Vegans differ from vegetarians. What do vegetarians and vegans eat?

Recently, world trends have shifted towards a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. People thought about the ecology of the world in which we live, the purity of the products we eat, the relationship of man with the environment as a whole. On this wave, there were two such currents, such as vegetarianism and veganism. More and more people are choosing a similar lifestyle. What is it - a tribute to fashion, a life-long diet or a conscious position?

Vegetarians and vegans. Who are they?

According to the mistaken opinion of most people, it's just people who have ruled out meat and animal products from their diet. Actually this is not true. Vegans differ from vegetarians mainly in their principled position. For example, vegans do not recognize any exploitation of animals in general, and vegetarians oppose the killing of animals for the sake of human benefit. This is reflected not only in nutrition.

Vegan will never go to the circus, zoo, will not wear woolen clothes, ride horses on the racetrack, since this is nothing more than the exploitation of animals for the sake of human entertainment. Vegetarians are calm about such moments. But here's a fur coat or boots from the skin in their wardrobes, you will not find, like other household items, for which they had to kill animals. However, vegans in this with them are in solidarity.

Food

Now let's talk about nutrition. The main difference between vegans and vegetarians is that the first do not eat any food of animal origin. That is, they do not eat meat, seafood and fish. So what do vegetarians eat? The list of products: milk, eggs, dairy products and honey, that is, the food for which animals were not killed.

There are those who only eat eggs or milk from animal food. They are called, respectively, ovo-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians.

What was the first?

In fact, initially there was only vegetarianism. The first representatives were very strict towards themselves and their menu, which did not include any animal products at all. But this did not suit everyone. After all, not everyone can live without eating animal protein. For example, if you are engaged in heavy physical work or professional sports, then without protein, which is contained in meat, milk, eggs, you will be hard to maintain yourself in tone. Such limitations can affect both well-being and physical fitness. There are still small children, infants, who need a varied calorie diet. If a mother, a convinced vegan, can not breast-feed a child for some reason, how to be with the baby's nutrition, etc.? In America there was even a trial. Parents-vegans were charged with manslaughter. They fed the child only with soy milk and apple juice, as a result of which the baby died from exhaustion.

Therefore, since the basis for vegetarianism is the prohibition on killing animals, only meat, poultry, fish, seafood are excluded from the menu. That is what they killed for. Milk and dairy products, cheeses, eggs, honey are allowed. Dissenting vegetarians separated and became known as vegans. They do not recognize anything of animal origin, no matter whether they are food or household items. Therefore, the difference between vegans and vegetarians is not so great. But still it is.

Eating Vegan

Consider how vegans feed. The menu for each day is not so monotonous, as it might seem at first glance. First, do not confuse veganism and raw diet.

Yes, the basis of the vegan ration is vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and roots, but of them there are a lot of delicious dishes. Various soups, salads, casseroles and even pastries are present in the vegan diet. Simply animal protein is replaced with beans, soya, nuts, and fat is used only in the preparation of dishes. It is possible to cook, for example, a bean paste, which is not inferior to a similar dish of meat in taste. There are many delicious cereals - chickpeas, kinoa, 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 with the goal of increasing profits and expanding the assortment constantly conduct research on what they eat vegans. The list of foodstuffs that replace vegan and vegetarians with their analogues of animal origin is regularly replenished.

A real find was soy protein. It produces a mass of food and semi-finished products. There is soy meat, milk and even cheese - tofu. Favorite vegan dish is hummus - chickpeas 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? The most scandalous, probably, is Pamela Anderson, who starred in a social advertising video and called for stopping eating meat and dairy products. Also for the society PETA ("people for ethical treatment of animals") starred Batman, Alicia Silverstone. And, in order to create an excitement, the girl starred absolutely naked! In the ranks of the vegans are 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 its brand, it produces clothes made from natural fabrics, but never uses materials of animal origin. Many famous people choose this brand, calling such a trend in the fashion of "ethical clothing".

As you can see, the difference between vegans and vegetarians is, first of all, in the most vital position, and not in the food system. And if earlier the former were considered hermits, fanatics, now the movement is very popular and even fashionable. World Vegan Day is celebrated on November 1 since 1994. And the flow itself appeared in 1944. Vegetarianism is celebrated a month earlier - on October 1.

Tips for those who decided to change something in life

The main thing that should be remembered for everyone who decided to radically change their lives and, according to their views, the food system - you can not dramatically change your diet. Meat, fish and other vegan banned products must be taken out of the menu gradually, replacing them with equivalent vegetable analogues. It is necessary to monitor the balance of proteins and fats, daily calorie content of food should not be sharply reduced.

Before moving to a new food system, perform a complete body cleansing. Take a course of strengthening immunity with vitamins. To become a vegan, you need to be prepared for this both morally and physically. Therefore, visit the doctor and find out if you have any contraindications to such a lifestyle.