Types of Veganism: The Four Main Motivations for Going Vegan

Going vegan is a significant decision to avoid using or consuming animal products. There are different types of veganism, and lots of reasons to make this life transition. Some of the more common reasons include ethics and health.

Veganism also focuses on protecting the environment and animals. For example, as a vegan, you refrain from wearing clothing, fashion accessories or using any item made of animal products. It requires proper research, planning, and care to understand the types of veganism and your motivation behind going vegan.

According to statistics by VeganBits, the number of vegan US citizens rose by 5.5% from 2016-2020. That’s about 22,920,000 Americans. Around 14% of the entire world is vegan or vegetarian. With so many people, obviously not everyone has the same reasons for going vegan. Of the most common reasons, there are four main different types of vegans.

Ethical Veganism

An ethical vegan pursues a compassionate and caring lifestyle that contributes to stopping animal exploitation of any kind. That’s why ethical vegans will avoid consuming any animal-based ingredients, cosmetic and fashion products, or even visiting zoos or aquariums. They believe that animals have the right to enjoy the freedom and not confinement for the benefit of man.

It is not uncommon to see vegan protests at dairy markets and meat processing facilities. They have a different viewpoint from meat enthusiasts, because they think that as humans, we are empathetic and sentient beings. Therefore, we don’t possess the power to disrupt or take away animal life, whether for food or raw materials.

Health Vegans

Among the common types of veganism, health vegans also account for a significant proportion. Besides ethical motives, health-centric veganism is the second biggest reason why many people consider switching to a vegan lifestyle. Online articles, podcasts, and TV documentaries have helped educate the masses about the health and nutrition benefits of going vegan.

Health vegans are in the quest for a healthy body without engaging in activities that harm the animals and the environment. Therefore, they opt to adhere to a plant-based diet instead of eating animal protein and processed foods.

Many people worry about going vegan because they might miss out on critical nutrients such as Vitamin B12, zinc and calcium, which most people obtain from meats, fish, and poultry. The upside to going vegan is that there are many natural, organic, plant-based foods rich in the same nutrients. Legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts are good examples. They are also excellent sources of getting protein as a vegan.

Still, there are plenty of opportunities to be an unhealthy vegan, considering the many vegan junk foods available. Being a health-conscious vegan means eating organic foods that have been grown in the ground and prepared using techniques that preserve as many nutrients as possible. Therefore, it would help to avoid processed foods as well.

Environmentally-focused Vegans

The differentiating factor between environmentally-centric vegans and other types of veganism is that eco-friendly vegans change their lifestyles as a means of protecting the environment. They do so to end meat and dairy processing industries that have had a considerable impact on the environment.

Many processing facilities have been constructed in areas where natural vegetation grew, and have led to loss of habitat. Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter, but the livestock industry has led to the deforestation of the Amazon forest.

Additionally, the trucks and rigs used to transport the meat emit high levels of greenhouse gases that negatively impact the natural ecosystem. More than half of plastic materials in the ocean come from fishing nets, and the meat industry uses significantly more fresh water than growing plant-based food.

Religious Veganism

Apart from the types of veganism mentioned above, religious vegans choose to eat vegan foods based on their spiritual beliefs strictly. For example, Jainism, an Indian religion, forbids its followers from eating animal meat because the religion abhors all violent activities of any nature, including cruelty against animals.

While Buddhism doesn’t entirely forbid the consumption of animal protein, some Buddhist schools emphasize eating healthy vegan foods and forbid the monks from consuming any animal-based food item.

Other religions uphold veganism as well. Vegan members of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have found passages within their religious texts that support veganism and cruelty-free lives. Because most religions promote peace and kindness, their values tend to fit a vegan lifestyle quite well.

Veganism opens up a world full of opportunities. It requires a deep understanding of your motive behind going vegan. That will help you develop a positive attitude toward the new lifestyle you’ve acquired. With time, you’ll find yourself appreciating a healthy vegan diet and that you’re part of something bigger.

What’s your “why” for going vegan? Let me know in the comments!