Vegan and Honey?

Question

I'm vegan and never put much thought into cutting out honey. In fact I never thought about honey at all, as I've never really eaten it much. To my discovery one day, honey was listed as an ingredient in the crackers I was eating. What's your opinion on cutting out honey? Can I really consider myself to be vegan if I eat honey? Should we be concered with bug rights as much as human and animal rights? Just looking for some feedback. Thanks!

Answer 1

I think insects should be included when considering animal rights.

Here, maybe this article can help.

http://www.vegsource.com/jo/qa/qahoney.htm

Answer 2

I'm vegetarian, but until recently when I added back small amounts of cheese, I was vegan. I ate honey. But I knew that the strictest definition of veganism precludes honey, so I always was worried about it too.

I don't like it when people are mean to bugs, so yes, I think we should be concerned about humane treatment of insects. I would do some research online to see how honey is produced, and then decide. Ultimately you're the one who has to make the choice and live with your conscience. I would make your choice based on what you think is right, not on the labels we give our eating choices. Even if you still eat honey, you are doing so much to help animals and the planet by avoiding meat and dairy. :-)

Answer 3

I think it should be left up to each person to decide. You can still consider yourself vegan. I personally do not eat honey, but I respect others choices.

Plus it's easy to substitute it. I've heard agave nectar (juice from cacti) is delicious. Never tried it though. The only thing that's hard is finding wheat bread without honey but now I've found a brand called "food for life" that some of their whole grain breads do not contain it.

Answer 4

Technically speaking, it is an animal product and therefore isn't exactly vegan. However, many vegans, myself included, do eat honey. (On the other hand, many vegans don't eat honey.) Ultimately, it's a personal choice and it's about what you feel comfortable with. If you have an ethical/moral problem with eating honey don't eat it.

Answer 5

True vegans do not eat it because of the way it is gathered. The bees are "enslaved" and forced to produce honey in an artificial environment that is not their true hive or surroundings. If you are TRUE vegan, cut it out. If it does not bother you, eat it, it is up to YOU!!

Answer 6

Technically, bees don't produce honey. They "cultivate" it from flowers.So from that prospective honey would be ok.However, I know a vegan who doesn't eat honey. It is up to the individual on what to eat. So if you like honey, you should eat it.

Answer 7

Honey is essentially bee barf. Most vegans that I know do not eat it. I eat it and I'm vegetarian. As far as bees rights go...they don't die to make honey and most bee keepers take very good care of their hives.

Answer 8

i think in my opinion i think that if it is a act that bee are going to do anyways then i dont see it as a big deal. but if you dont have milk product though then you would have honey same kinda gonna happen even if you dont use it. it is not hurting or taking away from bee's to take their honey so i say it is fine hope this helps.

Answer 9

www.veganoutreach.org Look at his page entitled "How Vegan." Personally I am split on the bug issue. I catch and release bugs that are in my house, but I did an all out vicious squash bug massacre in the garden. Dang bugs were killing all my zucchini, buttercup squash and pumpkins.

Answer 10

I know most vegans don't eat honey. I'm a lacto-vegetarian for health reasons and have no problem with it, myself.

Answer 11

There are many Vegans who eat honey many who don't.
I do eat it, like you in small amounts but it's better in allot of recipes than "sugar". I know it's better for me.