The Fascinating History of Plant-Based Eating

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

Evidence suggests that early human ancestors were primarily herbivores before becoming opportunistic meat-eaters, offering a glimpse into the deep and complex history of plant-based eating. From ancient philosophers to modern movements, the journey reflects shifting human relationships with food, animals, and the planet.

Quick Summary

This article explores the historical origins of vegetarianism and veganism, highlighting their links to ancient religions, influential philosophers, and subsequent societal movements. It details key milestones and motivations, including ethics, health, and environmental concerns, that have shaped plant-based diets throughout history.

Key Points

Ancient Roots: The concept of plant-based eating dates back millennia, particularly in India (linked to Jainism and Buddhism) and ancient Greece (promoted by Pythagoras).
Spiritual and Ethical Drivers: Early motivations were often spiritual, ethical, and philosophical, based on non-violence (ahimsa), respect for all life, and the transmigration of souls.
Western Rediscovery: After largely disappearing from Europe during the Middle Ages, vegetarianism re-emerged during the Renaissance and gained momentum in the 19th century through new societies and advocates.
The Birth of 'Vegan': The term 'vegan' was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, who created the Vegan Society to distinguish those who abstain from all animal products, including dairy and eggs.
Modern Expansion: The 20th and 21st centuries saw plant-based eating grow due to increasing awareness of health benefits, environmental concerns, and innovations like plant-based meat alternatives.
Evolution of Motivation: The shift from ethically-driven and ascetic practices to mainstream, health-conscious, and environmentally-motivated lifestyles reflects a significant evolution in why people choose plant-based diets.

Ancient Roots: Philosophical and Religious Foundations

Plant-based eating has deep roots in ancient civilizations and belief systems. The earliest examples can be found in the Indus Valley, dating back over 9,000 years.

Indian Religions and the Concept of Ahimsa

A central tenet in ancient India, the doctrine of ahimsa (non-violence) in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism significantly influenced plant-based diets. Jainism, in particular, established strict vegetarianism between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE. Emperor Ashoka's decrees against animal slaughter in the 3rd century BCE further illustrate this influence.

Greek Philosophy and the Pythagorean Diet

In ancient Greece around the 6th century BCE, the philosopher Pythagoras promoted a vegetarian diet based on the belief in the transmigration of souls. This became known as the "Pythagorean diet" in the West for centuries. Later Greek thinkers also presented ethical arguments against meat consumption.

Early Christian Asceticism and Islamic Mysticism

While vegetarianism largely faded in Europe after the decline of Greece and Rome, save for some ascetic practices, certain Sufi mystics in the Islamic world recommended meatless diets for spiritual reasons.

The Resurgence of the Plant-Based Ideal in the West

The concept of plant-based eating saw renewed interest in the West during and after the Renaissance.

The 19th Century: The Birth of Vegetarian Societies

The 19th century was marked by the establishment of formal organizations promoting vegetarianism. The British Vegetarian Society was founded in 1847, coining and popularizing the term "vegetarian". In the United States, Reverend William Metcalfe and Sylvester Graham were notable advocates who co-founded the American Vegetarian Society in 1850. Earlier figures like Percy Bysshe Shelley made ethical and health arguments for meatless diets, and an early vegan community in the 1830s also used the term "vegetarian" in their publication.

The 20th Century: Veganism and Health Consciousness

With the rise of industrialized animal agriculture, a distinction emerged between vegetarianism and veganism. In 1944, Donald Watson and others founded the Vegan Society, coining the term "vegan" to denote abstinence from all animal products, including dairy and eggs, based on the belief that dairy and meat exploitation were linked. Health benefits also became a growing focus, influenced by figures like Dr. John Harvey Kellogg.

The 21st Century: Mainstream Movement and Innovation

The 21st century has seen plant-based eating become a mainstream movement driven by ethics, environment, and health. Health advocates like Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and Dr. Neal Barnard have highlighted the health benefits. Innovations from companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have made plant-based options more accessible. Concerns about the environmental impact of animal agriculture and the influence of social media have further propelled the movement.

Historical Diets: Plant-Based vs. Omnivorous


Feature	Plant-Based Diets (Historically)	Omnivorous Diets (Historically)
Motivation	Primarily religious and philosophical (India, Greece); sometimes ascetic (monks).	Survival and nutritional expediency; dictated by local resources and climate.
Ethical Stance	Based on principles like ahimsa (non-harm) and kinship of all living beings.	Typically viewed animal consumption as part of the natural order for human sustenance.
Staple Foods	Grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, often locally sourced.	Included meat, fish, eggs, and dairy alongside plants, depending on availability.
Social Status	Adopted by philosophers, mystics, or ascetic communities.	Often practiced by the general populace; meat was sometimes a sign of wealth.
Geographic Spread	Strongest presence in ancient India; spread to China via Buddhism.	More prevalent in regions with climates that made consistent plant cultivation difficult.

Conclusion

The history of plant-based eating is a long and varied one, spanning millennia and diverse cultures. Initially driven by spiritual and ethical beliefs in ancient India and Greece, it re-emerged in the West through reform movements and the establishment of vegetarian societies. The coining of the term 'vegan' marked a further distinction based on a commitment to avoiding all animal products. Today, alongside ethical concerns, health and environmental factors are major motivators, amplified by technological innovation and global communication. The enduring idea that a plant-focused diet offers significant benefits for individuals and the planet continues to shape its evolution.

World Vegan Travel: Veganism - A brief history of plant-based living

Frequently Asked Questions

The earliest evidence of plant-based eating dates back over 9,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization. It was also influenced by ancient philosophies in India and Greece that emphasized non-violence toward animals.

The Greek philosopher Pythagoras (c. 530 BCE) was a key advocate for vegetarianism, or the "Pythagorean diet." His advocacy was rooted in his belief in the transmigration of souls, suggesting that consuming animals was akin to harming a human soul.

The term "vegan" was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and Dorothy Morgan. They formed the Vegan Society in the UK to create a clear distinction from vegetarians, defining it as abstaining from all animal products.

Religion was a major historical driver for plant-based diets, particularly in Eastern religions like Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, which promoted non-violence (ahimsa). Certain Christian and Islamic sects also practiced forms of vegetarianism for ascetic or spiritual reasons.

Following the Christianization of the Roman Empire, vegetarianism largely disappeared from Europe. While some monks restricted meat for ascetic reasons, the practice generally fell out of favor, only to re-emerge during the Renaissance and later reform movements.

The modern movement was spurred by the rise of vegetarian societies in the 19th century, the coining of 'vegan' in the 20th century, growing health consciousness, and increasing awareness of environmental and ethical issues associated with industrialized animal agriculture.

Historically, motivations were primarily ethical, religious, and philosophical. While those reasons persist, modern movements also emphasize personal health, environmental sustainability, and technological innovations in plant-based food production.