Veganism is the removal of any animal based product from your diet. This not only includes meats, milk and eggs but any animal derived byproduct such as gums, bee pollens, dyes etc.
Shopping at Flannerys will allow you to source many basic requirements needed to ensure you cover most nutrients you will be excluding by removing animal products. There are various plant-based milks available such as soy, rice, almond, millet and quinoa which can allow you to adapt your favourite recipes into vegan alternatives.
There are also vegan specific specialist products such as vegan cheese, yoghurt and meat replacements. The main consideration in a vegan diet is how you will source essential nutrients such as B12, Iron and Calcium. These two nutrients are notoriously hard to source from a vegan diet as their most absorbable forms are from blood-based animal products. It is often necessary for Vegans to supplement with these nutrients to ensure they receive enough.
There are several books stocked our stores which can give you information on becoming a Vegan. It is also important that if you are serious about this diet choice you learn to read food labels and acquire some basic nutritional knowledge.
Of all the diets that exclude animal products, veganism is the hardest to comply to. It is often entered into due to ethical and moral objections to the use of animal products in our food supply. The choice to become a vegan will also impact on how and where you source your food. For example it is unusual for restaurants to make vegan options whereas vegetarian options are easier to find.
Vegetarianism is worth considering as it excludes most animal products but does give some flexibility by allowing milk based products and other animal products that do not kill or harm the animal in their collection e.g. eggs. The inclusion of these products provides some of the essential nutrients that are excluded in the Vegan diet. The Vegetarian diet has been studied extensively and proven to be a healthy eating protocol for the prevention of many diseases.
Becoming a vegan requires knowledge and dedication. I wish you luck in your choice to become a vegan as I understand the sacrifices and knowledge required to be a healthy Vegan. It can be done but it does require dedication and perseverance until it becomes a way of life.