If you find yourself thinking what does vegan means, and wondering about the implications for your diet and lifestyle, here’s the best vegan definition.
“Vegan definition : vegans are people who abstain from consuming animal products for health or ethical reasons. “
Veganism means living on plant based products, with exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, animal milk, and all dairy industry product (cheese, butter, yogurt, eggs, honey, etc…), and all other foods of animal origin.
It also excludes the use of animal products such as fur, wool, leather, and silk, items like clothing.
It was the ethical controversies, not the health benefits, that were the main position of the cause at the time.
If everyone would strive to do no harm, surely the world would be a better place, even if we are not always successful.
Want more informations to define vegan, keep reading.
Vegan History:
What is the origin of vegan?
Well, the idea was established in the western world in 1944 by a founder of the British Vegan Society. In the ’60s, the American Vegan Society linked the idea with the Indian philosophy of “ahimsa,” which means “to do no harm.” [1]
Veganism came into being when Watson coined the term. People may or may not have followed the principles of veganism before then, but it is hard to say since before then the term did not exist.
Prior to that time, the term ‘vegetarian’ would have been used to mean someone who ate no meat.
The difference is that vegetarians commonly include animal products in their diet, such as eggs, milk, and cheese.
Vegetarianism is also often taken to include eating chicken, fish, and shellfish.
I have run across this vegan definition, which often seems to arise through a lack of familiarity with the concept of vegetarianism.
Lenten and ritual religious fasts often exclude meat. Due to the lack of a label for veganism in the historical context, and due to the fact that we have to rely on self-reporting for diet claims, it is very hard to say who was or was not vegan.
Claims that any historical figure was vegetarian or vegan should be viewed with skepticism.
They might not have had a clear idea of what was animal, mineral, or vegetable, simply due to the limitations of human understanding at the time.
Another reason to doubt claims of historic vegans is the simple fact of food insecurity.
Famine and hunger often provided ample reason to eat whatever was at hand.
Vegan Diet Definition: Vegan Meaning
What is a vegan diet? What does it means to be vegan?
Vegans give up all animal products such as :
- Meat
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Honey
When you think about it, the list includes only a few items. Ideally, these would not be difficult to avoid.
The real difficulty is that these items are used in many products in modern cooking.
The high fat content of animal products makes them tastier. Our bodies crave higher fat, protecting us when food isn’t available for long periods of time.
However, cheap food is always within reach with the modern availability of grocery stores every few miles.
People are more likely to be overfed than underfed. This is one of the main reasons why plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular.
Even so, there is more than one difference between vegan and vegetarian diets.
Companies selling food products want to maximize their profits, and don’t care much about the health of consumers.
They want to make products that taste good for as cheaply as possible. Even “healthy” products from brand name producers cut costs by adding inferior ingredients, like fillers and artificial flavors.
It is easier to get healthy, quick energy foods at specialty grocery stores from smaller, more trustworthy producers.
Vegans eat food items which can be included by vegan definition such as:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Beans
- Grains
This list of vegan foods encompasses over 75% of the USDA approved food pyramid.
Also, the variety in each of the categories is significantly more than the food that isn’t allowed.
There are hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables, and tens of varieties of beans and grains.
The amount of food that is allowed is many times more than not. With all the variety available, there is no reason to feel deprived.
Vegan Lifestyle Definition:
Someone following the vegan lifestyle purchases products which don’t rely on animals.
The vegan lifestyle is in line with the Indian philosophy “ahimsa,” or non-violence.
Taking the step towards buying all vegan products will have an effect on the following purchasing decisions:
- Shoes
- Belts
- Wallets
- Silk
- Handbags and purses
- Household products
- Makeup and hygeine
- Sugar
- Wine
- Candles
Unfortunately, it is impossible to live a lifestyle that doesn’t rely on animal products to some degree.
The further your research takes you, the more you will appreciate our species’ reliance on animals.
Pet food, plastics, antifreeze, wallpaper, photo film, and even car tires contain some traces of animals.
Many believe the western world has developed past the need to rely on animals.
With modern technology, the resources available can sustain us without relying on animals.
Vegans are the main group of supporters of this idea.
They believe the earth’s resources are wasted by raising animals for consumption, and it would be better for the environment.
Luckily, there are many products available which make a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle possible.
Changing your lifestyle as a vegan can take just as much effort as changing your diet.
To purchase consumer products that fit the vegan definition, like shoes and bags, it is necessary to do research online.
Now you can define vegan, and can see that making the commitment to a cruelty-free diet and lifestyle is honorable.
Not only does your health improve, but you no longer rely on the suffering of other living beings.
Those people who become vegan by diet and lifestyle are truly doing good for the planet and themselves?
Take note of the difference between vegetarian vs vegan ethics.
Those who follow the vegan definition lead by example, and are an inspiration for others.
Veganism encourages alternatives for these and all other materials from animal sources.
Industrial Vegan Definition:
An industrial vegan is a term used to describe someone who follows a vegan diet but is open to consuming animal-derived products that are not produced through industrial farming methods.
This typically means that they avoid consuming products from factory-farmed animals, but may consume products from animals raised using more traditional and ethical methods.
The aim of an industrial vegan is to reduce the negative impacts of industrial agriculture on the environment, animal welfare, and human health.
Ethical Vegan Definition:
Ethical veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle choice that goes beyond a purely dietary veganism.
It is based on the belief that all forms of animal exploitation, including for food, clothing, entertainment, or any other purpose, are morally wrong and should be avoided.
Ethical vegans seek to live a life that minimizes harm to animals in all aspects and strive to create a more just and equitable world for all beings.
This often extends to supporting businesses and products that align with their values, such as those that are cruelty-free and environmentally sustainable.
Environmental Vegetarianism Definition:
Environmental vegetarianism refers to a dietary and lifestyle choice that is based on the idea of reducing harm to the environment through the reduction or elimination of meat consumption.
This approach is motivated by the understanding that animal agriculture has significant environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, land and water use, and pollution.
Proponents of environmental vegetarianism believe that reducing or eliminating meat consumption is a way to reduce these impacts and promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.
This philosophy emphasizes the connection between diet and the environment, and seeks to promote more plant-based diets as a way to reduce the environmental impact of food production.
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