What is Veganism? A Beginner’s Guide

Veganism is a lifestyle that is becoming very popular. Currently, so many people, including celebrities, are choosing to live and exercise this lifestyle. But what is veganism exactly?

Here is everything you need to know about veganism.

What Is Veganism?

Veganism is a term that was created in 1944 by Donald Watson, the founder of The Vegan Society. According to this society, veganism is a way of living or lifestyle that protects animals from exploitation for clothing, food, or any other purpose.

It is typically done for the sole purpose of protecting animals. People who practice veganism do not eat animal products: meat, eggs, milk, honey, or poultry.

They do not use any household goods, accessories, or skin products made from animal products. For example, vegans do not wear leather shoes or leather clothes because they get made from animal products.

Typically, veganism is not only about the diet. It is a lifestyle that one chooses to lead because of certain beliefs or values. Followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are some of the groups that believe in protecting animals from any form of cruelty or exploitation.

What Do Vegans Eat?

Worried about being consigned to tofu and veggies alone? Well, there is no need to worry. Vegans have a lot of exciting flavors and foods to choose from. A vegan diet comprises all kinds of vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and fruits.

A vegan diet also includes tomato pizzas, veggie burgers, sandwiches, hummus wraps, smoothies, guacamole, and pasta dishes, among other exciting foods. Being vegan does not mean that you cannot enjoy eating a variety of food. It only means that you have to be creative and open to various food ideas.

Since vegans avoid or exclude meat from their diet, they can replace meat with nuts, seeds, tofu, lentils, and beans. Also, they can swap honey with plant sweeteners such as maple syrup or molasses. This is to ensure they still maintain a balanced diet that has enough proteins needed for their bodies.

Foods Avoided by Vegans

Vegans avoid foods made from animal products. Therefore vegans do not eat foods such as:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Meat such as poultry, beef, and mutton
• Dairy
• Honey
• Mayonnaise
• Shellfish
• Insects
• Butter and Cheese

In addition to the above foods, vegans also avoid ingredients or spices made from animal products. These include whey, casein, pepsin, gelatin, shellac, and albumin.

Why Veganism?

Most people become vegans for various reasons. As much as people choose to eat vegetables and avoid meat for health purposes, it is not all about the diet.

For vegans, it is about being ethical. They believe that all creatures, including animals, have a right to freedom and life. Therefore, they cannot end an animal’s life or cause it suffering for their own wants. They believe that there is always an alternative.

Additionally, many vegans exclude animal products from their lifestyle to protect the environment. For example, most animal products emit lots of greenhouse gas compared to plant-based or vegan options.

Typically, most people become vegans for a combination of the three main reasons: health, environmental, and ethical reasons.

Benefits of Veganism

Being a vegan allows people to live a conscious and ethical life. It ensures that people can exercise their faith and beliefs, even to the extent of what they eat.

One of the most popular benefits of being a vegan is health. According to various researches, vegans have lower chances of getting heart diseases, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Also, they have a lower likelihood of getting cancer and diabetes.

Going vegan can help control weight since most vegan products have less cholesterol than animal products. Being vegan might help in leading a longer life.

Generally, maintaining a nutritious and balanced diet means adding foods rich in antioxidants and fiber. What better way can you keep a healthy diet than to have a vegan diet that incorporates whole grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables?

Want to know more about how to get started with being a vegan? Check out some of our other articles about why you should go vegan and how to get enough protein as a vegan. You can stay up to date on what we post AND get a free vegan pantry guide when you subscribe to our newsletter!

Why are you vegan or thinking about going vegan? What’s something you’d like to know about veganism? Let us know in the comments?