Veganism's Rise: A Historical Perspective On Dietary Trends

The vegan diet has become increasingly popular in recent years, but its roots are ancient and global. The concept of veganism can be traced back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies, with evidence of people choosing to avoid animal products dating back over 2,000 years.

The term veganism itself is more modern, coined in 1944 by British woodworker Donald Watson to differentiate it from vegetarianism, which typically still includes dairy products and eggs. Watson, along with five other non-dairy vegetarians, founded the Vegan Society, aiming to end the deliberate harming of animals.

Today, people choose to adopt a vegan lifestyle for a variety of reasons, including ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, and personal health benefits. With growing awareness of the benefits of veganism, it has become more mainstream, and the trend is expected to continue.

The term 'vegan' was coined in 1944

The term "vegan" was coined in 1944 by British woodworker Donald Watson, who felt that a new term was needed to differentiate between vegetarians and non-dairy vegetarians. Watson's new term was chosen to contain the first three and last two letters of "vegetarian", marking, in his words, "the beginning and end of vegetarian". The word was suggested to Watson by early members of the Vegan Society, Mr George A. Henderson and his wife Fay K. Henderson, who proposed that the society be called "Allvega" and the magazine "Allvegan".

In 1944, Watson called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians, including Elsie Shrigley, to discuss non-dairy vegetarian diets and lifestyles. Although many people at the time held similar views, these six pioneers were the first to actively found a new movement, despite opposition. Rejected words included "dairyban", "vitan", and "benevore".

The term "vegan" was first defined in 1949 by Leslie J Cross, who suggested that it meant "the principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man". This was later clarified as "to seek an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man".

The Vegan Society was founded in November 1944 and held its first meeting in early November at the Attic Club, 144 High Holborn, London. In attendance were Donald Watson, Elsie B. Shrigley, Fay K. Henderson, Alfred Hy Haffenden, Paul Spencer, and Bernard Drake, with Mme Pataleewa (Barbara Moore, a Russian-British engineer) observing. World Vegan Day is held every 1 November to mark the founding of the Society, and the Society considers November World Vegan Month.

The concept of veganism is ancient

The concept of veganism is indeed ancient, with evidence of people choosing to avoid animal products dating back over 2,000 years.

As early as 500 BCE, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species and followed a vegetarian diet. Pythagoras's followers also practised vegetarianism for religious and ethical reasons, though they took it a step further, rejecting the consumption or even touching of beans, believing that they were made of the same material as humans.

Around the same time, Siddhārtha Gautama, better known as the Buddha, discussed vegetarian diets with his followers. In addition, followers of Hinduism and Jainism advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on other animals.

In ancient China, the concept of veganism was linked to the humble diet of the poor and the rituals and rites of Chinese Pure Land Buddhism within monasteries. This concept evolved to include the exclusion of all animal by-products, such as clothing, household items, and medicinal remedies, and extended to doing no harm in thought or action towards all sentient beings, natural habitats, or ecosystems.

In ancient India, vegetarianism was linked to the Indus Valley civilisation in 3300–1300 BCE, particularly in northern and western regions. Early Indian vegetarians included philosophers such as Parshavnatha, Mahavira, Acharya Kundakunda, Umaswati, Samantabhadra, and Valluvar, as well as emperors Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka.

In the Arab world, one of the earliest known vegans was the poet al-Ma'arri (c. 973–1057), who wrote the poem "I No Longer Steal From Nature".

In Europe, the idea of veganism began to take shape in the 19th century, with Dr William Lambe and Percy Bysshe Shelley being among the first Europeans to publicly object to eggs and dairy on ethical grounds.

Veganism is a social justice movement

Veganism has become increasingly popular in recent years, but the concept is not new. The term "veganism" was coined in 1944 by British woodworker Donald Watson, but the practice of avoiding animal products can be traced back over 2,000 years. Various ancient societies, including Indian and eastern Mediterranean cultures, had followers who chose to avoid consuming animal products.

Veganism can be seen as a social justice movement, as it seeks to address and eliminate speciesism, which is the unfair and unjust treatment of animals based on the belief that humans are superior. This form of resistance is connected to other social justice movements, such as the fight against racism and sexism. If people are outraged by the abuse of cats and dogs, they should also be outraged by the daily abuse, suffering, and killing of farm animals for food.

The argument for veganism as a social justice movement also extends to the impact of animal agriculture on the environment and human health. About half of the world's grain and three-quarters of major crops in the US are fed to livestock, while one billion people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, industrial animal farming operations are often brutal for the animals and dangerous for the workers, who are often low-paid, hyper-exploited immigrants.

Veganism as a social justice movement also intersects with anti-racism and decolonization efforts. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have led the movement for a more radical veganism that recognizes the historical and cultural practices of veganism within their communities. For example, Rastafarianism in Jamaica, formalized in the 1930s, incorporates veganism as a form of resistance to imperialism and European-American colonial culture. However, mainstream veganism has been criticized for its lack of inclusivity and its failure to acknowledge the contributions of BIPOC communities to the movement.

