"Exploring the Diverse World of Veganism: From World Vegan Day to Raw Veganism"

 

November 1 is World Vegan Day, a celebration of individuals who choose not to consume meat, eggs, dairy, honey, or any other animal-derived products. It also extends to avoiding clothing, accessories, or objects made from animals, such as leather, wool, or pearls. This animal-free holiday was established in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vegan Society, which coined the term "vegan" in 1944.

Veganism is often considered an extreme form of vegetarianism, although the concept of abstaining from flesh can be traced back to ancient societies in India and the eastern Mediterranean. Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher and mathematician from around 500 BCE, mentioned vegetarianism while promoting compassion for all species, including humans. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism also advocate vegetarianism based on the belief that humans should not cause harm to other animals.

In the Western world, vegetarianism never gained widespread popularity, although it would occasionally surface during health trends and religious revivals. The Ephrata Cloister, a strict religious sect founded in Pennsylvania in 1732, advocated vegetarianism alongside celibacy. Jeremy Bentham, an 18th-century utilitarian philosopher, compared animal suffering to human suffering and criticized the notion of human superiority as a form of racism.

The first vegetarian society was established in 1847 in England, followed by the founding of the American Vegetarian Society three years later by Rev. Sylvester Graham, known for inventing Graham crackers. Graham, a Presbyterian minister, led the Grahamites who followed his instructions for a virtuous life, including vegetarianism, temperance, abstinence, and regular bathing. In November 1944, a British woodworker named Donald Watson coined the term "vegan" to describe individuals who refrained from consuming dairy and eggs. Watson leveraged concerns over tainted food due to tuberculosis in British dairy cows, asserting that veganism protected people from such issues. He explained the pronunciation of the word as "Veegan, not Veejan" in his Vegan Society newsletter, which initially had 25 subscribers. By the time Watson passed away at the age of 95 in 2005, there were 250,000 self-identified vegans in Britain and 2 million in the United States. Notable individuals like Moby, Woody Harrelson, Fiona Apple, and Dennis Kucinich are vegans.

Strict veganism extends beyond food and prohibits the use of any animal products. However, some individuals may deviate from strict veganism. Since vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products, many vegans consume fortified foods or take supplements to ensure adequate intake. While vegetarianism has become widely accepted as a health choice and offers numerous options in restaurants and social gatherings, veganism is often associated with the animal rights movement and is considered more fringe.

Vegans can choose the level of strictness in their dietary choices. The International Vegetarian Union's website provides reminders for vegans about potential animal-derived ingredients in products such as baking pans greased with animal fat, grain cereals containing animal-based glycerin, and sugar refined with bone charcoal. Raw veganism is an offshoot of veganism where no food is cooked, and some individuals take it further with the concept of "mono meals," where only one type of food is consumed at a time. In essence, if a food exists, there is likely someone who chooses not to consume it.