To mark World Vegan Day, I considered veganism from the perspective of "food."

Hello! This is Ann from LOVST TOKYO.

November 1st is "World Vegan Day," a day established to raise broader awareness of the vegan lifestyle.

In this Staff Blog, we'll focus on the vegan diet and answer common questions like "How is it different from plant-based?" and "Is it the same as gluten-free or organic?"

If you've ever thought, "I might only vaguely understand what veganism is!" then this is a must-read for you.

 

What exactly is "veganism" in the first place?

The term "vegan" appears in many places these days, like on food packaging and cosmetics, but its deeper meaning is often not well understood.

Simply put, veganism is a "lifestyle that encompasses an ethical stance beyond just food," based on the idea that "animals should not be exploited."

(We discuss the definition of the term and its difference from "strict vegetarianism" in detail in this article, so if you're interested, please take a look!)

Consequently, stemming from this philosophy, products that do not use animal-derived ingredients, such as food, daily necessities, and fashion items, are commonly understood as "vegan products."

 

What do vegans eat?

People who live a vegan lifestyle, based on vegan principles, do not eat "animal-derived foods" such as meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, or honey.

In that respect, it's often discussed alongside vegetarianism and pescatarianism.

While some might think, "So, do vegans only eat salads every day?", that's a big misconception.

In reality, many lead rich diets combining beans, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

Furthermore, as seen at the "Vegan Gourmet Festival" where LOVST TOKYO often exhibits, vegan menus like burgers and ramen, which look and taste just like their animal-based counterparts, are being developed one after another.

Of course, in addition to such specialized menus, there are many familiar ingredients like natto and tofu that do not use animal-derived ingredients, making it possible to start with surprisingly accessible foods.

What's the difference from plant-based?

A term often confused here is "plant-based." Plant-based literally means "derived from plants," and it does not include the ethical perspective of "animals should not be exploited."

In other words, a "plant-based diet" refers to a diet primarily composed of plant-based foods for various reasons, such as health or environmental concerns.

Veganism is distinguished by its underlying stance that "animals should not be exploited" in all aspects of life, not just food. However, there's a significant commonality in that both do not use animal products!

 

Is it the same as gluten-free or organic?

This is also a common question, but vegan does not equal gluten-free. Gluten derived from wheat is plant-based, so it can certainly be included in a vegan diet.

Also, organic does not equal vegan. Organic refers to farming methods that do not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers, so it has no relation to whether something is animal-derived. For example, "organic milk" is organic, but it is not vegan.

So why are these often seen as being in the same category?

Perhaps vegan and plant-based foods themselves have a healthy image, and they might appear very similar to gluten-free and organic foods, which also have a healthy image!

 

Animal-free choices, also in fashion

To mark "World Vegan Day," we've focused on the keyword "vegan" this time, but LOVST TOKYO creates vegan leather items because we want to "increase animal-free options in fashion."

We believe that by accumulating small positive choices in our daily lives, both in food and fashion, we can eventually bring about significant change.

For a better future, we want to support everyone who is taking a step forward, so they can enjoy fashion in their own style without having to compromise.

LOVST TOKYO will continue to be a brand close to those who care about animals and the Earth.