Every year November 1 marks World Vegan Day. By now, most of us are aware of what vegan and veganism are. But do you know there is a wide variety of vegans? Although all vegans try to avoid using any items derived from animals, there are varied types of vegans and vegan diets. It's reasonable to assume that there isn't a universal vegan diet for over a million vegans. People choose to become vegan for a variety of reasons, including those related to health and those pertaining to ethics, value system and so on.
But who exactly are these different vegans? In what ways are they unique? Let's explore!
Eco Vegans
Food that doesn't harm earth, Image source: 123rf.com
Vegans who are also concerned with the planet's ecosystem are another subset of the vegan movement. These people choose veganism to reduce their environmental impact and help the earth. Vegans who care about the environment advocate for a plant-based diet because they feel it helps reduce pollution, deforestation, and greenhouse gases.
Health-conscious Vegans
Health-conscious eating, Image Source: Freepik
The health-conscious vegan community is also sizable. Improved health is the second most common reason people make a lifestyle change. Health vegans comprise the largest subset of vegans, while ethical vegans still outnumber them. The prevalence of bowel cancer and cardiovascular disease has been brought to light, in part, by movies like the Game Changers, which show how eating a diet high in red meat can lead to these diseases.
Medichecks, a medical testing company, conducted a study that found a vegan diet to be associated with a decreased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Results showed that those who had recently switched to a vegan diet had significantly lower blood glucose levels and harmful cholesterol levels than the general population. People with lactose sensitivity may also adopt a vegan diet because of the health benefits. Since they no longer consume any form of dairy, they might as well fully embrace the vegan lifestyle.
Spiritual Vegans
Can also be referred to Religious Vegans eat vegan owing to their beliefs. A glaring example is Jainism's followers, who eat a vegan die. They hate violence and cruelty. It's a key notion that if they don't quit violence, all religious activity is meaningless. Nonviolence is a holy duty. It includes their nutrition; they're vegan. Even many Buddhist schools include religious vegans. Buddhist schools promote a vegetarian diet and restrict monks from eating flesh. Likewise, Many Jewish vegans are concerned about kosher regulations, as shown in If This Is Kosher. Some Christians go vegan or vegetarian for Lent.
Ethical Vegans
Saying no to cruelty to animals, Image Source: offset.com
The term "ethical vegan" refers to people who have adopted a vegan diet and lifestyle out of solid opposition to animal cruelty. Animal welfare is a significant motivation for about one-third of vegans. These vegans don't want their lifestyle to include any form of animal exploitation. Ethical vegans believe there's no difference between a dog, a pig, and fish. All sentient beings wish to live. This tribe finds factory farming harsh and feels the ads showing happy cows in lush green meadows as hogwash. Animals bred for food suffer short, wretched lives, so vegans refrain from all animal products to protect them.
So, which one is your natural calling for veganism?
