Veganism explained.

 

Committing yourself to a strictly vegan lifestyle is a big step for many people and many are not aware of what this entails and how far it can interfere with their daily lives. What some people do not know is that there is a difference between committing to a vegan lifestyle and to a vegan diet. I personally, am pursuing a vegan diet, but I am trying, step by step, to adopt a vegan lifestyle. First, what is a vegan diet? Simply put, it means not eating any products that are from animals. Here are some examples: Meat, and dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and chocolate, as well as, eggs, honey, and more. This seems like a lot of food that you cannot consume if you stick to that diet. However, whenever you start informing yourself a bit more about what you can eat and what is healthy for you, you will find many products that you are already eating are vegan and will discover many great new food choices. However, the vegan diet is only a part of a vegan lifestyle. Committing yourself to a completely vegan lifestyle is much more complex. It means not consuming any products that are derived from animals. This entails, being conscious of where you buy clothes, makeup, bathroom items, accessories, and any other item that could have been from animals or where animal testing took a part. As defined by the vegan society :

"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

Some people might ask "Why would you commit yourself to such a diet/ lifestyle?" Every single person that is vegan will probably answer differently. There are plenty of reasons why you would want to choose a vegan diet or lifestyle. Many choose to be vegan for their personal health, because of environmental issues, or for ethical reasons. Personally, I chose it because of all the reasons but mostly because I do not think that any living being and the environment should suffer because of my consumption. As The Vegetarian Resource Group states: 

"Many vegans choose this lifestyle to promote a more humane and caring world. They know they are not perfect, but believe they have a responsibility to try to do their best, while not being judgmental of others."

Committing yourself to a vegan diet or a vegan lifestyle might be easier for some people than for others. However, I see it as a journey where you will find yourself exploring different food options from other cultures and new sustainable ways of living.