Food is a very important part of the day. At the same time, it is normal to exclude some foods due to preferences, bad experiences or other reasons.
We usually wake up hungry and want to energise ourselves with tasty and suitable food and drink before going to school or work. We also eat lunch, dinner and snacks mostly because we are hungry and there is nothing peculiar about preferring different foods. We all probably have some savoury or sweet foods that we do not want to eat. Some people do not like beetroot, others dislike bell peppers or chocolate.
What do vegetarians eat? What about vegans?
As the name suggests, vegetarians do not eat meat and mostly eat plant-based food. There are many reasons to have and prefer a primarily plant-based diet. The reasons may be related to health and well-being, but also to the environment, ethical principles and religion. A vegetarian is someone who prefers to eat fruits and vegetables, seeds and grains, and they do not eat meat or fish. Vegans are another type of vegetarian.
- Vegans do not eat foods of animal origin and their diet is 100% plant-based.
- This means that they also do not eat dairy, eggs, meat, fish or honey. Some people decide to become vegan because animal products may be indigestible and cause discomfort.
- Vegetarians usually have the same principles as vegans, but, in addition to plant-based foods, they also eat eggs, dairy products and honey.
However, there are people who do not want to eat animal products out of consideration for animal welfare, as animals are living creatures who should not suffer pain or discomfort so that humans could have meat, dairy, eggs or honey. There are also religious movements and beliefs which teach people to eat plant-based foods. When it comes to the environment, there are several reasons not to consume animal products. For example, it has been highlighted that livestock creates a great deal of greenhouse gases and requires a lot of fodder, which is harming the environment more and more.
Everyone makes their own menu and the diversity of choices and options creates good conditions to do so.
Written by the youth information portal Teeviit based on the source of the National Institute for Health Development at www.toitumine.ee.
The National Institute for Health Development is a public research and development institution which conducts research on public health, disease prevention programmes and activities and promotes health.
Published on the website of Teeviit in 2021.
