As a health and fitness blogger, a lot of the bloggers I interact with are foodies. Foodie is a broad term, but in its most general sense, it is people that really, really like food- either making it, eating it, or any combination of the two. A smaller subset is the Health Foodie niche: people interested in health, longevity, sustainability and often organic and local aspects of food and farming.
Vegans and vegetarians are a natural part of the foodie world, as they follow a strict diet (diet in the literal sense as in whatever they choose to eat) that many people don’t understand or are intrigued by. Vegetarians stay away from meat products, either for health reasons, such as allergies or the belief that meat is harmful to the body, or for moral reasons, such as animal rights and not wanting to support the inhumane treatment of livestock. Vegans hold much of the same principles as truths, but they stay away from all animal by products, which includes milk, cheese, yogurt and eggs. This often extends past food into other areas of life, such as refusing to use leather products or support companies that they believe to treat the environment or animals cruelly. This is why veganism and vegetarianism is often called a lifestyle instead of a diet- its not just about food.
Of course, taking an emotional issue like this and trying to examine the motivation behind someone’s lifestyle is not going to leave everyone feeling represented. I have to say these are not the only reasons one would become vegan/vegetarian, and not all are as strict as others in their practices.
As with anything that has to do with food, there is a big, wide gray area as to what is considered healthy, when hobby turns into obsession, and, of course, weight loss. Recently, through out the blogosphere, I have seen many people that use veganism and vegetarianism as a diet- a way to restrict food groups under the socially acceptable blanket term of a vegan and vegetarian diet.
This isn’t to say that they are engaging in dangerous behaviors or are exhibiting signs of an eating disorder, but many liken the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle to a way to eat only fruits and vegetables to lose weight. While they may be eating like a vegan or vegetarian, is it right to label their eating as such? For the vegan and vegetarian lifestylers, not eating certain foods is a way of showing their beliefs- can it still be called such if one is adopting the actions for different motives all together?
Many also straddle the middle, dabbling in meat or dairy restriction just to see if they can do it, or if they will make them feel healthier. Some claim to be “flexitarians” where they only eat meat occasionally, because they like it too much. I think this term is unnecessary because, by definition, you are an omnivore, who doesn’t eat meat very often.
We can all argue until we are blue in the face about whether veganism and vegetarianism is actually healthier for you, but does picking and choosing parts of a lifestyle that suit your needs and then wearing the label, cheapen the values that those living the actual lifestyle hold so dear?
What do you think? Do half-hearted vegans and vegetarians dilute the name down to nothing more than a fad diet?
A Life Connected
Everything you do has an impact on other people, on the planet and on the animals with whom you share the world. Living Nonviolence as a way of life means making the connections — making the right choices so that your impact is in line with your moral values.
Nearly all the problems in the world today stem from the fact that people have forgotten who they really are. Nonviolence offers direction so you can remember who you are and act in a reconnected way. It’s a win-win way of living — you’ll build a better life for you and a better world for everyone.
Being aware and aligned with your values makes you conscious, complete and more powerful. And when millions of conscious, empowered people join together through Nonviolence, it will create a movement the likes of which the world has never seen.
http://www.nonviolenceunited.org/veganvideo.html
And then you have vegan foodies like me who are obsessed with correct spelling. I guess you could call me a vegan spellcheck foodie. FYI, “dappling” should be “dabbling”, and “flexititarian” should be “flexitarian” in your blog.
But like you, I can do without the food cranks. And I don’t know if veganism or vegetarianism are all that socially acceptable yet, especially the former. I still get a lot of flack and odd looks because of my chosen diet of the last decade, which is based on personal ethics.
vegard- touche, all fixed.
Just FYI I fixed it, vegard were right, my mistake, so nobody yell at them for being wrong.
You said the following about Veganism
“This often extends past food into other areas of life, such as refusing to use leather products or support companies that they believe to treat the environment or animals cruelly. ”
This is not true. Veganism ALWAYS extends past food into other areas of life. Veganism is not just about food/health/diet. It is what you do beyond diet that makes you Vegan. If it is just about food/health/diet then you are a strict vegetarian.
I agree with Rahzh. It’s important to note, especially in an article questioning whether misrepresentations of veganism are watering down people’s perception of veganism, what veganism is actually about. Veganism isn’t just a personal ethical choice. It’s a reflection of a belief that the exploitation of animals on all levels (i.e. whether it’s for their flesh / eggs / milk / skin, for our entertainment, et al.) needs to end. The truth is that there’s no such thing as a half-hearted vegan–you either are or you aren’t. It’s a moral and political commitment to ending animal exploitation and not just stepping back from it, yourself.
