World Vegan Day 2023: 12 things you need to know about the nutrition trend

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1. What is vegan?

Vegans refuse to use animals in any way; They don’t go to zoos or circuses with animal shows, and they don’t have pets. They reject meat, fish, milk and dairy products, eggs and honey, as well as animal products such as leather, wool and silk. Cosmetics/medicines tested in animal experiments are also out of the question. Very strict vegans are called fructarians. They don’t even want the plants to be harmed. They only eat foods such as nuts or fruit picked from the plant. Potatoes and other root vegetables are taboo because the plant is destroyed during harvest.

2. How is it different from vegetarians?

Vegetarians do not eat anything with eyes; that is, neither fish, nor meat, nor shellfish. Some also avoid milk, dairy products and eggs.

3. How many vegans are there?

It is estimated that only 1.5 to 3 percent of the adult population adheres strictly to a vegan lifestyle. Among those aged 14 to 34, the number is twice as high. 60 percent of vegans are men. The majority of vegetarians are women.

4. Why are there still so many vegan products and restaurants?

Those attracted to the market are, with exceptions, flexible people living a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. They only eat meat occasionally, perhaps at parties. Their share in the population is increasing; it is currently estimated to be just under 20 percent.

5. These celebrities are vegan

Al Gore, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and also rumored to be Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp. In Switzerland: Anja Leuenberger, Anja Zeidler, Andreas Hänni (ice hockey players).

6. Animals are hidden inside gummy bears

They contain gelatin, and red gummy bears also contain carmine, a dye obtained from scale insects. (Abbreviation: E120).

7. Yogurt, pudding, muesli and wine

Dairy products, fruit juices, other red desserts and lipstick may also contain carmine. Gelatin is also found in puddings and yoghurt, is used as a coating on sweetened cereals to keep the sugar from sticking to it, and is used to clarify wine.

8. Most baked goods are not vegan

To facilitate the kneading of flour, the L-cysteine ​​additive is often used in bakeries. This amino acid, which has the abbreviation E920, is made from pig hair and bird feathers. In addition to lactose, many chips also contain animal ingredients, depending on the type of game, fish, poultry, beef or pork.

9. Detergents contain oils of animal origin

It often contains fats of animal origin; B. to make laundry softer or to protect material surfaces from burn damage.

10. Is vegan healthy?

“Whether a diet is ‘healthy’ does not depend solely on whether animal products are consumed,” says Stéphanie Bieler of the Swiss Society for Nutrition (SGE). “The breadth of food choice determines how good the nutrient supply is.” It is more difficult to provide adequate amounts of zinc, vitamin D, iron, calcium or vitamin B2 without animal products. At certain stages of life (pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood, growth, old age), complete coverage is even more difficult due to special nutritional needs. B12 is only found in animal products, vegans should definitely supplement it!”

11. Do meat eaters die?

No, assuming annual meat consumption per capita. According to figures from the Proviande meat association, 50.98 kg of meat per capita was consumed in Switzerland in 2016, most of which was pork. 20 years ago – in 1996 – 53.6 kg of meat was eaten; this was only 5 percent more than today.

12. Are Vegis smarter?

The trend is yes, as scientists from Britain’s University of Southampton found: The higher the IQ in childhood, the more likely it is to become a vegetarian in adulthood. A 15 percent difference in IQ increases the likelihood of becoming a vegetarian by 38 percent.

Source : Blick