Diet

The greatest harm caused to other animals is by our use of them as food. So, although veganism is much more than a diet, one of the most significant changes to your life when you go vegan will concern what you eat.

What is a vegan diet?

What foods do vegans avoid?

Let’s begin by looking at what vegans do not eat. They do not consume anything of animal origin. They do not eat animal flesh, including the flesh of fishes or chickens; they do not consume eggs (or foods that contain egg ingredients such as some confectionery, non-vegan mayonnaise, some biscuits, cakes and deserts; and many processed vegetarian foods). Vegans do not consume dairy products (i.e. milk and milk products such cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milk chocolate etc). This includes avoidance of dairy products made from the milk of sheep and goats. Vegans also avoid honey.

What do Vegans Eat?

Vegans eat plants. Although a vegan diet is frequently caricatured as being comprised of raw vegetables and salads, in fact it can be more varied, palatable and satisfying than a non-vegan diet.

Vegans eat much the same as non-vegans, but their meals are 100% plant based. They eat ‘veganised’ versions of  bread, breakfast cereal, soup, sandwiches, curry, spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, casserole, chocolate, cake, ice cream etc. Many of the recipes that people are already familiar with are vegan. They include traditional British, Irish, Italian, Indian, Chinese, and Mexican dishes.

If your favourite food is not vegan then it is not food.  It was a sentient life.  However, with a little creativity you can create the same taste minus the violence. Investigate and experiment with vegan versions of your favourite recipes. Check our Product Guide and Recipes Page and our Vegan Kit for ideas and information on vegan substitutes for meat, eggs, cheese, milk, yoghurt, confectionery, luxury ice creams and chocolates.

How do I know it’s vegan

The easiest way to ensure that your diet is 100% plant based is to eat wholefoods. This is also the healthiest way to eat. However, many people choose to include processed foods in their diet. If you are one of them, you need to become an avid label reader. Animal ingredients are frequently hidden in processed food. The most significant ones to watch out for are whey, lactose, egg white, preservatives and colours that are not derived from plants. Remember that animal ingredients sometimes lurk in drinks such as alcohol and orange juice (fortified juices may contain fish oils; some juices are dyed using insects).

Allergy labels can be helpful alerts as to the contents of processed food.

Food that is labelled vegetarian may, or may not, be suitable for vegans. Eggs and dairy are acceptable to vegetarians, but not to vegans.

You can download a guide to vegan friendly alcohol here.

Some products carry the Vegan Society Trademark. You can also search for products that carry the trademark here and in our Products Guide.

Remember that many items that are not labelled vegan are suitable for vegans. You need to read the label.

There are also some useful books and websites that you can use to help you identify 100% plant based foods, such as this one. You will soon become increasingly familiar with identifiying animal ingredients on food labels. You might also find it helpful to write to your supermarket for a list of their vegan products. Some of the Suitable for Vegans Products Lists are included in our Vegan Guide. There are also some Facebook Groups where people post useful information and queries about products that are suitable for vegans. Many other websites have very comprehensive information on vegan products. You will find some of them in the Resources Section. Social media groups that help identify products that are suitable for vegans might help you or you might find it helpful to find a vegan mentor who has experience of the lifestyle.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people will be delighted to help.Your questions are not ridiculous. Every vegan had questions in the initial stages. Asking questions demonstrates your commitment to living in alignment with your ethics.

Please see the Section on Nutrition and the Resources section for further information.

Furniture/Car seats etc

Animal skin is often used to cover furniture, on car seats, and on seats in public transport vehicles. Animal skins and their wool are also used in carpets and rugs.

Living as a vegan means ending our role in the use of products and practices that are predicated on the exploitation of others, to the best of our practical ability. It may not be practical for you to change your car right now, or to purchase new furniture. But next time you purchase an item, make sure that it does not exist because someone else lost their life in its production.

Intersectionality

It is useful to remember that many humans are exploited in the production of consumer goods such as clothing. Many vegans choose ethical brands that do not exploit others. It is also important to remember the destruction of our shared environment in the production of clothing, furniture, transport etc. At every turn we take, we are confronted with advertising for products that promise happiness, confidence, security, and pleasure. Many of the items we purchase are unnecessary. Some people fritter away all the hours of their precious lives, working for things they don’t need that also harm others. The best way to do the least harm is to be vegan first, and then simply consume less. You can also buy some great second hand items.