4 Types of Vegans - Who are the True Vegans?

Are there really different types of vegans?

Depends on who you ask. Ethical vegans, like me, will often say that veganism is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. So, the only true vegans are the ones who live the lifestyle.

That said, there are plenty of other people that will refer to themselves as vegan or plant-based and their reasons for following a vegan diet will vary.

Types of Vegans

So, here's an overview of the different types of vegans out there. For purposes of this article, I'm strictly referring to anyone who abstains from consuming animal products.

Ethical Vegans

Ethical Vegan = Vegans who give a sh*t about the animals.

Ethical Vegans are true vegans who have chosen a vegan lifestyle, and are firmly against animal-cruelty of any kind. This type of vegan doesn't want their life to involve exploiting animals in any way. About one third of people who choose to go vegan, do it for the animals, including me.

Animals are sentient beings that have a right to live. Ethical vegans believe that killing them is wrong and make no distinction between harming or killing dogs, cats, pigs, cows, or fish.

Furthermore, ethical vegans not only abstain from eating animals, but also from using any animal products. That would include leather, silk, wool, honey, and anything else that might come form an animal.

Health Vegans

Health Vegan = they give a sh*t about their body and health.

Simon Winch, the CEO of Veganuary, said, "health is now the second biggest driver for so many people going vegan". After ethical vegans, health vegans are the most common type of vegans.

Thanks to documentaries like the Game Changers and increased awareness of the connection between diet and disease, more and more people are choosing veganism for their health.

A study carried out by medical test company Medichecks showed a vegan diet could help cut the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People involved in the research who went vegan had lower than average blood glucose levels and lower levels of unhealthy cholesterol.

Environmental Vegans

Environmental Vegan = vegans who give a sh*t about the planet.

Another type of vegans are environmental vegans. These individuals go vegan as a way of living a greener lifestyle in a bid to do their part for the planet.

Environmental vegans adopt a vegan diet to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize their contribution to deforestation, and reduce pollution by not supporting animal agriculture.

And for good reason. Animal agriculture is accountable for more greenhouse gases than all the world's transportation systems?

Religious Vegans

Religious Vegan = they give a sh*t about animals for spiritual reasons.

Very few people are vegan for religion. There are a handful of religions that are against any kind of violence.

Jainism, for example, is a religion where its followers traditionally would consume a strict vegan diet. Followers of this ancient Indian religion abhor all violent activity. That said, most modern day Jains consume diary products.

In Thailand, Jainism is widespread and there is even an annual vegetarian festival. Despite the name, this is a weeklong festival full of strictly vegan food!

Additionally, some, yet not all, Buddhists and Hindus observe a vegan diet due to religion.

Types of Vegans Wrap-up

I hope this guide to types of vegans has helped you understand the world of veganism better.

What about you? Are you vegan for reasons not covered in this article? I'd love to hear from you if so. Feel free to reach out and let me know!