There are many ways of being vegetarian. Vegans consume no animal products, ovolacteovegetarianos, besides its teeth to the plant kingdom, they do to eggs and dairy products (there is also the only version ovo or just milk), vegans also exclude meat, not consume any other animal products such as footwear and clothing, crudívoros consume only raw foods “that the fire has not destroyed” and try to approach the most natural way of eating. Surprising even hear terms like pescovegetarianos, which include fish in your diet, or flexivegetarianos, a sort of part-time vegetarians who practice this diet only on weekdays or weekends, or include a small percentage of meat in your diet. I must say that these latter options are regarded with some suspicion and irony by real militants.

The truth is that, amid all this welter, and no official figures available, there was an increase in popularity of vegetarianism in its different facets. In Britain it is estimated that 6% of the population is vegetation, and between 8% and 9% in Germany. In India, encouraged by Hinduism, goes up to 40% of the meat (in the absence of others, the data are from Wikipedia). In Spain, where only 0.5% of vegetarians, they proliferation of restaurants and shops veggies, and are becoming more visible and accepted. They are no longer rare bird.

“The partnership itself that we have noticed a growing interest, with more people come to us interested or with questions about vegetarian food,” said David Roman, Vegetarian Union. ”In recent years there has been standardized enough, people will not see us as weirdos because we are normal people of all kinds, and there is no reason to partner with the hippie as has sometimes been done, which sometimes caused some prejudice” .

The reasons for becoming vegetarian are many but mainly two: eating a healthy and ethical issues, including concern for animals or environmental impact. ”We observed two predominant profiles, young people, around 25, very committed to animal rights and, therefore, follow a vegetarian diet, a youth that is also very active and demanding. And on the other hand, women up to 40-45 years, with high educational background, which, without forgetting the ethical issues, are motivated by health issues, “says Roman. These reasons of conscience, and distrust in the food industry may be doing to grow, then, the number of vegetarians. ”The Vegetarian activity that began in Spain with naturopathic doctors before the war and the postwar period did not have the animal rights or environmental component, which were things that at that time had little meaning. These motivations have come in recent times, partly because we live in global issues, “says Roman. How does meat consumption to the planet? ”The livestock sector generates more greenhouse gases-18%, measured in equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) – the transport sector. It is also a major cause of land degradation and water resources, “according to the Organization of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In addition, vegetarians affect the high cost of producing a kilo of meat, for which you have to use much fuel, water and food could be distributed otherwise more sustainable.

The ethical component is especially present in the vegan community. Veganism is not just a food choice, but a philosophy very committed. ”It’s a lifestyle that excludes animal exploitation, far beyond food. We do not use animal products for clothing and footwear, and cosmetics tested on animals and are not going to the zoo or circus using animals. On the food are vegans, excluding milk and eggs, and of course, fish, “says Fryzt Doren, PlanetaVegano Store.

With regard to health benefits, “increases the amount of fiber in the diet and decreases the amount of saturated fat and excess consumption of animal protein. Improve digestive system and cardiovascular system, and the whole body regenerates. Just test a week and see how it feels, “says Ana Moreno, author of over 20 books and a blog about it. Is it expensive to be a vegetarian, you have to plan much food? ”It’s cheaper if you base your diet on vegetables, salads and fruits, with some seeds, legumes and cereals,” says Moreno. ”If you buy food ‘vegetarian’ that are already manufactured, then it may be more expensive, but this is not necessary. It takes longer, but more planning. We must organize. “

Still, the nutritionist Laura Pire warning about the dangers: “For the vegetarian diet is healthy, you have to be an expert. To learn how to be a vegetarian, look for the information signed and guaranteed by a nutritionist career. There are very good books, but the control has to be an expert. Not enough to teach a vegetarian eating a vegetarian. Nutrition is nutrition. “ Deficiencies, says Pire, deal with the elements that give red meat and its relationship to the health of the blood. Iron deficiency anemia can cause constant hemodynamic worsening quality of life and ultimately could be grim. Lack of vitamin B12, responsible for the proper formation of red blood cells, can cause us to have a very poor blood.

How can alleviated the negative effects? ”B12 deficiency is resolved with an injected dose from time to time, the iron supplements with pharmaceutical preparations of varying quality and effectiveness, sometimes very uncomfortable side effects,” says Pire. Nutritionist says that there are supplements of vegetable, fruit concentrates and vegetables rich in iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, all key ingredients for proper absorption, taken daily to protect against diseases that can cause deficiencies. ”They add soft, suitable for all ages and they know quite well, which is another interesting detail,” he concludes.

Is it difficult being a vegan in a world mostly omnivorous? ”Being vegan is easy, you just have to know how to plan, knowing what to exclude from the diet or customs. Socially it is more difficult, when you go out to dinner with friends omnivores are more limited, but always found something to eat. Of course, many feel challenged his ethics by eating a vegan and want to discuss. We have already heard the arguments a thousand times, so we prefer not to. If you really are interested, we can talk later, “says Doren. ”At first there is a wall that seems insurmountable. It is a challenge because usually people around family, work or friends is not vegetarian, and can turn into a fight with the world some people is traumatic, but it just happening. It’s easy, there are many alternatives, “says Roman.