The 5 Types of Veganism

Veganism has exploded in popularity over the past 10 years. This has resulted in an increasing number of people opting into this plant-based lifestyle. With 6% of USA citizens now labelling themselves as vegans, it can make you wonder if all are the same. Let’s take a closer look and break down the different types of vegans you may encounter.

Dietary Vegans do not consume animal or animal by-products, but may wear leather or purchase other items that contain animal products. This is because they seek out a vegan diet for its many positive health benefits but do not necessarily subscribe to its ethical practices. Some of the reasons a Dietary Vegan may follow a vegan diet could be due to food allergies, gut health, skin conditions or food aversions.

Whole Food Vegans are health conscious and strive to achieve a well-balanced diet. They avoid processed foods and instead opt for natural and minimally processed ingredients. Typically individuals who are Whole Food Vegans are looking to improve their health through plant-based eating. Famous Athletes that follow a Whole Food Vegan diet have said it improves performance and is ideal for getting in shape. Finding a restaurant as a Whole Food Vegan though may be challenging, as many take-out dishes contain highly processed ingredients.

Junk Food Vegans love to have fun and try the latest vegan creations. Whether it is diving into a juicy vegan fast food burger or dipping Oreos into nut milk, they enjoy the ride. Junk Food Vegans are vegans because they love animals and the environment, not necessarily because they want to lose weight or get healthy. They are on top of the latest vegan food crazes and are first in line when a new vegan junk food hits the shelf or fast food restaurant opens. Junk Food Vegans break the stereotype that all vegans are health conscious and strict dieters. Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to ditch ice cream or greasy fries, and Junk Food Vegans embrace that.

Raw Food Vegans know the power of plant-based nutrition and want to get the most out of their fruits and veggies. All food they consume is raw or heated to a maximum of 104–118°F (40–48°C). Raw Food Vegans believe that heating food above 48°C destroys some or all of its nutrient value and reduces its quality. This diet can be more restricting, as many vegan foods such as rice, legumes and vegetables need to be cooked before consumption. Today in select cities you can find raw vegan restaurants and cafes serving a variety of delicious raw vegan dishes and desserts.

Fruitarians follow the most strict vegan diet. The majority of their diet consists of fresh fruit, with a small portion consisting of vegetables and healthy fats. They also follow the same heat restrictions of a Raw Food Vegan diet. Typically a Fruitarian will consume a large quantity of fruit juices, smoothies and whole fruits for breakfast and lunch. For dinner they may opt for a leafy green salad topped with a nut-based dressing. Fruitarians boast about the health benefits of their restrictive diet, while many vegans argue that fruitiasm is not ideal for a long-term vegan lifestyle.

Which type of vegan are you? Let us know in the comment section below!