Vegan ≠ vegetarian

The shortest possible definition

Veganism is a way of living and a philosophy that avoids all animal-based products and stands against the oppression and cruelty of sentient beings, within all practical limits.

The word was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, who founded the Vegan Society. From the start it was framed as a stance against animal exploitation, not just a diet.

Vegan vs vegetarian vs plant-based

• Vegetarian - does not consume any meat or fish, but likely consumes dairy and eggs or any products that come from animals.
• Vegan - not just a diet but a lifestyle that avoids all animal-based products and stands against the oppression and cruelty of sentient beings, within all practical limits.
• Plant-based - usually used to describe the diet only, with no ethical or lifestyle component, usually adopted for health reasons.

Why people do it

There's no single reason and no required reason. The most common three:

• Animals - most people, once they know how dairy and eggs are actually produced, stop wanting to fund it.
• Health - well-planned vegan diets are linked to lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers.
• Environment - animal agriculture is one of the biggest drivers of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and land use.

Most people who stick with it long-term end up caring about all three, in some order.

A few edge cases

• Honey - produced by bees, so most vegans skip it.
• Wine, beer - often fined with isinglass (fish bladder) or egg. See the alcohol guide.
• Figs - yes, vegan. The internet rumour is wrong.
• Oysters - vegan, as they are not sentient beings.