Veganism is also a restrictive diet — in the sense that it eliminates certain foods, as opposed to the now almost, ubiquitous interpretation of “diet” as “eating less.” This means that for people with eating disorder tendencies, it can be used as a cover for orthorexic restriction. But it is perfectly possible to eat a vegan diet comprised entirely of Oreos and deep-fried seitan, or — probably advisable — maintain a balanced, relaxed approach to food within its parameters.
Perpetuating the myth that all veganism is synonymous with anxious salad-crunching is a useful tool for trolls like Piers Morgan, who can write off the opinions of vegans as “hanger,” and their advocacy for the diet as the outbursts of “virtue-signalling.” “gruel-eating” snowflakes. Incidentally, the Greggs vegan sausage roll has 3 grams more protein than its meat equivalent.
The latest backlash against veganism is inherently hypocritical. Those calling for a free-market approach to food production are ignoring the fact that this is exactly what Greggs is. What is being painted as an elitist fringe movement is now mainstream, and Piers Morgan et al seem determined that its advocates are simultaneously malnourished waifs, and extremely threatening.
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