Veganism Proving To Be More Than Just a Trend

by Meghan Kimberling ‘17

Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ellen DeGeneres, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, and Jennifer Lopez all have something in common other than their extravagant lifestyles in the Hollywood limelight. All of these stars are vegan. But what does it really mean to be vegan in Hollywood or in the rest of world for that matter?

The definition of the vegan lifestyle differs from person to person depending on their ethics and values. For example, someone may follow the strict dictionary definition of being a vegan and not eat or use any animal products, including not eating any types of eggs, fish, or even honey because it is made by bees. However, others may just strive to eat plant-based and be less inclined to follow the strict rules. It may sound like a dramatic change in lifestyle, but those who switch confirm that they would never go back.

The Vegan Society claims that many people go vegan for their own personal health. Vegan foods, often packed with antioxidants, can diminish chances of heart disease and diabetes. Vegans also claim that they felt and looked younger than ever before, and had increased energy in everyday life after becoming vegan.

Many people also switch to being vegan because of the ethical concerns about eating animals. The large movement against animal cruelty has encouraged many to give up animal products in a stand against animal exploitation.

Veganism is frequently showing up in pop culture. Forward-thinking schools in California have transitioned their meals to include numerous vegan choices. Metro News has introduced a list of “The 20 Best Vegan Instagram Accounts to Follow” (which cites just 20 of the hundreds of sites out there). Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s faith in the lifestyle has fueled the release of their own vegan meal delivery service and their sponsorship of a 22-day challenge aimed at getting more people to try a diet free of all animal products.

This new lifestyle fad has spread across the nation with three different vegan diet books entering Amazon’s Top 100 list. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has even named 2016 as the “Year of Vegan”. And, veganism may also have had an influential following long before; Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einstein were reportedly vegans.

If you want to be like Jay-Z or Beyoncé or if you want to look and feel your best every day, you might want to consider the vegan lifestyle. The animals—cows, pigs, fish and other animals—will be very grateful.