What’s a Vegan Anyways?

Is it someone who protests at Sea World? Can they eat honey? What about processed food? Honestly, with all the ways of eating these days it can be hard to keep up. In short:

Vegan – Someone who doesn’t consume animal products (i.e. meat, diary, eggs, chicken, etc.)

Vegetarian – Someone who won’t eat food in which animals we’re killed, but will eat animal products like eggs and diary

Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) – Someone who doesn’t eat processed food or animal products

Whole Food Plant Based No Oil (WFPB NO) – Someone who doesn’t eat processed food, animal products, or oil

Pescatarian – Generally someone who is a vegetarian but also eats fish

These are general overviews. Some will really have at it, saying vegans don’t just abstain from animal products to eat, but also don’t go to zoos or wear leather. Some will say to WFPB means you can eat some meat once in a while. People can get pretty heated about it. Even the oil and no-oil WFPB camps are pretty die hard.

That’s why I hate the labels. Honestly, I don’t care what you call me, but I generally don’t eat animal products. When I do slip, it’s when I’m unexpectantly at a café with my family and get a croissant, knowing there is probably some butter in it. I’m at a restaurant, and the only vegan looking thing on the menu is minestrone, I will order it, thinking there’s a chance they cooked it with a rind of parm cheese stewed inside. Personally, I’ve grown off the taste of cheese, but I really am trying my best. I’d rather choke down a cupcake at a friends birthday party and smile, than say, “ARE THERE EGGS IN THIS?”

To each their own. Fact is, I’m 99% better off than I was a few years ago, and I have chosen to overlook the 1% of the time something slips than be insulting to a friend, or awkwardly not eat at a restaurant while at the table with co-workers.

Set your bar, and stick to it. If you are taking the “trying my best” approach like me, great! If you are swearing off animal products here and now, that’s great too!

One day at a time. Try your best. Know you are heading in the right direction.