The Most Common Type of Vegetarian Vs Type of Vegan in Singapore.
Veganism or Meat-Free culture is spreading rapidly among Singaporeans. A survey conducted in the year 2020 shows that 7% of survey respondents identified as vegetarian or vegan- a considerably high proportion for a small country like Singapore.
One simple differentiation between a vegan and a vegetarian is this- a vegetarian does not consume meats but may consume dairy products, eggs, and animal byproducts, while a vegan does not consume any product that involves animals in its production or preparation.
The most common two types of vegetarians in Singapore is the Lacto-ovo vegetarian (奶蛋素): People who avoid meat (including seafood) but take eggs and dairy and the Lacto-vegetarian (奶素): People who avoid meat (including seafood) and eggs but take dairy. Some studies have shown that vegetarianism could reduce one’s rate of getting type 2 diabetes, support healthy weight loss, improve heart health, and even reduce one’s risk of cancer and gallstones.
In Singapore, veganism may not be as popular as vegetarian as this diet eliminates meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products, as well as other animal-derived products, such as honey. Vegans do not consume rennet, gelatin, collagen and other types of animal protein; stocks or fats derived from animals.
There is a small proportion of vegans who do not consume strong-smelling plants, specifically garlic, onion, chives, leeks, and shallots, as these vegetables are thought to increase sexual desire when eaten cooked and anger when eaten raw. This is aligned with the Buddhist diet.
No matter vegetarian or vegan, individuals adopt these diets for a purpose, be it to reduce animal cruelty, for environmental reasons, health reasons, or religious motivations. One common motivation for going vegan is the promised health benefits. The vegan diet is generally considered to be higher in fibre and lower in cholesterol, protein, calcium and salt than an omnivorous diet.
With the growing popularity of plant-based diets, there are many vegetarian-friendly foods from which you can choose. However, many foods marketed for vegetarians are prepackaged and highly processed, meaning they can be high in added sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and oils, and calories.
In Singapore, there are a number of entrepreneurs that are part of this trend, with businesses that align closely to it. Below are some famous vegan restaurants or catering providers that use more natural ingredients in their food.
- Veganburg
- Pano Kato
- MTR Singapore
- Little Farms
- Tea Villa Café
- The Living Cafe
- Whole Earth
- Afterglow by Anglow
- Café Salivation
- Makanmate Catering
There will be no doubt that in the near future, vegan and vegetarian food will be a common feature in shops and restaurants in order to widen their food of choice in Singapore!
