5 types of vegan diet: Where do you fit in?

In 2019 there were 600,000 vegans in the UK — according to The Vegan Society — and that number keeps growing, daily. With so many people leaping into a new lifestyle comes inevitable variations, but don;t get confused or overwhelmed by them all.

Here is a list of the most common vegan diet sub-categories.

Plant-Based

This vegan diet consists of avoiding all animal products, with plant foods — such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes — being the sole focus.

Fun Fact: According to Nielsen, almost 40% of Americans are trying to eat more of a plant-based diet.

Ethical Veganism

Ethical vegans not only eat a plant-based diet, but they also stay away from any products made at the expense of an animal. This includes not wearing any clothing derived from animals and not using products tested on animals. Cruelty-free production is a key consideration for ethical vegans.

Fun Fact: In January 2020, a tribunal ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and is so protected in law.

Raw Vegan Diet

Raw veganism is all about eating unprocessed, plant-based meals that are either fully raw or heated at shallow temperatures. Foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains and legumes. Maple syrup is a regularly disputed inclusion here.

Fun Fact: Woody Harrelson turned to a raw vegan diet in the 80s and has an organic farm on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

High Carb Low Fat (HCLF)

HCLF comprises of eating large quantities of carbs being fruits, vegetables and grains with minimal fat consumption. 

Fun Fact: Many people choose to turn to high carb low fat to avoid the restrictions of going raw or plant-based. 

801010 (Eighty-Ten-Ten)

This diet follows the idea that the best food should have 80% of your calories coming from carbs, 10% from protein and 10% from fats – hence the name ‘801010’. It is a low-fat, raw-food diet consisting of raw foods such as fruits, vegetables, soft greens, nuts, seeds, and no unprocessed foods. 

Fun Fact: 801010 became popularised over Instagram with influencers like The Raw Boy praising it on the platform.