Recently, global trends have shifted towards a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. People thought about the ecology of the world in which we live, about the purity of the foods we eat, about the relationship of man with the environment as a whole. On this wave, two such trends arose as vegetarianism and veganism. More and more people are choosing a similar lifestyle. What is it - a tribute to fashion, a lifelong diet or a conscious position?
Vegetarians and vegans. Who are they?
According to the mistaken opinion of most people, these are just people who excluded meat and animal products from their diet. Actually this is not true. The difference between vegans and vegetarians is mainly in their fundamental position. For example, vegans do not recognize any exploitation of animals in general, and vegetarians oppose the killing of animals for the benefit of man. This is reflected not only in nutrition.
Vegan will never go to the circus, the zoo, will not wear woolen clothes, ride horses at the hippodrome, as this is nothing more than the exploitation of animals for the sake of human entertainment. Vegetarians are calm about such moments. But here you will not find a fur coat or leather boots in their wardrobes, as well as other household items for which animals had to be killed. However, vegans are in solidarity with them.
Food
Now let's talk about nutrition. The main difference between vegans and vegetarians is that the former do not eat any food of animal origin at all. That is, they do not eat meat, seafood and fish. So what do vegetarians eat? List of products: milk, eggs, dairy products and honey, that is, that food for which animals were not killed.
There are those who consume only eggs or milk from animal foods. They are called respectively - ovo-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians.
What was first?
In fact, initially there was only vegetarianism. The first representatives were very strict on themselves and their menu, which did not include any animal products at all. But this did not suit everyone. After all, not every person can live without using animal protein. For example, if you are engaged in heavy physical labor or professional sports, then without protein, which is found in meat, milk, eggs, it will be difficult for you to maintain your tone. Such restrictions can affect both health and physical fitness. There are still small children, infants who need a varied, high-calorie diet. If a mother, a convinced vegan, cannot breastfeed her baby for some reason, then what about the baby’s nutrition, etc.? There was even a trial in America. Vegan parents have been charged with manslaughter. They fed the child only soy milk and apple juice, as a result of which the infant died from exhaustion.
Therefore, since vegetarianism is based on a ban on killing animals, only meat, poultry, fish, and seafood are excluded from the menu. That is what they killed for. Milk and dairy products, cheeses, eggs, honey are allowed. Disagreeing with this, the vegetarians separated and became known as vegans. They do not recognize anything of animal origin, and it doesn’t matter whether it is products or household items. Therefore, the difference between vegans and vegetarians is not so great. But still it is.
Vegan Nutrition
Consider how vegans eat. The menu for every day is not as monotonous as it might seem at first glance. Firstly, do not confuse veganism and raw food diet.
Yes, the basis of the vegan diet is vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and roots, but from them there are many delicious dishes. Various soups, salads, casseroles and even pastries are present in the vegan diet. It’s just that animal protein is replaced by beans, soy, nuts, and fat is used in cooking only vegetable. It is possible to cook, for example, bean paste, which is not inferior in taste to a similar meat dish. There are many delicious cereals - chickpeas, quinoa, lentils. And ice cream, fruit pie or berry sorbet from the vegan menu will pleasantly surprise you!
Analogues of food of animal origin
In addition, marketers of large food concerns in order to increase profits and expand their assortment are constantly conducting research on what vegans eat. The list of food products that replace vegans and vegetarians with their analogues of animal origin is regularly updated.
The real find was soy protein. It produces a lot of food and convenience foods. There is soy meat, milk, and even tofu cheese. A favorite vegan dish is hummus - chickpea puree, whipped with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika and sesame paste.
Famous vegans
Among celebrities, especially foreign ones, there are also vegans. Who is it? Perhaps the most scandalous is Pamela Anderson, who starred in a social advertising video and called for stopping the consumption of meat and dairy products. Also for the PETA Society (“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”), Batman's star, Alicia Silverstone, was shot. Moreover, to create a stir, the girl starred completely naked! The vegans include Paul McCartney, Clint Eastwood, Brian Adams, Natalie Portman, Leni Kravitz and many other public figures. Designer Stella McCartney even founded the veganfashion movement. On behalf of her brand, she produces clothes from natural fabrics, but never uses materials of animal origin. Many famous people choose this brand, calling this trend in fashion “ethical clothing”.
As you can see, the difference between vegans and vegetarians is primarily in the position of life itself, and not in the nutrition system. And if earlier the former were considered as hermits, fanatics, now the movement is very popular and even fashionable. World Vegan Day has been celebrated on November 1 since 1994. And the current itself appeared in 1944. Vegetarian Day is celebrated a month earlier - October 1.
Advice for those who decide to change something in life
The main thing that is worth remembering to anyone who has decided to radically change their life and, according to their views, the nutrition system, you can not dramatically change your diet. Meat, fish and other vegan-prohibited foods must be removed from the menu gradually, replacing them with equivalent vegetable counterparts. Be sure to monitor the balance of proteins and fats, the daily calorie intake should not be sharply reduced.
Before switching to a new nutrition system, conduct a complete cleansing of the body. Take a course of strengthening immunity with vitamins. To become a vegan, you need to be prepared for this both mentally and physically. Therefore, visit a doctor and find out if you have any contraindications to such a lifestyle.