Vegan Food Edinburgh

The word vegan was coined by Donald Watson, founder of the Vegan Society. He combined the first three and last two letters of vegetarian to form "vegan," which he saw as "the beginning and end of vegetarian." Vegan can refer to the diet or to the person following it.

Veganism is a diet and lifestyle that aims to exclude the use and exploitation of any animals for human consumption (i.e. food, clothing). Notable animal products include meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, honey, fur, leather, wool, and silk. Common animal by-products include gelatin, lanolin, rennet, whey, casein, beeswax, isinglass, and shellac. There is some discussion about the whether the use of certain foods (e.g. honey) fit into a vegan diet, if cooking for vegans you are advised to err on the side of caution.

Vegan diets can be varied and delicious. There is a huge range of alternative products, recipes and ideas available to make nutritious and tasty meals. Vegans are advised to eat foods fortified with B12 or take a B12 supplement regularly, as vitamin B12 is not reliably found in plant foods. They are recommended to eat three servings per day of a high calcium food, such as fortified soy milk, almonds, hazelnuts, and take a calcium supplement as necessary. They are also advised to look at the iodine within their diet and consider iodised salt or soy products to replenish iodine levels.

Many people go vegetarian for health reasons, animal rights, religious and even human rights. Several religions adhere to strict eating codes that are compatible with a vegan diet. Many others are simply concerned with the welfare of the planet and the animals on it (including ourselves!)