What is Vegan?

"What is Vegan? Veganism?", "What do you all eat?", "Do you get plenty of protein a day?", "It is expensive, isn't it?", etc..

This is what my whole family have been asked hundreds of times from people we meet, neighbors, friends, parents at school, kids' friends, families...


Are we used to it? Yes, sure. Many are not familiar, do not know, and need educate on Veganism/Vegan.




What is Veganism and Vegan?

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. Vegan is an herbivore, or plant eater, who lives solely on plant products and excludes all animal flesh, including that of poultry and fish, any product made by an animal such as milk and all other dairy products, eggs, gelatin, and honey.

Vegetarian avoids eating meat, poultry, and fish.  There are several types of vegetarianism.



What do you all eat?

Our vegan diet includes all grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits and the nearly infinite number of foods made by combining them.


Do you get plenty of protein a day?

Yes! Absolutely! What you have heard or told that you wouldn't get enough protein a day as vegetarian or vegan is not true! Average of protein a day recommended by USDA for men is around 56 grams and for women is around 46 grams.

It is very easy for a vegan diet to meet the recommendations for protein, as long as calorie intake is adequate. Great link to see where most of protein we get in our Vegan Diet - http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm


It is expensive, isn't it?

HA! No, it's very inexpensive! Seriously! Many of you eat meats and dairy, buys organic meats, organic dairy, many others... We only get oatmeal, almond butter, organic fruits and vegetables, gluten-free pasta, tomato sauce, corn flour to make tortillas, jasmine and brown rice, MANY varies of beans, Japanese and sweet potatoes, and common produce can be relatively inexpensive.
Moreover, simply comparing supermarket prices doesn’t take into account the true costs of animal agriculture, some of which are described in a New York Times article - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=1



I highly recommend you to learn and watch Forks Over Knives documentary DVD.