Simply put, veganism is abstinence from the use of animal products in both diet and lifestyle.

A great explanation of ethical veganism comes from the International Vegetarian Union, "Veganism may be defined as a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. In dietary terms, it refers to the practice of dispensing with all animal produce, including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives."

Every year more and more people are making the decision to go vegan, and for good reason! There are so many amazing ways that veganism can improve our lives - fantastic health benefits, less stress on our environment, more efficient ways to use our resources, and many more!

What makes a food or product suitable for vegans?
It must not contain animal products or by-products, and it must not be tested on animals.
Any unprocessed plant food is vegan, this includes fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes.

Veganism can easily be tailored to fit into most people's lives, regardless of income. It's a myth that eating a vegan diet is expensive by nature. In fact, vegan diets in particular are very accommodating to budget living and eating. Many of the foods considered to be staples in a typical, healthy vegan diet are very affordable - grains, beans, seeds, and legumes are all good examples. You can make a lot of delicious vegan food on a budget! Vegetable curries with rice and tofu, creamy or broth-based soups, vegetable stir-fries, sandwiches, veggie & bean chilies, pasta dishes, and salads are all examples of tasty and affordable vegan meals.

There are many ways to embrace vegan living. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey - as well as avoiding animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.

If you’ve got a burning question pertaining to veganism, chances are excellent you can find the answer in this FAQ.