Vegetarianism Veganism

Vegetarianism — avoiding meat — has ancient roots in India (Jain ahimsa, Hindu respect for life, Buddhist compassion) and classical Greece (Pythagoras advocated it; his followers were called 'Pythagoreans' before the word 'vegetarian' was coined in 1847). Today approximately 1.5 billion people follow vegetarian or vegan diets globally — driven by animal welfare concerns, environmental impact (meat production contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions), and health considerations. Veganism (avoiding all animal products — meat, dairy, eggs, honey, leather) emerged as a distinct movement in the UK in 1944. The EAT-Lancet Commission (2019) proposed the 'planetary health diet' — primarily plant-based with minimal animal products — as both the healthiest diet for humans and the most sustainable for the planet. Plant-based meat alternatives (Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods) and cultivated meat (grown from animal cells without slaughter) are the fastest-growing food technology sectors.