What is a Vegan Diet? Everything You Need To Know About Veganism

A vegan diet, or veganism, excludes animal products for environmental or ethical reasons. Vegan diets have existed since the medieval period. Early followers of veganism included Indian and Greek philosophers.

Veganism was once a niche diet but has become relatively mainstream in the last decade. Data from the National Nutritional Survey estimates that around 2% of Australians are vegan.

By definition, veganism is defined as a style of life in which individuals avoid all sorts of animal exploitation and suffering as much as possible.

A vegan diet may seem difficult or unduly restrictive at first glancewith a lot of people concerned about finding the right vegan substitute for their favourite food. However science has introduced products such as vegan meat and eggs making the following the concept of veganism is easier than ever in 2022.

More about Veganism

The word "vegan" was invented in 1944 by a small group of vegetarians who split off from the Leicester Vegetarian Society in England to establish the Vegan Society. In addition to not eating meat, they elected not to consume dairy, eggs, or any other animal-derived goods.

Veganism is defined as "a philosophy and way of life that tries to eliminate — as far as is feasible and practical — all kinds of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other reason."

Veganism is not just limited to a vegan diet

These days, people use the term “vegan” to refer to a diet. However, veganism is not just limited to plant-based diets. It is a philosophy that excludes all forms of animal exploitation.

What you can eat on a vegan diet

Fruit and vegetables
Legumes
Nuts and seeds
Breads, rice
Pasta
Vegetable oils

Basically, one can eat anything that is plant-based. Products like vegan meat and vegan eggs also exist on the market these days.

Some common foods that vegans avoid are;

Honey
Mayonaise
Cheese, butter
Milk, ice-cream
Meat, chicken and fish

Health benefits of the vegan diet

A vegan or plant-based diet does not include any animal products, such as meat, dairy, or eggs. A vegan diet, when followed properly, maybe very nutritious, minimises the risk of chronic illnesses, and assists in weight loss. The reason behind this is that vegan food is rich in certain types of nutrients.

Risks associated with the vegan diet

Vegan diets are healthy in most cases. However, one disadvantage of following a vegan diet is a reduction in protein intake. If you follow a vegan diet you should be aware of your health conditions and always follow a diet that fulfills your dietary requirements.

How to go vegan in 2022

If the idea of vegan diet interests you and you are thinking about how to start, then the first thing you do is cut out all poultry, meat, eggs, and animal-based foods. Also, do consult a doctor or your dietitian to help you choose the right food.

If you have chronic cognition or you are pregnant, it is very important to get the right mix of nutrients for your body. Remember that a vegan diet does suit a lot of people, but it may not be for everyone.

Order vegan products from Doorstep Organics and give a quick start to your journey starting today.