The vegan diet consists mainly of all organic plant material.
Being a vegan is more than a way of eating, it is also a lifestyle.
Vegans do not consume anything with animal products in it.
They also don't use anything that could be made from animals, including clothes, beverages and cosmetics.
Some people follow a vegan diet because of strict religious beliefs or spiritual issues.
Many choose veganism because of moral and ethical issues regarding animals.
The main concern is the handling and processing of the animals used in food and other products.
These are the forefront fighters against animal testing and they argue against factory farming.
A vegetarian is a slightly less strict form of veganism.
A vegetarian will use products with animal products, and while they will consume products like eggs, milk and cheese, they stay away from meat.
Some vegetarians only refrain from eating red meat, but will eat poultry or fish.
It is a much less strict lifestyle than the vegan.
While the vegan diet lacks in many important vitamins and nutrients, it is still a relatively healthy lifestyle if maintained properly.
Vegans who properly plan and execute their diets can satisfy essential nutrient needs.
Meats contain many vitamins that the body needs to survive, but there are other options.
Lower calcium levels, lack of vitamins like B & D and iodine are big concerns for vegans.
The best way to replace these essential nutrients is to take a supplement.
But not all supplements are the same as some contain animal byproducts.
To avoid this, it is important to read the label and do your homework so you know what you are consuming.
In case studies with adolescents, it has been shown that many vegan adolescents use the diet as a way to mask an eating disorder.
However, on the other hand, a vegan diet does not lead to eating disorders.
As a parent it is important to know why your child has chosen this lifestyle.
Be involved and know what they are eating, as well as what they aren't.
Raw veganism and frutarianism are similar in concept to veganism.
Raw veganism is a diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables.
It is basically everything a vegan eats, but without cooking the product over one hundred eighteen degrees Fahrenheit.
Raw nuts, vegetables, fruits, herbs and fruit juices are high on the list of foods to eat.
Uncooked, they retain much of their essential nutrients.
The vegan who consumes at least seventy-five percent raw vegan food is considered a raw vegan.
One of the smallest niche groups of veganism are those who follow a fruitarianism diet.
As the name gives away, the most consumed material is fruit.
Along with nuts, seeds, grains and vegetables, fruit is the most substantial ingredient in this diet.
Not unlike raw vegans, people who eat at least seventy-five percent or more are thought to be fruitarians