Is Honey Vegan?

I've recently decided to become a vegan. This means that I'm on a plant-based diet. I abstain from the eating of meat, dairy and eggs. I'm doing this for health reasons.

There has been debate within the vegan community as to whether or not a person can call themselves vegan and still eat honey. Some consider honey to be an animal product and therefore, should not be eaten. Others feel that it's okay since it's mostly processed flower nector.

I personally see nothing wrong with it. This short article/11 minute audio clip reflects my views on this subject.

wow

you got me there, i have no idea

i say no, eventhough its produced by bees, it doesnt really COME from bees.. you know?

its like people making candy, we make it, but it doesnt come from us.. ya know?

can you eat candy btw?

nope its not okay..

Milk is a product of a cow in the same vein..

they must intake to output...

so must a bee...the intake being the nectar output being honey..

so IMO no...

nope its not okay..

Milk is a product of a cow in the same vein..

they must intake to output...

so must a bee...the intake being the nectar output being honey..

so IMO no...

RAFDOG

No it still takes the bees to make the honey, therefore no. If you manage to find a way to gather the nectar yourself...;)

But are you doing this for health reasons only or is it based on principles as well?(against animals being treated bad etc.)

If it is for health reasons only I see nothing wrong with it.

honey is an animal product...and vegans arent supposed to eat anything from animals...you could go vegetarian if you are concerned about not being able to eat honey hahahaArmoredAshes

I would prefer to call myself vegan than vegetarian because people might confuse me with a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian that also allows for dairy and eggs).

I'm going vegan primarily for health reasons and honey doesn't have the health concerns that meat, dairy and eggs have. In fact, it has properties that kills bacteria. I suppose if a person were very concerned with animal welfare, they might abstain from honey. It looks like there are different degrees of veganism in actual practice; even if it differs from the original definition.

I'd say eat whatever you feel like. I wouldn't let a title get in the way of what I like.RoyTheViking

Me neither.

[QUOTE="ArmoredAshes"]honey is an animal product...and vegans arent supposed to eat anything from animals...you could go vegetarian if you are concerned about not being able to eat honey hahahaJemdude

I would prefer to call myself vegan than vegetarian because people might confuse me with a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian that also allows for dairy and eggs).

I'm going vegan primarily for health reasons and honey doesn't have the health concerns that meat, dairy and eggs have. In fact, it has properties that kills bacteria. I suppose if a person were very concerned with animal welfare, they might abstain from honey. It looks like there are different degrees of veganism in actual practice; even if it differs from the original definition.

No, there are different degrees of vegetarianism.

Veganism is just veganism. And you're not a vegan. You're a vegetarian who doesn't eat milk and eggs.

No, there are different degrees of vegetarianism.

Veganism is just veganism. And you're not a vegan. You're a vegetarian who doesn't eat milk and eggs.

MrGeezer

You may be technically right so I'm not going to argue with you. I'm just saying that in actual practice, many people who eat honey, but also abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs call themselves vegan. If you really want to go by the strict rules of veganism, a person would also have to abstain from buying clothing made from animals, but not everybody who calls themselves vegan does this.

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

No, there are different degrees of vegetarianism.

Veganism is just veganism. And you're not a vegan. You're a vegetarian who doesn't eat milk and eggs.

Jemdude

You may be technically right so I'm going to argue with you. I'm just saying that in actual practice, many people who eat honey, but also abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs call themselves vegan. If you really want to go by the strict rules of veganism, a person would also have to abstain from buying clothing made from animals, but not everybody who calls themselves vegan does this.

Whatever. I can call myself the king of England if I want to, but that doesn't make me the King of England.

[QUOTE="Jemdude"][QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

No, there are different degrees of vegetarianism.

Veganism is just veganism. And you're not a vegan. You're a vegetarian who doesn't eat milk and eggs.

