What Is a Vegan? What Do Vegans Eat?

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Vegan - What is a vegan? What do vegans eat?

By Jolinda Hackett, Vegetarian Food Expert

Updated March 29, 2016.

Definition:

What is a vegan? What is veganism?

Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines. 

Vegan refers to either a person who follows this way of eating, or to the diet itself. That is, the word vegan can be an adjective used to describe a food item, as in, "This curry is vegan", or, it can be used as a noun, as in, "Vegans like cookies, too."

See also: 

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• Types of Vegetarians
• Easy Vegan Recipes
• What is a vegetarian?

Although there is some debate as to whether certain foods, such as honey, fit into a vegan diet, if you are cooking for other vegans, it is best to err on the side of caution and avoid these foods. Most vegans extend the definition of veganism to go beyond just food and will also avoid the use of all personal and household products tested on animals, and avoid purchasing and using all animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool.

See Also: Common Questions About Vegetarianism: Vegetarian FAQS

There is some debate as to whether second-hand animal products, such as a leather jacket from a thrift store, can be included in a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle or not.

What do vegans eat?

This is perhaps the most common question about veganism. A vegan diet includes all grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits and the nearly infinite number of foods made by combining them. 

In addition, many vegan versions of familiar foods are available, so you can eat vegan hot dogs, ice cream, cheese and vegan mayonnaise along with the more familiar veggie burgers.

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 Many foods are associated with veganism, such as soy milk and tofu, but many non-vegans also enjoy tofu, and you certainly don't have to like tofu in order to eat vegan.

See also: Help! I want to go vegan but I hate tofu!

Vegans also eat many of the same common and familiar every day foods such as a green salad, spaghetti, and chips and salsa which just about everyone eats. For example, foods such as a vegetarian burrito without cheese or sour cream would be vegan, a vegetarian Thai curry made from coconut milk is vegan, pasta with tomato sauce or another non-meat and non-dairy sauce is vegan, and most breads are vegan. 

See also:

• Most popular vegan recipes on About.com
• Vegan dinner ideas
• Egg Substitutes
• Milk Substitutes
• Dairy Substitutes
   

How can I become vegan?

So you've decided to become vegan. But now what? Some people easily go from eating meat to vegan right away, while others struggle with their new commitment, or choose to go vegetarian first and then slowly omit eggs and dairy. There's no right or wrong way to do it, but you may want to learn about what's worked for other people. However you do it, keep your goals in mind and remember why you are choosing to adopt a vegan diet.

See also:

• How to Go Vegetarian or Vegan
• 637 reasons to go vegetarian

Pronunciation: VEE-gun (not VAY-gun)

Also Known As: Strict vegetarian

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