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Vegetarianism and veganism have often been thought of as unhealthy diets used by “PETA-loving hippies.” There have always been many myths and stereotypes concerning vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is a diet where a person does not eat meat, and veganism, is a lifestyle lived without the use of any animal by-products, including eating eggs or dairy products, and wearing leather or wool. Contrary to popular belief, vegetarianism and veganism can both be made into healthy lifestyle choices by making sure a person gets the right amount of nutrients from other foods. While veganism can be tricky, both diets can be easy to maintain, whether your reason is health-based, part of your religion, about animal rights, or you just do not like meat.
Vegetarianism first started millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The first vegetarians were herbivorous dinosaurs. Vegetarianism later reappeared in Asia and the Middle East, when Buddhism and Hinduism came about. The idea came to Europe first through heretics, and monks of different religions. Small groups of Christian vegetarians brought vegetarianism to America, and vegetarianism became an idea associated with cultural reform movements, and through out the ‘70’s and 80’s, vegetarians became active protesters, or peaceful hippies, who believed in harming no animals.
Many people assume that veganism and vegetarianism are completely different. In reality, veganism is the most extreme form of vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is defined as a diet where a person eats no meat, and veganism is more of a lifestyle, where a person uses no animal by-products in any aspect of their life. The fact that veganism is a form of vegetarianism often confuses many people, because while vegetarianism is seen as just a diet, and veganism, a lifestyle, becoming vegetarian is in fact, a huge lifestyle change.
While there are different types of vegetarians, many people wonder if there are different types of vegans. Since...