MrGeezer

You may be technically right so I'm going to argue with you. I'm just saying that in actual practice, many people who eat honey, but also abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs call themselves vegan. If you really want to go by the strict rules of veganism, a person would also have to abstain from buying clothing made from animals, but not everybody who calls themselves vegan does this.

Whatever. I can call myself the king of England if I want to, but that doesn't make me the King of England.

You're right, because I'm the King of England.

I said no it is not vegan. It really depend on your reasons behind it. If you do not want hurt anything living it would destroy bee honeycombs. So that would be damaging to the bees. But it you were a real vegan which there is no such thing you would useNO products AT ALL made with byproduct of animals. So eliminate just about everything unless you live in a house you build with trees you cut down, no nails, electricity unless you can design a way that uses no man made products. Make your own clothes carve your own tools, do not drive or own a bike unless you make it from scratch.

If you do it for health you are OK.

[QUOTE="Jemdude"][QUOTE="MrGeezer"]

No, there are different degrees of vegetarianism.

Veganism is just veganism. And you're not a vegan. You're a vegetarian who doesn't eat milk and eggs.

MrGeezer

You may be technically right so I'm going to argue with you. I'm just saying that in actual practice, many people who eat honey, but also abstain from meat, dairy, and eggs call themselves vegan. If you really want to go by the strict rules of veganism, a person would also have to abstain from buying clothing made from animals, but not everybody who calls themselves vegan does this.

Whatever. I can call myself the king of England if I want to, but that doesn't make me the King of England.

Sorry, I meant to say that I'm NOT going to argue with you in my last quote since you may be technically right. If you are saying that I don't meet the strict definition of the word vegan, then you are right about that.

I do think there needs to be sub categories of the word vegan, because of different degrees of how it is actually practiced. For example, some people call themselves "dietary vegans" to indicate that their practices are limited to diet and not clothing.

Honey comes from bees.

Bees are animals.

Honey is therefore an animal product -- which real vegans are not allowed to consume.

Vegan Wars!!!

I think it's ok to eat.

Honey comes from bees.

Bees are animals.

Honey is therefore an animal product -- which real vegans are not allowed to consume.

MeanQuestion

Honey really comes from flower nectar that the bees process into honey. It doesn't come from the bee's body like milk from a cow. I'm not trying to change your mind, but because of this, honey to me seems to fall into a grey area.

strict vegans avoid honey....

But if you want a substitute, try agave nectar. It's a low glycemic sweetener, and is delicious. I am quite impressed with it.

add another to the list of delicious foods vegans cant eat.

[QUOTE="MeanQuestion"]

Honey comes from bees.

Bees are animals.

Honey is therefore an animal product -- which real vegans are not allowed to consume.

Jemdude

Honey really comes from flower nectar that the bees process into honey. It doesn't come from the bee's body like milk from a cow. I'm not trying to change your mind, but because of this, honey to me seems to fall into a grey area.

The result of a process is a product. Milk is just a product of a more complex process.

Bees make the honey...if there were no bees, there'd be no honey.

There's absolutely no question about whether or not honey is animal product.

There's absolutely no question about whether or not it is traditionally considered vegan (it's not). However, some 'vegans' eat it anyway because they have no ethical issues with it.

Maybe honey is God's little riddle that unravels veganism....

Our bodies are designed to survive...do what you can do to make that happen without gagging on anything on the way down.

Eat whatever you feel okay eating, regardless of title.

I said no it is not vegan. It really depend on your reasons behind it. If you do not want hurt anything living it would destroy bee honeycombs. So that would be damaging to the bees. But it you were a real vegan which there is no such thing you would useNO products AT ALL made with byproduct of animals. So eliminate just about everything unless you live in a house you build with trees you cut down, no nails, electricity unless you can design a way that uses no man made products. Make your own clothes carve your own tools, do not drive or own a bike unless you make it from scratch.

If you do it for health you are OK.

flavort

Why the hell does it matter? I don't even get the whole point of being vegan. Like milking a cow is cruel or something. I somewhat get vegetarians, only a little, but c'mon no cheese? Don't make any sense to me.

