What is veganism?
The term ‘veganism’ is used to describe both a diet and lifestyle choice whereby an individual abstains from the use and consumption of all animal products. In comparison to other plant based diets, such as those outlined in Figure 1, a vegan diet omits the consumption of eggs, dairy, honey and gelatin, and is instead, largely comprised of wholefoods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and oils.
As a vegan lifestyle may be closely aligned with one's ethics about caring for and protecting the environment, an individual may also avoid purchasing animal derived clothing (such as wool or leather) and personal care products (such as soaps containing animal fat) for moral, environmental, religious or social reasons. Based on a survey of 100 participants conducted in 2017, the main reasons for people adopting a vegan lifestyle include:
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The promotion of veganism through social media has influenced its greater awareness and acceptance into society in recent times, as demonstrated by 78% of vegans* indicating they have adopted a vegan diet within the last two years (refer to Figure 2). According to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (2016), 5% of Australians identify themselves as vegetarians, with half of those individuals being vegan. With the demographic of vegans mostly being females under 35 years of age, the importance of educating young adults on meeting nutritional requirements through a balanced vegan diet is emphasized by both worldwide organizations, such as the American Dietetic Association, and dieticians internationally.