You can’t be half vegan. The word vegan does not mean someone who does not eat animal products. Vegan means food, clothes, life. If you do not eat meat, eggs, etc, but you purchase wool, etc. you are NOT vegan. You are someone who does not eat animal products, but not vegan.
So, yes it does cheapen veganism in a way that it can never be understood because there is always someone who is not vegan, but labels themselves as one, which in turn causes everyone to think that vegetarians eat fish or that vegans eat or wear something that is against what they believe.
If the only meat you eat is fish (yes fish is meat), you are an omnivore, not a vegetarian. Call yourself a pescatarian if you want, but you are not a vegetarian. In reality vegetarian would not eat eggs, milk, etc. But, the true definition of the word got destroyed somewhere in time. If you eat vegan meals more than meat you are an omnivore, just one that eats less meat.
If you want to call yourself a vegan you have know and believe the true definition of vegan.
Rahzh and Mylene- this is precisely why I wrote the article. Rahzh’s point that veganism ALWAYS includes these practices is the exact question that comes into play- who decides? The fact is, there are tons of people that call themselves vegan that do not practice everything you both pointed out. How do you draw a line on a moral implication? Someone who claims to be vegan and follows all the practices but is not as strongly opposed, are they less vegan? Can they not use the term at all? Who is to know what is in their heart?
If Im going to toss my opinion into the ring, I straight up feel that people that adopt some vegan beliefs or practices to suit their own needs, or run their own agenda (from my experience, usually weight loss) but not all, and then wear the name like its the newest trendy fashion completely undermine the foundation veganism was originally founded on. I know that it is a lifestyle and I know that its a protest against the way animals are treated. My question is, if someone follows the practices, but doesn’t hold the beliefs, does their self-label cheapen your own? It helps the cause, even slightly by not consuming meat products, but if they do not fully back everything, or hold the same beliefs, are they on the same level as omnivores in a staunch, traditional vegan’s book? Little better? Not at all?
Rahzh’s last comment also brings up a good point: “If it is just about food/health/diet then you are a strict vegetarian.” Do vegans view vegetarians on the same level as omnivores? Seems by his comment vegetarian is the definition of someone that follows the food rules but doesn’t fully live the lifestyle.
If you check with the Vegan Society, whose founders invented and defined the word vegan, you will find that it definitely does mean more than just the food we eat:
“the word “veganism” denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose”
“Who is to know what is in their heart?”
They do…. but really, I don’t think it matters whats in their heart if their actions don’t follow. If someone cries at a cow being slaughtered, and in their heart they really “feel” for the cow — but then they go out and buy some leather pants… it just doesn’t matter. If someone thinks it’s so sad how calves are ripped away from their mourning mothers — but then goes out and drinks a big glass of cow’s milk… it just doesn’t matter. If someone thinks the castration, beating and slaughter of pigs is outrageous and can’t bear to look at the video — but then goes out for a bacon breakfast… it just doesn’t matter.
It just doesn’t matter… to them or to the animals who are suffering for their taste buds.
Hypocrisy denies you the right to label yourself vegan.
Just my 2 cents.
This is the problem with labels….. once you put a label on something it becomes black or white. Interesting article and interesting feedback in the comments!
-A
i hate to throw this in here, but I think that animals being killed for food has been going on since the pre-historic times.. and other animals kill other animals for food- if you dont believe me, turn on animal planet, i watch it all the time there. call me callous and cold, but thats the cycle of life and the best thing we can do as HUMANS is to do our part in making raising animals for food as humane as possible. I do feel the animal cruelty going on in todays factory farming is a disgrace, designed purely to raise profits and reduce over head costs. i think its disgusting, so I do my best to make sure I am choosing my meats wisely.
and its a good thing, I cant afford to wear leather anything, except for my sneakers. I happily buy my “pleather” purses at target. But would i wear a fur coat if i could afford one? Nope! But I bet the people who lived in the stone age would love to have a fur coat to keep them warm! there is no need for anyone to wear fur anymore with super warm coats and our heating systems we have now..
I can’t eat dairy right now, so if i gave up eating meat, i would be a vegan for “medical reasons”. But because I dont extend the vegan lifestyle into every aspect of my life, im not a vegan?
I guess that would be compareable to a Bible-belt Baptist and a Christmas and Easter Catholic.
A- ballsy. Jumping into the lion’s den, my friend, lol.
Religion is about the only other comparison I can think of, too, even though its not a perfect comparison. I was raised Catholic, was confirmed as a teen, but do not hold the values. I do not consider myself a Catholic even though I performed all the necessary rights of passage. Its not in my heart- so it does not define me. In the eyes of the church- who knows? They might consider me a Catholic because I was confirmed (doubtful- they are pretty judgemental) but i don’t think what anyone else thinks has any bearing on how I see myself.