The Different Types of Vegans

There are many different reasons why someone might go vegan. Some do it for the animals, some do it for their health or the environment. In this post, I will explain the different types of vegans, and what is usually most important to them!

1. The Healthy Vegan

Health vegans are vegans who decide to stop eating animal products for health reasons (hence the name!). There are branches of this kind of vegan though. They may have done research and realized that eating a plant-based diet is much healthier than the standard American diet. They may also be very focused on their appearance and the state of their body. Many of these vegans are also fitness lovers who are obsessed with eating lots of veggies and maintaining the best health possible. 

2. The Environmental Vegan

In recent times, many people have turned vegan for health reasons. We are all aware of the effects of animal agriculture on our environment, and that it is the leading cause of climate change, ocean dead zones, and species extinction. This kind of vegan's main concern is the environment and doing everything we can to lower our carbon footprints and prevent wildlife extinction. If we don't take care of our planet, we won't have one to live on, "Animal agriculture puts a heavy strain on many of the Earth's finite land, water, and energy resources. In order to accommodate the 70 billion animals raised annually for human consumption, a third of the planet's ice-free land surface, as well as nearly sixty percent of global freshwater, is devoted to growing livestock" (source)

3. Human Rights Vegan

This is probably the least talked about vegan because many people are not aware of what it actually means. A human rights vegan is someone who doesn't consume animal products due to the awful conditions it puts humans in. Slaughterhouse jobs are one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, and many people who work there suffer greatly. Most slaughterhouse workers are immigrants. Not only do workers suffer from PTSD from seeing the brutal annihilation of animals, but also leave with physical injuries as well, such as "musculoskeletal disorders, MSDs, an array of injuries to workers muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that cause sprains, strains, or inflammation"(source Lowe 5). They also barely make any money to provide for their family, with wages as low as 11 dollars an hour, and long workdays.

4. The Ethical Vegan (may also be called the junk food vegan)

One of the most popular reasons why people go vegan is for animals. Whether they saw documentaries such as Earthlings, Forks Over Knives, or What The Health, they cannot continue to eat the animals due to seeing the horrible treatment animals face. Animals face castration with no pain medications, are separated from their mothers too soon, and are given no time outside to feel the fresh air. Once people realize where their food comes from, they don't want to be part of that anymore. Many people also visit farm sanctuaries where they can interact with animals they once ate, and see that they are loving creatures just like their precious pets at home.

As you can see, there are different reasons why people go vegan. One isn't more important than the other, because they all have a great impact on animals, our planet, and health. I fall under the ethical vegan, but I 100% support the other reasons too.

If you're a vegan or vegetarian, which category do you fall under? Comment below!