Vegan

Vegan describes a purely plant-based way of life without any animal products. Veganism has its roots in the founding of the Vegan Society in 1944 by Donald Watson. The movement promotes a plant-based diet and the development of alternatives to animal-derived raw materials, and is based on the principle of minimising suffering rather than on a dogma of "purity".

Basic principles and distinctions

Ethical reasons are often the central motivation for avoiding animal suffering; philosophers such as Peter Singer have shaped this debate. Vegans consume no animal products whatsoever, whereas vegetarians avoid meat but often eat dairy products, eggs and honey. In 2020, around 1.1 million people in Germany lived vegan; by 2023 the figure was around 3% of the population.

Critical nutrients

A well-planned vegan diet can meet all nutritional needs, but requires deliberate choices:

• Vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements
• Iron from pulses, nuts, wholegrains and green vegetables
• Protein (approx. 0.8–1 g per kg of body weight) from rice, lentils, beans and nuts
• Omega-3 from rapeseed, linseed and walnut oil
• Iodine from algae or other safe sources

Careful planning is particularly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Environmental awareness

Studies show that a vegan diet can reduce greenhouse gases by 50 to 73% and agricultural emissions by 76%. Avoiding animal products reduces land requirements and enables land to be returned to nature. egora offers a wide range of vegan catering options with bespoke menu design and expert advice.