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Do Vegetarians Eat Honey?

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As Rich is quite an expert in this field I thought he would be able to conclusively answer this question once and for all.

He not only very kindly provided the answer for us but also provided information into his excellent website and his vegetarian philosophy.

Rich was not always vegetarian but after having interviewed him he might just have another convert…Me!

Please enjoy as much as I, reading "our" interview below.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

Hello Rich, thank you so much for agreeing to our interview. You are aware of the question I am about to ask you “Do vegetarians eat honey?”

Rich

Yes Jan and I look forward to answering and fully explaining it to you and your readers.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

Rich, why did you choose to become a vegetarian?

Rich

I think I evolved into it more than made a conscious decision to do it. My wife had been a vegetarian for a number of years. I had cut out red meat entirely, simply as a health concern after testing for high cholesterol. But honestly, it became a bit of a logistical headache trying to create two meals all the time - one vegetarian and one not. So it was easier to make the change.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

So, health reasons and the ease of making one meal versus trying to satisfy two separate diets was the compelling reason you became vegetarian?

Rich

Those are probably the main reasons - although the whole animal welfare issue is a big concern as well. It is one of the reasons our website is Not Just Recipes - it's also about a more compassionate lifestyle.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

Speaking of animal welfare, I know that you eat honey, dairy and eggs. Is this a contradiction in any way, to your vegetarian philosophy?

Rich

No. Many vegetarians eat these types of food items. There are vegetarian "classifications" if you will; like ovo-lacto vegetarians, who eat eggs and dairy, or pescetarians, who eat fish. My logic to some degree is based on the fact that no animals had to die in order for me to have an egg or a cheese pizza. And as you have pointed out so well, honey is very healthy and nutritious and the care that beekeepers give their hives contributes to the well-being of the species. Honey can be used in many vegetarian recipes and, I believe, adds to the nutritional value of any dish. We are always looking for more recipes!

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

And as I understand it, vegans don't eat any animal products - so they do differ from vegetarians in that regard?

Rich

You might be interested to know that the term "vegan" first got its start in the UK. A splinter group from the Vegetarian Society of the UK decided that they would "take Veg-etari-an from its beginning to its logical conclusion", that being no exploitation of animals in any way. But, to answer your question, yes. In fact, most vegans (perhaps all) don't even wear products derived from animals, like leather or even wool. And we have all seen the PETA anti-fur demonstrations.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

What is your personal opinion of these views?

Rich

Well, as a vegan friend of mine once said to me, "We can be pretty militant when we want to be." I guess she was right. And I struggle with it a little. Sometimes I think they are at least getting the word out and making their point (a valid one) and at other times I think that perhaps they are simply making vegans and vegetarians look like a bunch of crackpots. But I think their message is a valid one as I said.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

I agree that is a valid opinion and we should all have freedom of choice these days concerning our own beliefs. My opinion concerning the health benefits of honey is widely supported and followed. Do you have any further reasons with which to convince my readers?

Rich

Look, another reason I said earlier that no animals had to die for my diet was to make a point as well. It seems to me that the days when "mankind" had to hunt and kill animals for food and clothing are gone. Perhaps it used to be a matter of survival but it isn't anymore. And the fact that the meat industry, in allowing and perpetuating factory farming, is guilty of wholesale cruelty and abuse isn't even a debate anymore. There is probably more evidence to the fact that factory farms are cruel and inhumane than there is against that premise. Not to mention the fact that the industry shoots the "food" they produce full of growth hormones and anti-biotics. How healthy is that? And it's all done under the guise of producing more food, faster in order to supply the growing demand. In actuality, their motives are not that altruistic. It's more about the money than anything else.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

There is much concern amongst government globally concerning the problem known as Colony Collapse Disorder which appears to be linked to chemicals used on our plants and food crops. Do you think fruit and vegetable farming is the same as well - all about the money?

Rich

In large measure, I do. Agri-business is large scale farming meant to produce as much as possible in the shortest amount of time and get it to market quickly...thereby increasing profits. Crops are treated with pesticides that often get absorbed into the food itself. And of course they are genetically engineering plants to become more productive in terms of yield and so on. Crops aren't rotated as they were when family farms were the mainstay of the farming industry. This depletes the soil of nutrients and has caused our food supply to actually be less nutritious than it was a generation ago. Look into how many things are made with high fructose corn syrup. You'll be surprised. Corn is one of the biggest cash crops and it is used in everything. And it simply isn't good for you! Maybe we should be experimenting with a substitute for high fructose corn syrup - how about honey?

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

That would be terrific and of course as our honey bees produce honey for themselves completely un-aware of the health benefits of honey we ourselves benefit from this makes perfect sense. But seriously Rich is there a solution to all of this?

Rich

Unfortunately, most people and certainly "big business" doesn’t want to hear the solutions. So, we do our part on a smaller scale. The vegetarians and vegans, the animal activists and some very smart, compassionate health care professionals try to get the word out as much as possible, offer up alternatives and try to educate people. One thing we tell people is to buy "local" as much as possible. Go to your local farmer's markets and support the family farms that are still trying to eek out a living. Their produce is fresh and it is less likely to be contaminated with a lot of chemicals. If possible, buy organic fruits and vegetables. It takes a little more planning when coming up with your grocery list but its well worth it.

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

I 100% agree with those views Rich; I certainly advocate buying local raw honey if there is an excellent farmers market available to my readers. This has been fascinating Rich, do have any final comments for us?

Rich

I guess I would simply ask that everyone who reads this consider what they eat. Think about the animals that we slaughter - they are sentient, breathing, feeling beings worthy of our respect and care. Again, buy locally grown produce as much as possible. Finally, educate yourself. Read about food contents, read food labels, be cognizant of what you put in your body. It's the only one you have - take care of it!

Health-Benefits-of-Honey

Thank you so much Rich for allowing Health Benefits of Honey to interview you and for answering that question: Do vegetarians eat honey? We look forward to hearing more from you in the future and wish you continuing success with your website: End of Interview



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