I have a few friends that are vegan but aside from the main principles of not eating animal products, I don't know much about it! What can you tell me?
It is both the practice off abstaining from animal products as well as an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animal.s
Interesting! Do you know when the term vegan was first used?
I'm not sure. I do know that strict vegetarians, or dietary vegans refrain from consuming not only meat but eggs and dairy products as well.
I'm vegetarian myself, but would have a difficult time cutting out dairy. Do vegans have any problems getting dietary protein in their diet?
Not really as there is protein in alternatives. Also, well planned vegan diets can actually reduce the risk of some types of chronic disease
Fascinating - what chronic diseases can it help to reduce?
Heart disease specifically but others as well!
That's great to hear, heart disease is a huge killer in society now
, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Harvard Medical School, and the British Dietetic Association. The German Society for Nutrition does not recommend vegan diets for children or adolescents, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In preliminary clinical research, vegan diets lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and ischemic heart disease. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and phytochemicals; and lower in dietary energy, saturated fat, cholesterol
Veganism
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan. Distinctions may be made between several categories of veganism. "Dietary vegans" (also known as strict vegetarians) refrain from consuming animal products, not only meat but also eggs, dairy products and other animal-derived substances. The term "ethical vegan" is often applied to those who