Furthermore, veganism as a social justice movement goes beyond diet and lifestyle choices. It encompasses a range of lifestyle alternatives, including clothes, entertainment, household products, cosmetics, and hobbies. By making conscious choices in these areas, individuals can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world, promoting the development and use of animal-free alternatives that benefit humans, animals, and the environment.

The vegan diet became mainstream in the 2010s

The Economist declared 2019 "the year of the vegan," reflecting the growing popularity of plant-based diets. Chain restaurants began offering vegan options, and supermarkets expanded their selection of vegan processed foods. The global mock-meat market and plant-based milk industry experienced significant growth during this time.

The rise of veganism in the 2010s was also influenced by social media platforms like Instagram, which played a significant role in promoting veganism and creating a sense of community among vegans worldwide. Additionally, influential figures like actor Joaquin Phoenix further amplified the movement, such as through his speech at the 2020 Oscars about the harms of the dairy industry.

The increasing popularity of veganism in the 2010s also had a global impact, with Europe's first vegan supermarkets opening in Germany in 2011 and the rise of veganism in countries like Hong Kong, China, and India. By 2016, Asia Pacific had the largest share of vegan consumers globally, with 9% of people following a vegan diet.

The vegan movement's growth during this time can also be attributed to the availability of more vegan alternatives, such as plant-based meats and dairy-free products, making it easier for people to adopt and maintain a vegan lifestyle. This, coupled with growing ethical and environmental concerns, contributed to the mainstreaming of veganism in the 2010s.

Veganism is growing exponentially worldwide

Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, be it for food, clothing, or any other purpose. The concept of veganism is ancient, but the term itself is relatively modern, having been coined in 1944 by British woodworker Donald Watson. Since then, veganism has grown exponentially worldwide, with an increasing number of people choosing to adopt this lifestyle for ethical, environmental, and health reasons.

Veganism traces its roots back to ancient Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies. Evidence of people choosing to avoid the consumption and use of animal products can be found over 2,000 years ago. As early as 500 BCE, Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras promoted benevolence among all species and followed a vegetarian diet. Around the same time, Siddhārtha Gautama, better known as the Buddha, also discussed vegetarian diets with his followers. Followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism advocated vegetarianism, believing that humans should not inflict pain on animals.

The earliest concepts of veganism began to take shape in the 19th century, with Dr. William Lambe and Percy Bysshe Shelley being among the first Europeans to publicly object to the consumption of eggs and dairy on ethical grounds. In 1847, the first vegetarian society was formed in England, and in 1908, the International Vegetarian Society was founded.

In November 1944, Donald Watson called a meeting with five other non-dairy vegetarians to discuss their diets and lifestyles. They felt that a new term was needed to describe their way of living, something more concise than "non-dairy vegetarians". They considered various labels like "dairyban", "vitan", and "benevore" before settling on "vegan". The term "vegan" was formed by combining the first three and last two letters of "vegetarian", marking what Watson described as "the beginning and end of vegetarian".

Since its inception, veganism has grown exponentially worldwide. In the 2010s, interest in veganism increased significantly, with chain restaurants beginning to mark vegan items on their menus and supermarkets improving their selection of vegan-processed food. The global mock-meat market increased by 18% between 2005 and 2010, and veganism continued to gain traction in the latter half of the decade. The Economist even declared 2019 "the year of the vegan".

The growth of veganism is evident in the increasing number of vegan consumers globally. As of 2016, the largest share of vegan consumers resided in the Asia Pacific region, with 9% of people following a vegan diet. Veganism has also risen in popularity in Hong Kong, China, and the United Arab Emirates, with China's vegan market expected to grow by more than 17% between 2015 and 2020.

The rise of veganism can be attributed to various factors. Many people choose to adopt a vegan lifestyle due to ethical concerns, aiming to reduce animal suffering and deaths. Environmental considerations are also significant, with individuals recognizing the impact of animal agriculture on climate change, water pollution, and deforestation. Additionally, health benefits play a role, as vegan diets are often associated with improved health outcomes and reduced risk of certain diseases.

The exponential growth of veganism worldwide has led to a greater variety of vegan options and products. Supermarkets and restaurants now offer an array of vegan-processed foods, mock meats, and plant-based alternatives to dairy and eggs. The development of these alternatives has been driven by consumer demand and a growing awareness of the impact of animal agriculture on the planet.

Veganism's growth has also been facilitated by social media platforms like Instagram, which have played a prominent role in promoting this lifestyle. Influencers, activists, and everyday people share their vegan journeys, recipes, and information, creating a global community that supports and inspires one another.

As veganism continues to gain momentum, it is becoming increasingly mainstream. Celebrities, activists, and everyday people are embracing this lifestyle, and businesses are responding to the growing demand for vegan options. The future of veganism looks promising, as more people recognize the benefits of this lifestyle for animals, the planet, and their own health.

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