Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and is an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows this diet or philosophy is known as a vegan. Distinctions may be made between several categories of veganism. Dietary vegans, also known as strict vegetarians, refrain from consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal-derived substances. An ethical vegan is someone who not only follows a plant-based diet but extends the philosophy into other areas of their lives, opposes the use of animals for any purpose, and tries to avoid any cruelty and exploitation of all animals including humans. Another term is environmental veganism, which refers to the avoidance of animal products on the premise that the industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable.

Well-planned vegan diets are regarded as appropriate for all stages of life, including infancy and pregnancy. There is inconsistent evidence for vegan diets provide a protective effect against metabolic syndrome; with some evidence suggesting that a vegan diet can help with weight loss, especially in the short term. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fibre, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and phytochemicals, and lower in dietary energy, saturated fat, cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acid, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12. A poorly-planned vegan diet may lead to nutritional deficiencies that nullify any beneficial effects and may cause serious health issues, some of which can only be prevented with fortified foods or dietary supplements.  Vitamin B12 supplementation is important because its deficiency can cause blood disorders and potentially irreversible neurological damage; this danger is also one of the most common in poorly-planned non-vegan diets. The word vegan was coined by Donald Watson and his then-future wife Dorothy Morgan in 1944. Interest in veganism increased significantly in the 2010s.

World Vegan Day, or International Vegan Day, is celebrated in continuity with Vegetarian Awareness Month which takes place the entire month of October, which begins with World Vegetarian Day on October 1 and includes other commemorative dates involving food security, reverence for life in all species, faith-based vegetarianism and animal advocacy, and more. World Vegan Day follows Vegetarian Awareness Month in October and initiates World Vegan Month which takes place all of November.

World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated by vegans around the world every 1 November. The event was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis, then Chair of The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom, to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of the organisation and the coining of the terms vegan and veganism. Wallis decided on 01 November because while the Vegan Society was established in November, the exact date was unknown, so she decided on 01 November because it falls exactly between October 31, which is Halloween, and the Mexican Day of the Dead, which falls on November 2. Since November 1, 1994, World Vegan Day has thus provided a welcome occasion for vegans in all parts of the world to celebrate and further promote veganism with all its positive aspects.

If you are vegan, share your thoughts, and your vegan journey which is a great way to encourage more people to be vegan or treat vegan food. You can showcase the benefits and hardships of being vegan and also share delicious vegan recipes or food with others. If you are not a vegan, you can still celebrate World Vegan Day by finding out why some people choose to be vegan is a great way to start. You could also try vegan or vegetarian food options and I can assure you that they are delicious!