Veganism Is More Than What We Eat

I have said it before and I will most definitely say it many, many more times.

Veganism is more than what we eat.

While plant-based eating gets the most attention, a comprehensive and effective vegan lifestyle is about living in a way that seeks to avoid harm to animals in all areas of life.

Starting your vegan journey usually starts for most of us by swapping out meat and dairy, but it is important to acknowledge that compassionate living goes well beyond what is on our plates.

Keep reading the full blog post below.

---

It might not always seem easy or straightforward. We live in a deeply non-vegan world, so finding alternatives can sometimes feel overwhelming or just out of reach. But the key here is intention and awareness. Making choices that align with our values, even when they are not perfect, still matters. Every step taken in the direction of compassion adds up.

So what does being kinder look like when we step out of the kitchen?

Veganism touches so many parts of life and we are fortunate these days to have more access to alternatives than ever before. It means skipping the leather boots in favour of some vegan Docs, or choosing cruelty-free cosmetics over big-name brands that still test on animals.

For many of us, it also means being conscious of the media we consume and the companies we support with our money. Choosing to live vegan is political and personal all at once, and it is about more than just dinner.

Here are just a few things outside of food that people often consider when living a vegan life:

• Clothing made from animal products such as wool, leather, silk or down
• Personal care and household products tested on animals
• Entertainment that exploits animals like circuses, zoos or marine parks
• Supplements containing animal derivatives
• Financial investments that profit from animal use or exploitation
• Events and gatherings where animal products are heavily promoted
• Language that reinforces speciesism or treats animals as lesser beings

Encouraging ourselves and others to think more deeply about the everyday choices we make is how we start to shift culture. Veganism is not a checklist. It is a practice of care, of reflection and of commitment to doing better when we know better.

For more inspiration on how to go vegan more comprehensively, take a look at the Lifestyle section of the Viva! website.

---

You can order my book ‘Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t’ online now. It has been out a while now but is still a good read. You can also listen to the Audiobook read by me!

You can watch/stream my weekly podcast Tell Me Where I’m Going (Wrong) on YouTube and Spotify.

Follow me on Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, and Blue Sky.