What do vegans eat and what is veganism?

Veganism is the practice of minimizing harm to all animals. This practice requires abstaining from products of animal origin. Items such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, wool, fur, silk, suede and leather are prohibited.

Unlike vegetarianism, veganism is not a diet. Rather, it is a moral philosophy that seeks to minimize all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals.

So a vegan will not just choose plant-based foods. Vegans will also avoid using animal-derived products. Additionally, they may choose not to visit or sponsor venues that use animals for entertainment or where animals are harmed or abused.

Vegans vs. vegetarians

While vegans do not eat or use any form of animal-based products, vegetarians vary in their diets, philosophies and personal choices. Furthermore, while vegans generally choose veganism for philosophical reasons, vegetarians may choose their diets for a variety of reasons. Some, for example, become vegetarians for health or financial reasons.

Some people follow a vegan diet but don't avoid animal products in other parts of their lives. The term "strict vegetarian" is sometimes used in this case, but it is problematic because it implies that someone who eats eggs or dairy is not a vegetarian.

vegan food

Vegan food is food that does not contain anything that comes from an animal. Ideally, vegan food is also sustainably produced with minimal negative impact on the environment. Veganism, however, does not require that food be eaten raw, nor does it prohibit processed food (as long as the processing does not involve the use of animal products).