Exploring the Vegan Diet: Benefits and Guidelines

A diet excluding all animal products and focusing on plant-based foods for health and ethical reasons.

Vegan Diet FAQ

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What is a vegan diet based on?

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs. You can get the nutrients you need from eating a varied and balanced vegan diet including fortified foods and supplements.

What is a healthy vegan diet?

When you have at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, two or more portions of wholegrain foods (morning cereal, wholemeal bread, whole wheat pasta), a couple of servings of pulses (beans, hummus, tofu) and some nuts and seeds daily, it’s a healthy vegan diet.

What is a vegetarian diet?

It can also even extend beyond the diet by eliminating the use of any animal exploitation such as wearing leather clothing. By contrast, there are multiple types of vegetarian diets, and some versions allow animal proteins such as fish (pescatarian), eggs and dairy (lacto-ovo vegetarian).

What is a vegan diet?

According to the Vegan Society, the term “vegan” was coined back in 1944 by a small group of vegetarians who broke away from the Leicester Vegetarian Society in England to form the Vegan Society. In addition to refraining from eating meat, they chose not to consume dairy, eggs, or any other products of animal origin ( 2 ).

What is vegan food?

Vegan food encompasses a vibrant and diverse array of plant-based dishes typically made from fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. This includes: Wholefoods, such as fruit and vegetables, pulses (beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, soya and products made from them including tofu, falafel and hummus)

What can you eat on a vegan diet?

On a vegan diet, you’ll likely find yourself replacing meat, eggs, and dairy with an abundance of plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fortified products made from these foods. Transitioning to a vegan diet is easier than most people think.