People choose to become a vegan for a variety of reasons. For most, they see it as a lifestyle that promotes a healthier, more ethical way of living. Vegans and vegetarians are often confused. The difference between the two is that vegans do not consume or use any animal products or by-products. Unlike their vegetarian cousins, they do not eat eggs, honey, or dairy products. Nor will they wear leather, fir, silk or wool. They will not use cosmetics or soaps that include animal products in the ingredients or have been tested on animals in any way.
Vegans see themselves as promoting a more caring, compassionate, and humane world. While most will admit they are not perfect, they feel they are doing what they can to ease suffering and strife to the inhabitants of the animal kingdom.
Although many people see veganism as a radical secular movement, members of the Jain sect of Hinduism have followed much stricter forms of the diet for thousands of years. Jain monks, adhere to a much stricter diet where they eat only fruits and beans, believing this avoids the indirect killing of plants. It is not unheard of for Jain devotees to starve themselves to death in order to harm no living plant or animal.
Mahatma Gandhi taught the concept of Ahimsa, a Sanskrit word central to the Jain sect, meaning loosely 'non-killing and non-harming'. He too, followed a strict vegan diet.
Neither the American nor the British Vegan Society recognize those who turn to the vegan diet solely for matters of health as being true vegans. The two societies prefer to call these practitioners dietary vegans or total vegetarians. To these two societies, being a vegan is a lifestyle philosophy, and those who practice the diet only are not following the concepts important to the cause.
Variety is key to a healthy vegan diet. Since no meat, dairy or other animal products are eaten, protein and other necessary nutrients must be received from other sources. Soy products, nuts, legumes and whole grains fill many of these requirements being high in protein. Other sources of vitamins and minerals come from dark leafy greens, pastas, fruits and other vegetables.
Tofu and tempeh are mainstays of the vegan diet, replacing the 'meat' of the meal. The dangers of the vegan diet are minimal if meals are planned to include all the food groups. The biggest risk is not obtaining enough B-12 and both Vegan Societies recommend an approved B-12 supplement in the diet.
Vegans have a much harder time eating out than their vegetarian counterparts. For a vegan, not knowing how the food was prepared and what exactly is in it can make choosing items on a menu a difficult task.
Family members and friends, who do not share the vegan philosophy, see no reason to try to accommodate the dietary requirements and many times will try to undermine the diet. This leaves many vegans feeling left out and receiving little or no support from those around them.
Vegans tend not be as affected by many dietary problems as their meat eating counterparts. They generally do not suffer from obesity related illnesses, heart problems, diabetes or strokes as compared to those who eat more protein heavy and fatty foods from animal sources.
It is estimated that approximately four percent of the United States population is vegetarian. Of that four percent, only five percent of vegetarians consider themselves vegans.