Why the hell does it matter? I don't even get the whole point of being vegan. Like milking a cow is cruel or something. I somewhat get vegetarians, only a little, but c'mon no cheese? Don't make any sense to me.

Eman5805

So, you don't wear leather, or eat any type of gelatin or pectin, etc?LukeAF24

[QUOTE="ArmoredAshes"]honey is an animal product...and vegans arent supposed to eat anything from animals...you could go vegetarian if you are concerned about not being able to eat honey hahahaJemdude

I would prefer to call myself vegan than vegetarian because people might confuse me with a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian that also allows for dairy and eggs).

I'm going vegan primarily for health reasons and honey doesn't have the health concerns that meat, dairy and eggs have. In fact, it has properties that kills bacteria. I suppose if a person were very concerned with animal welfare, they might abstain from honey. It looks like there are different degrees of veganism in actual practice; even if it differs from the original definition.

If you were solely in in for the health benefits you wouldn't be concenered with the label peopel will give you...you would rather be called vegan? Why? Ego points for the title, or what? If your choice to go vegan was health based you wouldn't feel the need to announce it or find out certain rules to make sure you don't lose your title...

[QUOTE="Jemdude"]

[QUOTE="ArmoredAshes"]honey is an animal product...and vegans arent supposed to eat anything from animals...you could go vegetarian if you are concerned about not being able to eat honey hahahaRoland1987

I would prefer to call myself vegan than vegetarian because people might confuse me with a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian that also allows for dairy and eggs).

I'm going vegan primarily for health reasons and honey doesn't have the health concerns that meat, dairy and eggs have. In fact, it has properties that kills bacteria. I suppose if a person were very concerned with animal welfare, they might abstain from honey. It looks like there are different degrees of veganism in actual practice; even if it differs from the original definition.

If you were solely in in for the health benefits you wouldn't be concenered with the label peopel will give you...you would rather be called vegan? Why? Ego points for the title, or what? If your choice to go vegan was health based you wouldn't feel the need to announce it or find out certain rules to make sure you don't lose your title...

[QUOTE="Roland1987"][QUOTE="Jemdude"]

[QUOTE="ArmoredAshes"]honey is an animal product...and vegans arent supposed to eat anything from animals...you could go vegetarian if you are concerned about not being able to eat honey hahahawemhim

I would prefer to call myself vegan than vegetarian because people might confuse me with a lacto-ovo vegetarian (a vegetarian that also allows for dairy and eggs).

I'm going vegan primarily for health reasons and honey doesn't have the health concerns that meat, dairy and eggs have. In fact, it has properties that kills bacteria. I suppose if a person were very concerned with animal welfare, they might abstain from honey. It looks like there are different degrees of veganism in actual practice; even if it differs from the original definition.

If you were solely in in for the health benefits you wouldn't be concenered with the label peopel will give you...you would rather be called vegan? Why? Ego points for the title, or what? If your choice to go vegan was health based you wouldn't feel the need to announce it or find out certain rules to make sure you don't lose your title...

Exactly...Eat what you want.Live the way you want, don't follow arbitrary rules just to gain a title...

So, you don't wear leather, or eat any type of gelatin or pectin, etc?LukeAF24

Are vegans allowed to wear makeup and use glue? Because those are often made from animals too.

If a vegan has to buy a roll of tape or a box of envelopes, does he first have to make sure that the adhesive doesn't contain any animal ingredients?

[QUOTE="Eman5805"]

Why the hell does it matter? I don't even get the whole point of being vegan. Like milking a cow is cruel or something. I somewhat get vegetarians, only a little, but c'mon no cheese? Don't make any sense to me.

wemhim

Yeah, but the people who make honey kill bees, just like how the people who make eggs kill chickens.

I mean, really. Bees aren't sitting around making honey just for the hell of it. It's food for baby bees. When you come along and rip the hive apart and take most of the baby food, what do you think is gonna happen to the baby bees that were supposed to be eating that honey?

