The Vegan Society defines veganism as, “A 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.”

Veganism can come in many different form, including raw food diet vegans, but all vegans eat a plant-based diet and do not eat any animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, insects, dairy, eggs and honey.

Many also avoid any foods with yeast in them in order to avoid exploiting these living creatures, which are used for bread, beer and other fermented foods.’

Most people focus on what vegans eat, but veganism is about more than just food. Vegans also avoid animal-derived products such as leather and natural-bristle hair brushes, fur, and various cosmetics like mascara (made from ground up chicken feathers) and lipstick (often derived from crushed insects). Continue reading →

Going vegetarian/vegan is a great health choice for those with heart health issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic health issues.

It is also an ethical choice for those who don’t want to eat animals, or any products that exploit them.

However, shifting to a plant-based diet does have significant nutritional implications it is important to be aware of so you don’t end up with any dietary deficiencies.

The most common concern with all of these diets is whether or not it is possible to get enough protein.

The truth is that you can, but you need to plan ahead. Your main sources will depend on which plant-based diet you adopt. Continue reading →