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The first time I saw the name banner for Vegan Mainstream, I thought, “Of course!”
Vegan being mainstream. Wouldn’t that make all of our lives a whole lot easier? Embracing the term ‘vegan’ and clarifying it via mainstream work is important, and a better choice than distancing oneself from the term.
Why, then, these other ‘labels’. Plant-based. Plant-strong. What gives? Is there a difference?
Vegan geneology
When Donald Watson, founder of the Vegan Society, created the term vegan in 1944, it was specifically to disassociate from vegetarians who also eat dairy and eggs.
For years many of us accepted, as lacto-vegetarians, that the flesh-food industry and the dairy produce industry were related, and that in some ways they subsidized one another. We accepted, therefore, that the case on ethical grounds for the disuse of these foods was exceptionally strong, and we hoped that sooner or later a crisis in our conscience would set us free.
The unquestionable cruelty associated with the production of dairy produce has made it clear that lactovegetarianism is but a half-way house between flesh-eating and a truly humane, civilized diet, and we think, therefore, that during our life on earth we should try to evolve sufficiently to make the ‘full journey’.
~ Donald Watson
‘Vegan’ thus became the label for a diet excluding animal products. This is explained in full by Watson in the first edition of the Vegan News, November, 1944.
Does vegan = healthy?
When it comes to healthy, however, ‘vegan’ is not necessarily sufficient, and was not implied in the original coin of the word. This is where a differentiation within the label of ‘vegan’ becomes important.
Let’s look at some of the new kids on the block:
Plant-based diet: The word “based’ means the majority of calories in the diet coming from what is forming that base, in this case, plants as opposed to animals. Many who call themselves plant-based are also vegan, or following a vegan diet, yet it bring emphasis to plants over pastries, fruits over french fries and collards instead of coke. A healthier diet is insinuated.
At the same time, plant-based does not necessarily literally exclude animal products, though it would certainly limit them because the addition of meat, fish, poultry, or dairy immediately brings a caloric load into the equation that would override the energy equation.
Where does plant-strong fit in?
Here’s my definition of plant-strong: Strength, health, fitness, and physical vitality on an all-plant diet. That is, plants and their fruits, their seeds, their berries, their roots. Whole, processed-to-a-minimum in a way that delivers that health. The vegan without the junk food.
This is where I have found the best label blend between what I DO eat and what I DON’T eat and what I teach and coach as an optimal diet for health and wellness.
I guess I could have called it, instead of a “plant-strong diet”, a “plant diet”. Adding “strong” adds drive and energy. Kind of sexes it up. Gives it a certain je ne sais quoi.
Show me the plants!
What are your thoughts about these labels? Where does your diet fit in? Any labels you like that you think I should know about? Please share your thoughts in comments below.
Lani Muelrath, M.A., the Plant-strong fitness expert
Lani Muelrath, M.A. is Vegan Mainstream’s Health & Fitness Expert. Watch for regular articles from Lani on how to be a strong, healthy, fit vegan. Articles, videos, and more from Lani at http://www.lanimuelrath.com/
Lani is also “The Plant-Strong Fitness Expert” of http://www.lanimuelrath.comand creator of The Body Transformation Formula and Fit Quickies™. She has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and over 30 years of experience as a teacher, coach, and trainer. She has received awards for her instruction, created and starred in her own CBS TV Show, and her expertise in the area of health and fitness is called upon by examiner.com, Dr. John McDougall’s Health and Medical Center and Dr. Neal Barnard’s 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program. She is Certified in Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through Cornell University.
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