[QUOTE="wemhim"][QUOTE="Eman5805"]

Why the hell does it matter? I don't even get the whole point of being vegan. Like milking a cow is cruel or something. I somewhat get vegetarians, only a little, but c'mon no cheese? Don't make any sense to me.

MrGeezer

Yeah, but the people who make honey kill bees, just like how the people who make eggs kill chickens.

I mean, really. Bees aren't sitting around making honey just for the hell of it. It's food for baby bees. When you come along and rip the hive apart and take most of the baby food, what do you think is gonna happen to the baby bees that were supposed to be eating that honey?

[QUOTE="MrGeezer"][QUOTE="wemhim"][QUOTE="Eman5805"]

Why the hell does it matter? I don't even get the whole point of being vegan. Like milking a cow is cruel or something. I somewhat get vegetarians, only a little, but c'mon no cheese? Don't make any sense to me.

wemhim

Yeah, but the people who make honey kill bees, just like how the people who make eggs kill chickens.

I mean, really. Bees aren't sitting around making honey just for the hell of it. It's food for baby bees. When you come along and rip the hive apart and take most of the baby food, what do you think is gonna happen to the baby bees that were supposed to be eating that honey?

Yeah, I'm just saying that it's still not vegan because you're murdering innocent defenseless baby bees just so thast you can eat your "delicious honey".

I once heard that "some people don't consider eating honey to be antithetical to veganism, since bees are insects and insects don't feel pain."

Umm...excuse me? Can anyone PROVE to me that insects don't feel pain?

It's like, EVERYONE thinks that it's okay to set out rat traps in order to kill rats and mice.

Some people don't even use those snap traps that kill relatively quickly by causing extreme physical trauma. Lots of people use poison and glue traps that kill HORRIBLY.

And yet when I smash a baby mouse with a brick, people get upset.

Hey, geniuses. What the **** do you think happens when your mouse trap kills a MOTHER mouse? That's right, ALL of the babies die. And they don't die quick either. They die of starvation because mommy never came home because YOU killed mommy.

EVERY single time you set a mouse trap, you are implicitly stating that you are fine with killing cute little innocent baby mice in the most horrible painful inhumane way possible. That is a direct result of your decision to kill mice. So don't DARE try to make me feel guilty about crushing baby mice to death. At least I killed them quickly, while most other people kill them slowly and inhumanely and pretend like they don't have blood on their hands.

Screw that. I ate a goose for thanksgiving, and I actually LIKED that goose. I miss it to this day. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't absolutey delicious.

Yeah, I'm just saying that it's still not vegan because you're murdering innocent defenseless baby bees just so thast you can eat your "delicious honey".

I once heard that "some people don't consider eating honey to be antithetical to veganism, since bees are insects and insects don't feel pain."

Umm...excuse me? Can anyone PROVE to me that insects don't feel pain?

It's like, EVERYONE thinks that it's okay to set out rat traps in order to kill rats and mice.

Some people don't even use those snap traps that kill relatively quickly by causing extreme physical trauma. Lots of people use poison and glue traps that kill HORRIBLY.

And yet when I smash a baby mouse with a brick, people get upset.

Hey, geniuses. What the **** do you think happens when your mouse trap kills a MOTHER mouse? That's right, ALL of the babies die. And they don't die quick either. They die of starvation because mommy never came home because YOU killed mommy.

EVERY single time you set a mouse trap, you are implicitly stating that you are fine with killing cute little innocent baby mice in the most horrible painful inhumane way possible. That is a direct result of your decision to kill mice. So don't DARE try to make me feel guilty about crushing baby mice to death. At least I killed them quickly, while most other people kill them slowly and inhumanely and pretend like they don't have blood on their hands.

Screw that. I ate a goose for thanksgiving, and I actually LIKED that goose. I miss it to this day. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't absolutey delicious.

MrGeezer