What Is A Vegan Diet?
The people in our modern society are concerned with multiple issues. Health and the environment are two very big ones that are at the forefront. People want to eat well and lessen their environmental impact. Threats of global warming and obesity run are two of the biggest concerns. Some people decide they want to tackle both at the same time. Making the choice to become a vegan is a decision that is made just as much for health reasons as well as environmental and ethical ones.
A Vegan diet is simply food that is prepared within the vegan specifications so that it supports that lifestyle.
So, What Does It Mean To Be Vegan Anyway?
Vegan is a subset of vegetarianism. There are several different types. Some vegetarians still drink milk and/or eat eggs. Not vegans. They are the strictest form and don’t make allowance for ANY animal products in their diet.
It is by far the most challenging form because people take a lot of things for granted. Eggs and milk, for example, are common baking ingredients. So, substitutions need to be made if a vegan is going to be able to eat baked goods.
What Makes Food Vegan Or Not?
In order for food to be strictly vegan, it needs to adhere to certain criteria. It is important to note that there are a lot of hidden ingredients in foods. It is especially important to watch out for these if you are going to strive for a vegan diet.
- Vegans don’t eat animal products or byproducts of animal products.
- They also don’t consume things like milk and eggs.
- True vegans also don’t eat fish.
- Don’t forget that bees are an animal so vegans also can’t eat honey, royal jelly, and bee pollen supplements.
- There are also plenty of hidden ingredients that tend to make their way into food and that you need to look out for including gelatin, lard, and whey.
If you are a new vegan, making all of these changes may seem overwhelming. But, after you’ve been eating and cooking the vegan way you’ll be an old pro.
There’s no doubt that a vegetarian diet, particularly a vegan one, can be great for your health. However, with the popularity of health food stores due to the fact that many are looking to improve their health, it’s easier than ever to enjoy a satisfying vegan diet.
