Health

Important Facts About Veganism

Veganism

If you are curious about living a vegan lifestyle, you’ll soon realize it’s not just about food. Many different aspects of life change if you want to follow vegan principles. From the clothes you wear, the supplements you take to furniture and beauty products you buy. Read on to learn more about this lifestyle.

What Is Veganism?

In 1944, a small group of vegetarians decided to stop consuming eggs, dairy and other animal products. They referred to this new lifestyle as veganism. It has since evolved into the principle of not using any products made of, taken from or tested on animals. It is a style of living that focuses on health for humans, animals and the environment.

Some choose this way of life because they are looking to improve their health. Eating a diet full of plants and grains helps ward off diabetes, obesity and heart problems. Others choose this as a statement against animal cruelty or to protect the environment from the negative effects of animal farming. Whatever reason you are choosing to explore this principle, there are many positive outcomes.

What Foods Do Vegans Eat?

Meals choices include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and seeds for people following a vegan diet. This list may seem limited at first, but many creative recipes make these foods tasty and filling. Options like veggie burgers, sweet potato curry and lentil stew are flavorful alternatives to traditional American meals. Recently, new foods are making their way to the grocery shelves that are vegan substitutes for meat products. They look and taste similar and are helping meat lovers by giving them healthy plant-based alternatives. This way of eating has gotten popular enough that restaurants with solely vegan plates are popping up in cities across America.

Strict veganism requires that everything a person consumes must be from plants, including vitamins, supplements and medications. These items cannot be tested on animals either. An increasing supply of natural products is available, including plant-based vitamins and natural pain relievers in the form of a vegan CBD tincture. Many health food stores and online websites offer these items for sale.

What Are Vegan Beauty Products?

Surprisingly, multiple items, such as make-up, soap, toothpaste, and shampoo, have animal byproducts in them. Can you believe that some brands of toothpaste have animal fat added? That is a unique ingredient, but many products do have honey, beeswax or keratin in them. All cosmetics must list the ingredients, so always check the label if you aren’t sure if the brand is vegan. Also, look for items that state it is not tested on animals. Manufacturers are not required to advertise if its products have been used on animals, but companies that make a point of not participating in animal testing gladly provide that information on its label.

What Are Other Common Animal Products?

Animal products have been used for centuries to create clothing, jewelry and accessories. Silk fibers from worms, wool from sheep and leather from cattle hides have become popular apparel items. You may not be thinking animal products when you see a silk blouse or a leather purse, so keep this in mind when you shop. There are other things to keep an eye out for, too, such as feathers, cashmere, angora, fur and pearls. It’s surprising when you look around and realize how many clothing items and accessories come from animals. Many designers have started to use imitations, so check labels to see if that jacket is made from leather or polyurethane.

What Is Vegan Furniture?

Though furniture isn’t marketed as vegan, there are some items made from animal products. Some examples are leather sofas, down pillows and comforters, fur rugs and tortoiseshell embellishments. Fortunately, there are many alternative options on the market. Some are even environmentally friendly, such as bamboo and recycled plastics.

Adopting a vegan lifestyle affects your life in many different ways. Not only are you filling your plate with fruits and veggies, but you are also more aware of what you wear, the health supplements you take, the beauty supplies you use, the clothes and accessories you wear and the furniture you buy. Living a vegan lifestyle has many positive benefits, so decide if it is right for you.

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