interested in some of Care2’s most popular vegan recipes? Try:
A Vegan Burger to Love
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
10 Favorite Vegan Recipes
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110 comments
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I was kind of falling apart, so I decided last October to try the vegan diet for one month. At the end of the month, I was feeling so much better that I am now on month four. I was doing it for health reasons. Now every time a family member sees me, they tell me how much better I am looking. The more I read up on it, the more I see benefits outside of myself. This is a lifestyle change that I feel good about, and I am going to stick with it.
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I love vegan food!
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THE IDEAL WAY OF LIFE. HEALTHY, NO WEIGHT PROBLEMS, LOW CHOLESTEROL, TONS OF ENERGY, PRESERVING THE PLANET AND BEING CRUELTY FREE.
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I'm a vegetarian and am about to switch to vegan. My only problem is I usually don't know what to cook, so in order to prepare myself... I've picked something I know I don't know how to cook at least once a day to start the brain-storming!
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I agree with the lifestyle statement! I have been vegan for almost two years, and my beliefs, priorities, health, ect. have all changed for the better! My only issue is eating out, or at other's homes who don't understand what "vegan", let alone "vegetarian" truely means. But, by always packing a few things in my bag, just in case, I'm good :)
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Nice Vegan Diet Shared by you. All the reasons defined by you fro Vegan diet are really interesting. I liked it.
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I am not a vegetarian, but I wouldn't use anything tested on animals- willing to eat them is bad enough, but willing to participate in the torture of an animal for beauty is obscene, in my book. If the companies would just use natural products, all that testing wouldn't be necessary!
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I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for almost 25 years and more recently am moving towards almost no dairy or egg. The difference is noticeable as far as having more energy. I have never been concerned about not "getting enough" protein, calcium, and iron. That's never been an issue as it's not very hard to get these things from a vegetarian diet.
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Very Informative - Thank You! :)
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