[Eclipse]

Ok I'm the kind of person who mostly avoids dairy and eggs. I have a feeling there's more people like me out there. I know there's some people like that on here.

I'm so convinced we need our own term because we don't really fit the vegan or vegetarian term, I've seen veganish used but...I don't like that.

I've tended to go with semi- vegan so far.

So I never buy any dairy or eggs, but then I sometimes eat things that have small amounts of dairy or eggs in them. Other people call me a vegan, but I hesitate to do so out of respect of not ruining the term like the fish and chicken eating "vegetarians" have done. In my mind, sometimes or small amounts is just not being being a real vegan, just as if you sometimes eat fish or chicken even in small amounts, you are not vegetarian.

Calling myself a vegetarian is akward,though it fits technically because I do basically avoid dairy and eggs. It becomes confusing for other people if I call myself that...because then things like scrambled eggs would be just fine for me.

 

[Tom]

I usually call myself "mostly vegan". I haven't given up on becoming fully vegan, but I'm not quite there yet and don't call myself "vegan" yet- partly out of deference to those who really toe the line, and partly because of what you mentioned- "vegan" should mean something.

 

[Jessica Alana]

If anyone asks, I'm vegetarian.

I actually just had this happen yesterday. Someone told someone else I was vegetarian. Then she said "Are you vegan?" I said "No, but I avoid eggs and dairy." Shes like "So you don't go out of your way to eat them, but if they're there, you'll eat them?" I said "No, I avoid them. I don't eat them if I know they're in the food. I just don't ask about trace ingredients at a restaurant or anything like that. Plus, some of my hair/skin care products aren't vegan." She's like "Oh. Ok." Since I knew her, I explained more than I would to anyone else.

There are so many levels, it's hard to have a term for all of them. I just stick with vegetarian. Then if they ask "So you eat dairy and eggs?" I just say "No." If someone is genuinely curious, I may humor them with a more detailed response. Otherwise, they're my eating habits and I don't explain 'em to anyone.

 

[Iria]

Flexigan.

 

[Diana]

"OccasionalVegan"

"VeganExceptWhenI'mNot"

"MostlyVegan"

"OvoLactoVeganSometimes"

 

[Melanie]

Wouldn't that be strict vegetarian?

 

[Jessica Alana]

That's another one of those controversial terms. To me a strict vegetarian is someone who follows a vegan diet, but isn't vegan (doesn't follow the lifestyle that is part of veganism.)

 

[meatless]

To some people strict vegetarian means someone who is so strict with their vegetarianism that they only eat fish occasionally!!11

 

[jeezycreezy]

Virgan?

Vegan Lite?

Vegetarian?

Why can't you just use your words to describe your dietary preferences?

The terms vegan and vegetarian are already grossly misunderstood by some many. And even vegans can't seem to decide on what makes a vegan vegan. I don't think another label is going to clear anything up for anybody.

 

[Azalea]

I say that I am a vegetarian who mostly avoids eggs & dairy. Works for me

 

[savvyidler]

I completely agree with JA. If lacto and ovo specify the consumption of milk and eggs, I'm comfortable just calling myself a vegetarian. To me, vegan is for those that eschew all forms of animal exploitation, it's more than just a dietary issue.

 

[Ravenfire]

I did the same thing when I was transitioning to veganism. So that's what I told people, that I was making a transition to being vegan but wasn't there yet. Of course this may not fit if you never plan to be fully vegan but if you're just in your transition phase it works really well.

 

[WonderRandy]

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/s...light=schmegan

 

[Medesha]

Yep, I say, "Vegetarian, and I don't eat eggs or dairy." If I care to, and the situation warrants, I explain further.

Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I say "vegan," but I don't like to. To me, vegan is a philosophy and a mindset I don't emulate, and it makes me seem like a poseur to say I'm vegan.

 

[Kiz]

What's wrong with vegetarian? Vegans are vegetarians too. The terms are not mutually exclusive, one is subset of the other.

 

[Eclipse]

I think if it was more practical, I'd be completly vegan. So if the world around me changes, I'll go along for the ride.

There's dairy and egg products in so many things including many vegetarian products, then there's visiting situations and going out to eat. Luckily being vegetarian is now rarely a problem, but being vegan is unless you isolate yourself socially and or starve yourself in certain circumstances I've found.

 

[codemonkey]

I'm just going with vegetarian. I'm too lazy to be vegan. I don't interrogate waiters and I'll eat cheese very rarely (I have no willpower). I've found that eggs are very difficult to avoid if you eat out a lot.

 

[Jessikah]

I just say I am a strict vegetarian, and I do not eat eggs or dairy.

Like the author of this thread, I avoid eating and cooking with eggs and dairy at home, but I am out and a meal has traces I will eat it.

I just don't want to be served a pile of scrambled eggs, eww.

 

[codemonkey]

I used to love scrambled eggs and now I can't remember why. It seems so icky to me now.

Scrambled tofu totally rocks though.

 

[Katt Fink]

Even though I'm not technically vegan, I'll usually just say I am when someone asks or when ordering food. It's easier just to cheat a bit and call myself vegan than to explain to everyone: "I am a very strict vegetarian who avoids mostly all animal products and animal-derived ingredients in food, clothing, household and personal products and every other aspect of my life, except if there's honey or beeswax in something that I really, reeeeeally want/need, then I'll let it slide. Oh, also I don't worry too much about it if an important medicine my doctor has prescribed for me is coated in gelatin."

Whew! Know what I mean?