Vegans are individuals who follow a lifestyle and dietary choice that excludes the consumption and use of animal products. This includes refraining from consuming meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs, and honey. Additionally, vegans avoid using any products that involve animal exploitation, such as leather, fur, wool, and silk.
The vegan ideology is rooted in ethical, environmental, and health concerns. Ethically, vegans advocate for animal rights and believe that animals should not be exploited or harmed for human consumption or other purposes. Environmentally, they argue that animal agriculture is unsustainable and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. From a health perspective, many vegans argue that plant-based diets can provide all the necessary nutrients for good health while reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Vegans follow a diverse range of diets that consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. To meet their nutritional needs, they often are mindful of consuming sufficient protein, vitamins (such as B12), minerals (such as iron and calcium), and essential fatty acids. They may also supplement their diet with fortified foods, supplements, or alternatives made from plant-based sources, which have seen significant growth in recent years.
Overall, vegans are committed to leading a lifestyle that aligns with their beliefs and aims to minimize their impact on animals and the environment, while promoting their own well-being through a plant-based diet.
