The phrase, 'what is it called when you eat no animal products?' has a simple, direct answer: veganism. However, the concept is far more nuanced, encompassing a philosophical stance that affects much more than just dietary choices. A person who follows this diet is called a vegan, but their lifestyle is often driven by a philosophy against animal cruelty and exploitation.
Veganism vs. A Plant-Based Diet
It is common to see the terms "vegan" and "plant-based" used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions.
Veganism: The Lifestyle and Philosophy
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals as far as is possible and practicable. For a true vegan, this includes abstaining from meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, and other animal-derived foods, as well as avoiding clothing like leather, wool, silk, and fur, and products tested on animals.
Plant-Based: The Dietary Approach
A plant-based diet refers specifically to the food component, focusing on eating primarily plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Motivations for a plant-based diet are typically health or environmental, and a person may still use non-food animal products.
Why Do People Choose This Lifestyle?
People become vegan for ethical concerns regarding animal treatment, health benefits, and environmental impact. Ethical vegans believe animals are sentient and reject factory farming practices. Health benefits linked to vegan diets include lower blood pressure, reduced heart disease risk, and lower cholesterol. Environmentally, avoiding animal products is a way to reduce one's footprint due to animal agriculture's contributions to emissions, land degradation, and water use.
What Do People Eat When They Eat No Animal Products?
A vegan diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils), whole grains (quinoa, rice), nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu, tempeh). There is also a wide variety of plant-based alternatives for milk, cheese, and meat.
How to Get Key Nutrients
A well-planned vegan diet can provide all necessary nutrients. It is important to focus on getting Vitamin B12 through supplements or fortified foods, iron from sources like lentils and leafy greens (improved absorption with Vitamin C), calcium from fortified plant milks and greens, and Omega-3 fatty acids, potentially through algae-based supplements.
Vegan vs. Vegetarian: A Comparison
To clarify the differences, here is a comparison table outlining the key dietary components of vegetarianism and veganism.
| Food Category | Lacto-ovo Vegetarian | Vegan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat (including poultry, fish) | Excludes | Excludes | Vegetarians and vegans both avoid animal flesh. |
| Dairy Products (milk, cheese) | Includes | Excludes | Lacto-vegetarians include dairy; lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans do not. |
| Eggs | Includes | Excludes | Ovo-vegetarians include eggs; lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans do not. |
| Honey | Includes | Excludes | As an animal product, honey is avoided by vegans. |
| Gelatin, Rennet | Excludes (usually) | Excludes | Many vegetarians avoid these animal byproducts, while vegans always do. |
Is Eating No Animal Products Automatically Healthy?
Eating no animal products does not guarantee health, as a vegan diet can still consist of processed junk foods. The health benefits are maximized by focusing on whole, unprocessed or minimally processed plant foods and ensuring proper nutrient intake through careful planning and reading labels.
Conclusion
In summary, the practice of eating no animal products is called a vegan diet. When this is part of a broader philosophy against animal exploitation, it is veganism, and the person is a vegan. This choice is often motivated by ethics, health, or environment. With careful planning, a diverse and nutritious vegan diet is achievable.
For more in-depth information, you can visit the official Vegan Society website which traces the rich history of the movement since its founding in 1944.
