8 Friday, March 10, 2023brooklintowncrier.com Sometimes I say I'm vegan because I think it's easier for people to understand my eating choices. Yet invariably, I get asked questions like: Do you eat fish? You don't eat honey? Are eggs vegan? Does that mean you are Gluten free? It can't be easy to understand what veganism is. So here's an explanation of the different categories: vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian. Vegan Most people who say they're vegan mean they don't eat any products from the death of animals. Vegans also don't wear leather or use products tested on animals. This could include cosmetics, alcohol and cleaning products. It's hard to avoid things coming in contact with animal products. For example, the flu virus is grown in the yoke of fertilized hen's eggs when it's being made. So, non-vegan to some. It takes effort and research to be entirely vegan. Within the vegan community, there are levels of veganism. People can decide what they are or aren't comfortable using. For example, wines are generally not vegan as animal products are used during filtration. Often glue made from animal products is used in non-leather shoes, which means they are not vegan. More and more these days, you'll see the vegan label on products, which makes it easier to choose. That said, last year, a large health food company released a soup product that claimed it was vegan but had dairy in it. Plant-based Some vegans identify as plant-based, which means they eat a plant-based diet only. They may, however, still buy leather products and use those tested on animals. Going deeper, as in whole food plant-based, means they don't eat processed foods. So no Oreo Cookies, take-out veggie burgers or fake cheese. They also avoid oil which for them is considered processed. You can eat the olive but not use the oil. Vegetarians They eat a broader spectrum of foods that include honey, dairy and eggs. They don't eat fish (although some people claim to be vegetarians and eat fish). They often say they don't eat anything that has a face or died. Nothing dies with producing eggs, dairy or honey. However, there are questions about the treatment of animals on factory farms. I recently heard a woman say she only ate eggs from "happy hens," which are free-range hens on small farms. I know people who are vegan at home and vegetarian when they travel, as it's easier to eat when your food choices are not as limited. But gluten… Gluten is a protein in wheat and has nothing to do with being vegan. It's commonly used in vegan meat substitutes. Celiac disease is a severe issue that means the person shouldn't eat Gluten. Being vegan and having a gluten intolerance or celiac disease makes food choices even harder. It's no wonder my non-vegan friends sometimes re-ask what I eat and don't eat. Sheree's Hack: Be patient and kind with everyone. We may eat differently, but we are one community of people. What is a vegan? Plant-Based Eating by Sheree Nicholson