What is Veganism?

So, it seems the number of vegans is growing, there are more vegan options available in stores and restaurants but what exactly is a Vegan?

The Oxford Dictionary defines Vegan as a person who does not eat or use animal products.

(See, I wasn’t lying)

What does that actually mean though? How is it different to Vegetarianism?

Vegetarians don’t eat meat. So they wont eat beef, pork, lamb, chicken etc etc. Some strange reason some of them will eat fish? But I am not quite sure why if I am honest.

Vegans don’t eat meat (or fish) and then further still, they don’t consume milk, eggs, butter, cheese, honey etc. Vegans also don’t believe animals are there for our benefit. They are not commodities to be sold or abused. So this will include refraining from using products with animal products in also. Meaning no leather, no beeswax, no silk, no artificial colourings using bugs or beaver anal glands (im serious).  Vegans will also avoid products testing on animals such as cosmetics etc.

You may think this leaves very few options for vegans and im sure most think that the diet and lifestyle of a vegan consists of lentils and hummus, wearing hemp sacks and dreadlocked hair. Pasty skin and weak brittle bones. But you will be surprised just how much choice and nourishing foods and products are out there.