What Makes It Vegan? by Debbie Norrell

Do you ever wonder what makes an item vegan? It seems that being a vegan has become popular, and the rising stardom of Tabitha Brown has contributed to its popularity. If you don’t know Tabitha Brown, she is the all-around overnight sensation who has been working for twenty years to be where she is today. She can put actress, author, Emmy nominated, restaurant co-owner and vegan behind her name. She recently launched a food line that can be found at Target. The line includes several flavors of popcorn, and I must admit, it is quite good. But my curiosity got the best of me what makes it vegan? According to the Vegan Society, the term “vegan” was coined back in 1944 by a small group of vegetarians who broke away from the Leicester Vegetarian Society in England to form the Vegan Society. In addition to refraining from eating meat, they chose not to consume dairy, eggs, or any other products of animal origin.

The term “vegan” was chosen from the combination of the first and last letters of “vegetarian.” By 1949, the first definition of veganism had been born. It has changed slightly over the years to become what it is known as today.

On a vegan diet, you can eat foods made from plants, including:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Breads, rice, and pasta
  • Dairy alternatives such as soymilk, coconut milk, and almond milk
  • Vegetable oils

Ok, so no meat, no chicken, and no fish. I have often watched Brown go to great lengths to make mushrooms, jackfruit, and chickpeas taste like meat or fish. Yes, I am a big fan of hers and wouldn’t mind trying some of her recipes, but I’m not ready to be a vegan. She says changing her diet has relieved her of constant headaches. I hope Target will restock her items. What I tried was very good. Next, let’s talk about vegan leather.

Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com

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