Photo: Pabo76 / Flickr

When the UN recently announced that going vegan could save the planet, it sparked worldwide conversation on vegetarianism and veganism. Animal products (including cheese, eggs and meat) cause more damage to the environment than emissions from cars. According to the University of Chicago, going vegan is 50 per cent more effective in reducing your greenhouse emissions than switching to a hybrid car. Many of us can’t imagine life without fish and chips and chicken tikka masala. So what do vegans eat, then?

Some definitions

Vegetarians, in general, eat dairy products and eggs, while vegans avoid all animal products – including even honey. Veganism is more of a lifestyle and philosophy than a diet, as many vegans hold strong beliefs about the treatment of animals in farming, the effect of eating meat on the environment, and the health impact of eating animal products.

Is veganism healthy?

Most dieticians and doctors will agree that a vegan diet can be perfectly healthy, as long as it’s well-balanced. Vegans eat nuts, seeds, beans, lentils and soya to meet their protein requirements. In fact, many argue that the Western diet is unhealthily high in protein, and that vegan and vegetarian diets are better for you. Vegans find vitamin B12, common in dairy and meat products, in yeast extracts like Marmite and fortified soya products, while iron intake comes from dried beans and plenty of leafy green vegetables (also rich in calcium).

Vegetarian Monday

Photo: Stock.Xchng

If veganism sounds a bit extreme for you, at least consider going vegetarian once a week. Sir Paul McCartney has started a campaign for a ‘meat-free Monday’ to help fight climate change. Get creative with your cooking – eating vegetarian doesn’t mean living on salads, steamed vegetables and brown rice (although they could only benefit your health).

Even Delia Smith is getting excited about vegetarianism. You can get some inspiring recipes from her here, and if you’re willing to explore what vegans eat, take a look at Simple Vegan Recipes.

Tags: Healthy diet, vegan, vegan diet, vegetarian