What Is A Vegan - The Explosion of Veganism

Being a Vegan is the lifestyle that involves eating only plant-based foods and avoiding all animal products.

It's a hot topic that involves a lot of interesting discussions and even arguments!

But where did veganism came from? Who started it all? And why? Well, sit tight and let's dive into the juicy history of veganism together!

There are rumours that there was a poet called Al-Ma'arri who abstained from animal products because he believed that it helped with his health. 

Many of the oldest believers in not eating meat came from India and then Asia. 

Vegetarianism has mentioned in relation to Ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. Pythagoras was a vegetarian who believed in the interconnectedness of all living beings, and he reportedly avoided even wearing wool or leather

However, the term "vegan" was actually used in 1944 by a wood worker called Donald Watson and has been picked up and used throughout the world. Why was that? He started the Vegan Society in 1944. After seeing a pig killed at his uncles farm he became a vegetarian at 14, this then led to him becoming what is now know as a "Vegan". The Vegan Society wanted to create a new term to distinguish themselves from vegetarians who still consumed dairy and eggs. Months after coining the term he explained that the word was "vegan" and not "veejan". 

There are many reasons! Some people choose veganism for ethical reasons, believing that it's wrong to use and exploit animals for food, clothing, or other products. Others go vegan for health reasons, believing that a plant-based diet can help prevent or reverse chronic diseases. And still, others choose veganism for environmental reasons, believing that animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change and other environmental issues.

Veganism is more popular today than at any other time in history, but is still a small percentage of the population adhering to it. However, there's no denying that veganism has gained more mainstream attention in recent years, with more vegan options available in grocery stores and restaurants, and more celebrities and influencers promoting a plant-based diet.

It's estimated that around 1% of the global population is vegan, with the highest concentration of vegans in Western countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Some fun facts about the benefits of being vegan::

1. A plant-based diet can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

2. Eating a vegan diet can be good for your skin, since it's rich in nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants that help protect against damage from the sun and other environmental factors.

3. Vegans tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) on average than meat-eaters, since plant-based diets tend to be lower in calories and higher in fibre.

4. Eating a vegan diet can be cheaper than a meat-based diet, since plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, and tofu tend to be less expensive than meat.

5. And last but not least, going vegan can be good for the environment! Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution, so reducing your meat and dairy consumption can help reduce your carbon footprint.

So, who are some famous vegans? There are quite a few!

Here are five famous vegans:

1. Joaquin Phoenix - The Academy Award-winning actor is a longtime vegan and animal rights activist. He often speaks out about the ethical and environmental issues surrounding animal agriculture.

2. Beyoncé - The pop superstar famously adopted a plant-based diet in preparation for her 2018 Coachella performance. Since then, she has continued to promote veganism through her website and social media.

3. Ariana Grande - The singer and actress has been vegan since 2013, citing both ethical and health reasons. She often posts about her favourite vegan foods and encourages her fans to try a plant-based diet.

4. Lewis Hamilton - The Formula 1 racing driver has been vegan since 2017 and is a strong supporter of animal rights and environmental causes. He often posts about his vegan meals and has even launched a plant-based burger chain called Neat Burger.

There you have it - five famous vegans to inspire you on your plant-based journey!