Whats your title, arian or ism?

Veganuary is almost over and plant based diets are on the rise.

More and more people are becoming increasingly aware of the foods they eat. With a huge help from celebrity and public encouragement. Via social media accounts, blogs and campaigns. Both ladies and gentlemen are making healthy conscious lifestyle changes. Perhaps you have noticed that veganism has dramatically increased in popularity right here in the UK? According to work commissioned by The Vegan Society, in partnership with Vegan Life Magazine. A report was released stating a 350% rise in the number of people identifying as vegans in the past decade. Is it presumptuous of me to say, that with a slow and steady increase like that, this fad may indeed be here to stay..

But where do we all fit into this global shift? Hopefully this blog post will help to shed light on the over-whelming terminology, and help to guide you towards the title in which you may feel comfortable identifying as. I encourage you to make your own movement if the titles below do not resonate with your journey. Read on to find out more!

My journey from meat lover to 1 year meat free.

I grew up eating Afro - Caribbean soul food. Ranging across Southern comfort dishes, Caribbean classics, traditional Guyanese, West African food and a multitude of Mexican dishes. The stews, run downs, one pots, and curries where often meat based. I loved meat. Seasoning, cooking and eating it. Never did I ever Imagine, that I would adopt a predominantly plant based diet, let alone completely forfeiting meat. But here I am celebrating my 1 year meat free! It was unintentional and not planed at all. I just happened. I noticed one week that i had not consumed meat, and I wasn't craving it either. Being as I didn't feel no kind of way I carried on leaving meat out of my shopping basket. October 2017 was the last time I consumed meat, and I haven't looked back.

I'm just a Part time Peski - Ovo Veggie…

Although most of my meals are vegan. I myself am not. I'm just a veggie enjoying vegan meals. Actually, that's a bit of a white lie. I still enjoy eating fish, and other seafood dishes. Along with other animal by products such as butter, honey, and on occasion eggs. (It's my journey,don't judge) Of course, I always try my best to purchase from local, sustainable sources. Who knows perhaps one day I'll adopt a raw vegan diet - Although I can't really see that happening, I said the exact same about giving up meat and smoking trees.

Alkaline vegetarian dish. Cooked by Momma.j.

Healthier choices - healthier you.

Are you thinking about making a healthy diet adaption, but don't know where to begin? I applaud the thought and want to help.

This new 'fad' of being health conscious has been adopted by many, both young, old, fat and thin. Not just here in the UK, this trend seems to have swept the nations on a global scale. I must say it is not the worst 'fad' to ever sweep the nations. If you are caught up in the whirlwind, and slightly over-whelmed by the terminology. Or want to begin the process, but you are not sure what you identify as. Then read on because I can help ... Whatever the reason, I hope to inspire you to make a healthy adaption to your diets. It will not only benefit you, but in turn it will have a positive effect on the planet. Good for you, good for the planet.

Adopting a plant based doesn't have to mean completely forfeiting meat.

Do you know somebody that has recently made a change? Maybe one of your family members, or friends have adopted a plant based diet, and their trying to talk you into it. Are you considering it? Perhaps you have already made some steps, recently beginning your very own journey. With or without encouragement or perhaps without truly understanding what it is you are actually embarking on? Here is where you gain clarification.

I cannot stress this enough. You don't have to adopt a full vegan diet to be health conscious. When thinking about making a change, just remember that you have the power. You are in charge, and you don't have to make this hard for yourself. If you want to give up meat that's great! But you can begin by cutting back, you don't have to go cold turkey straight away. Perhaps think about substituting one of your meat dishes for a vegetarian dish, once a week or so? Eliminating meat bit by bit by cutting down on your intake. if you eat meat 7 days a week, perhaps try eating it 4 days of the week. You can start by cutting down on pork, then red meats and then game. Forfeiting poultry, chicken and fish can be finale.

Arians, isms and the rest.

We all know Food is fuel, and in order for the human body to function at optimum we need to consume a pretty specific diet, ideally tailored for each body. But always comprising of the main essentials, I describe them as the "The basic 5 of Life "

1. Carbohydrates.

2. Vitamins.

3. Minerals.

4. Fats.

5. Protein.

I'll touch on the importance of these in another post.

Lets get down to titles.

My research has led me to identifying 11 categories, with 2 sub genres. leaving a total of 13 categories. So are you a...

1. Raw Vegan A Raw Foodie tends to eat nothing cooked, a number of people allow for their foods to be gently warmed to a low temperature. Usually no higher than body temperature.

2. Vegan A true Vegan excludes all animal products from their diets. As well as any animal by products. Including purchasing leather, suede, hides, collagen, milk, honey, ice cream and eggs.

3. Vegetarian Vegetarians follow the generic rule. Which is not to consume any meat or flesh.​ However, some will still enjoy dairy products such as milk, cheese, and eggs.

4. Ovo - Vegetatian Ovo-vegetarianism. A person whom follows a predominantly veggie diet. Enjoys eggs, but not dairy.

5. Lacto - vegetarian The diet of a Lacto-vegetarian is reverse to an Ovo-Veggie. This person is one whom follows a predominantly veggie diet, includes dairy, but leaves out eggs.

6. Pescatarian Pescatarianism is a semi vegetarian diet which includes fish and other seafoods

7. Pollotarian A diet that includes eating poultry. I.e Chicken, Duck, Goose and Turkey so on.

8. Pollo-Pescitarian. A semi vegetarian diet that includes poultry and fish. White flesh only.

9. Fruitarian. A person that consumes a balanced and nutritious diet consisting of primarily fruits, vegetable and nuts and water.

10. Carnivores. A being that eats animal flesh as a part of their staple diet. Whether its factory or farmed meats,

11. Paleotarians. This diet has been linked to the purest carnivores. Their diets consist of organic local hunted game and meats. Root veg, legumes and other organic products of the land rather than meat factory, tube fed animals.

12. Rastafarian. A devout Rastafarian would follow an ital diet. This is a unique way of natural cooking. Being cautious to avoid process foods, sugars, salts additives and oils.

13. Flexitarian. A flexible diet that is predominantly vegetarian. But willing to eat meat in social situations.

It is fair to say that we as humans adapt and make alterations and allowances based on circumstance and such. I have taken the liberty of messing around and making up some cool new names to add to the list.

Here’s what I come up with.

A) Festivarian –

A person who follows festivalism consumes a diet consisting of minimal H2O, alcohol and other narcotics. NO FOOD! I’ve come across many in my time. Usually easy to spot around festival season.

B) Herbal Veg Fruity Festavarian –

A festival goer who only consumes herbs for highs. Such as cannabis and mushrooms. May be found snacking on fruit.

C) New Age Festavarian – A new bread of festival goers who will consume copious amounts of CK, ketamine and any other narcotics that does the job. Can often be can be found eating their faces or in a K - Hole

Let me know if you have spotted any of these, or if you can relate. Also if you have any cool new names we can add to the thread. I hope you enjoyed the read. :)

Naomi Naughton.

#food #vegetables #meat #vegetarian #pescitarian #veganism