We eat
different types of food, we fuss on what is healthy and what is unhealthy
and at the same time explore different varieties of food that can enhance our
health. One more eating practice is veganism or being VEGAN. The term vegan
was coined in 1944 by members of a vegetarian society in London, in their
newsletter devoted to non-dairy vegetarianism. It is a very popular diet
concept among health-conscious people that rejects eating anything which is
even remotely related to animals. That means even food like milk, butter, curd
and honey is a strict no-no. This diet is proving to be extremely beneficial for
people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and that is a very good
reason for Veganism to be known and explored too.
Veganism
Being vegan
is referred to adopting plant-based food and rejecting food that is animal
based. Veganism can be understood as a practice of staying away from the use of
animal products, specifically in diet and the main thought behind is to reject
the commodity status assigned to animals by human beings. Any individual who
follows this kind of diet pattern or thinking is known as a vegan.
The
individuals who staunchly follow a vegan diet are vegetarians and stay away from
meat, eggs, dairy products and any kind of animal-based food.
Types of vegans
People who
follow a vegan lifestyle have their own reasons for becoming vegan, they might
be ethical vegans, environmental vegans, health vegans and religious vegans.
Ethical
Vegans are those who
have chosen a vegan lifestyle as they are against animal cruelty. They don’t do anything related to animal exploitation and cruelty in their life in any way. One-third of vegans are those who have chosen ethical veganism because they believe
animals have a right to live and they believe there is no difference between dog,
pig, cat or goat and all creatures are equal.
Environmental
vegans are those who
want to do their bit for the planet and they believe that by adopting a vegan
diet they are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They do not provide
support to animal agriculture as it is more accountable for emission of greenhouse gases than the world transportation system.
Health
vegans are those who
are well aware of the health implications of animal-based food, as now health is the
biggest driver for people going vegan. A vegan diet reduces the risk of
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that people
following a vegan diet have lower-than-average blood glucose levels and lower
levels of cholesterol. A vegan diet is also good for those who are lactose
intolerant.
Religious
vegans choose a
vegan lifestyle due to their spiritual beliefs. Jainism is an ancient Indian religion,
whose followers follow a strict diet, similar to veganism. Similarly, Buddhists
follow a diet, same as vegans and keep away from animal-origin food.
Vegan diet
If you are
leaning towards veganism or vegan itself, your diet as well as each meal
needs to be properly planned because if your vegan diet pattern goes unplanned,
you can suffer from a serious nutritional deficiency that will negate all the
benefits of veganism and can lead to health disorder like neurological damages.
A vegan diet
is typically high in dietary fibers, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin
E and iron and lower in dietary energy, saturated fats, cholesterol, omega-3
fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium, zinc and vitamin B12. Obviously, you will
require dietary supplements and fortified food along with your vegan diet.
If on
a vegan diet then plant-based food products are acceptable and these should be consumed in
their original form rather than processed, these food products are,
1. All kinds of fruits and vegetables.
2. Legumes such as peas, beans, soy and
lentils.
3. Nuts and seeds
4. Bread rice and pasta
5. Dairy alternatives like soymilk,
coconut milk and almond milk
6. Vegetable oils
7. Soy paneer or tofu
A vegan diet is more like a vegetarian diet but does not include-
1. Dairy products like milk, cheese,
butter, cream, ice cream, curd, mayonnaise and cottage cheese(paneer).
2. Honey, as it is procured from the honey
bee.
3. Eggs and all kinds of meats
Reasons for veganism
Many people
who are vegans thrive on plant-based food and get sufficient nutrition
including carbohydrates, protein and vitamins, but veganism is an ethical
commitment and is based on certain reasons, these are
1. Core reason for veganism is a modification of food consumption habits that cause harm to animals.
2. Veganism wants a world that cares
for animals and reduces the sufferings they face it advocates stopping using
products made of animal skin, hair or flesh.
3. Veganism prescribes plant-based food
that shuns meat, eggs and milk and is good for the heart and overall health.
4. Many vegans don’t wear leather or fur
and are against the use of animals in circuses, testing or research, agriculture
or entertainment.
5. Veganism advocates rights to animals
and legal protection from all forms of cruelty.
6. Besides animals’ veganism also talks
about human suffering as people who work on animal farms or slaughterhouses
are in great danger from viruses and bacteria, illness and injury. People employed
in slaughterhouses or farmhouses work in dangerous conditions, unfair hours
and low-paying jobs.
7. Dairy industry is crueler than the meat industry, female animals are forced to become pregnant year after year to lactate and produce milk that human sells and their calves are forcibly removed from their mothers. While female calves have the same fate as their mother while males are sold for cheap beef. Animals who no
longer produce milk are sent for slaughter.
Eating a
plant-based vegan diet will help you avoid toxins and carcinogens that you get
from animal-based food, help you eliminate bad cholesterol, get healthy hormones
from a plant-based diet and avoid insulin issues, mood swings and cancer growths.
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