Veganism; Food and Thought

 

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.