Curious about veganism, or interested in giving it a try? You've come to the right place. There are so many good resources on veganism out there, but we've compiled a few important ones below. Or, for a quick and simple explanation, scroll down to the infographic.

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What is veganism? The Vegan Society offers a full definition (click the link for even more details), but basically, it means not consuming, using, or supporting any animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, leather, wool, zoos, circuses, etc.

"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

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Why should I go vegan? By going vegan, you will help...

-- End animal exploitation and cruelty

-- Save our planet and halt global warming

-- Conserve water, rainforests, and other natural resources

-- End global hunger and promote social justice and nonviolence

-- Improve your health

-- Save your money

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What foods are vegan? You may be surprised by how many of your favorite foods are already vegan! And for traditionally non-vegan foods, there are ALWAYS alternatives (seriously, name a food and there's a vegan version out there -- just google it). The list below is by no means comprehensive, but it'll give you the general idea:

• All fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes (beans, lentils, soy, etc.), nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils

• Most breads, pastas, tomato or oil-based sauces, pretzels, hummus, cereals

• Many chips, crackers, salads, smoothies

• Some baked goods, canned soups, frozen meals, granolas, granola/protein bars, chocolate, candy, oatmeals

• Animal product substitutes such as nondairy milks/cheeses/butters/yogurts/ice creams/etc., fake meat/fish (usually made with soy, wheat, or pea protein), egg substitutes, and even gelatin-free marshmallows

• "Accidentally vegan" foods such as Oreos, Kraft creamy Italian salad dressing, Pillsbury original crescent rolls, Duncan Hines chewy fudge brownie mix, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers, and much more!

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A few of the most common easy vegan meals include spaghetti with red sauce, PB&Js and other sandwiches, bean burritos/tacos, stir-frys, baked potatoes, bean chilis, avocado toast, smoothies... the list could go on.

 

How do I get started? First of all, if you have any questions or would like support, please don't hesistate to reach out! You can use the form on our homepage, send us an email (uaveggiecats@gmail.com), or connect with us on Instagram (@uaveggiecats). We're here to help!

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If you'd like to look into some resources on your own, here are some that we suggest:

• Nutrition: Everyone's body and health is unique, but click here for some general details on vegan nutrition.

• Recipes: Here are some submitted by our club members, here's some great vegan Instagram bloggers, and here's a list from Spoon University.

• Eating out: For anywhere in the world, check out the Happy Cow website or app. If you're on or near UA campus, click here to see our guide to eating vegan at the UA!

• Documentaries for inspiration: Here's a list of some of the best.

• Pinching pennies: Here's an infographic showing why veganism isn't reserved for the rich, and here's some practical tips.

• Cosmetics and toiletries: Check out this database of which companies do and don't test on animals.

• The whole schabang: Many different organizations and bloggers such as PETA, TryVeg, The Glowing Fridge, and The Green Loot have compiled comprehensive lists of resouces. CLick on each one to check them out!

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In a nutshell, we also created the infographic below. Again, if you have any questions or would like to connect with our club, please reach out!

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