Vegetarianism, A Way Of Life

Vegetarianism is an increasingly common way of life ; in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of practitioners. Although it is a familiar term, we ask ourselves: what does it really mean?

According to the IVU (International Vegetarian Union), vegetarianism consists of following a diet based on foods derived from vegetables, with different types, depending on the inclusion or exclusion of milk and dairy products, eggs and/or honey.

The definition of this current is based on the foods we eat, as it comes from dietary changes made by people who decide to be vegetarians. Now what are the beliefs and principles that motivate this decision?

According to IVU, vegetarianism is not just a diet, but a lifestyle. In this article, we’ll talk about that.

How does vegetarianism arise?

The concepts vegetarianism and vegetarian appeared in the United Kingdom in 1887 with the first vegetarian association in the world, the “Vegetarian Society”. Until that time, the term “vegetable diet” was used to refer to those who consumed exclusively plant-derived foods.

Later, associations emerged in other countries (Germany, Netherlands) based on the same principles as the Vegetarian Society. In 1908, the International Vegetarian Union was created, a non-profit organization that aims to promote vegetarianism.

Modalities of vegetarianism

According to the International Vegetarian Union (IVU), there are different modalities that are part of vegetarianism, depending on the type of diet followed.

In this sense, there is a differentiation between the consumption of eggs (ovovegetarian), dairy products (lactovegetarian) or both (ovolactovegetarian). Likewise, there is a distinction when the diet excludes any animal-derived food (honey, milk, cheese, eggs…); in this case, we are talking about vegans.

motivating principles

We point out some of the motivating principles of the people who have joined this movement:

• Health : This motivating principle considers that healthy and organic food is based on vegetables. They exclude meat from the menu, as they do not consider it an essential food.
• Ecological reasons : this principle points to the extensive and intensive forms of animal husbandry as some of the main causes of the planet’s degradation. It is based on data, such as an FAO study, which states that the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gases than the transport sector. Therefore, he would be one of the main drivers of global warming.

• Religion : Some religions promote vegetarianism as a way of life. An example of this is the Hindu religion, which states that the cow is a sacred animal and worthy of veneration. Therefore, it could not be used for human consumption purposes.
• Ethics : the vegetarian diet, for ethical reasons, is related to the defense of animal rights, as its practitioners consider the death of the animal unethical. They also condemn their mistreatment and exploitation for the sole purpose of producing products for human consumption (food, objects, clothing…). They advocate a life and death worthy of all animals.

Vegetarianism, a lifestyle?

To conclude, if we take into account the motivating principles mentioned above, we can say that the vegetarian diet cannot be considered only in terms of nutrition, but also constitutes a whole that can be understood as an attitude and a lifestyle.

It is possible – and also likely – that a vegetarian will reject other ways of using animals to produce consumer goods.

Likewise, vegetarians are likely not to be in favor of doing certain activities or going to certain places.

For example, going to a restaurant where the menu is exclusively carnivorous, a rodeo or bullfight, circuses and tourist activities with animals, or any celebration in which an animal is the protagonist.