VVS will feature, co-host, and sponsor exciting events throughout the Lower Mainland themed around our values of food, arts, and culture. Through sharing these activities and gatherings, we hope to strengthen the local vegetarian community and provide more opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect.

There is no formal membership to the Vancouver Vegetarian Society. We welcome everyone and anyone can join! All you need to do is follow us on our Facebook or Instagram pages, both of which are linked above for your convenience. It’s as easy as that, now you’re a member of VVS.

We’re happy to have you and hope to meet you soon. Keep your eyes peeled for fun new happenings on our social media.

Absolutely not. While some aspects of vegetarianism have religious roots, the Vancouver Vegetarian Society is not affiliated with any religion, ideology, or ethnicity.

We celebrate the diversity of our beautiful city, and accept people from all backgrounds and belief systems. Our mission is to connect sustainable and healthy vegetarians from every walk of life and inspire the broader community with a lifestyle that helps the animals, our health, and the planet itself.

The Vancouver Vegetarian Society is made up of individuals and families who are either vegetarian or simply interested in the lifestyle. People from all cultures and backgrounds are welcome at VVS, and we are always looking to share our ideas and content with those who are open to learning.

VVS is not a charity, but we do function as a non-for-profit. This means that we do not aim to make money off this initiative. Rather we want to spread the message of vegetarianism, health, compassion, and sustainability. The events that we host, co-host, or sponsor will be free or ticketed to cover the costs of the event alone.

Even though we are not technically a charity, we do believe in charitable values like building community, helping the planet through mindful and sustainable decisions, and encouraging positive change around us.

Vegetarianism is a diet and lifestyle that excludes the eating of animals; including meat, game, poultry, fish and shellfish.

There are three main types of vegetarianism, but there are as many interpretations as there are religious sects.

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat dairy and eggs. This is the most common vegetarian practice.
• Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy but avoid eggs.
• Vegans do not eat dairy, eggs, or any other animal byproducts, such as honey, whey or gelatin. Additionally, vegans avoid animal products in all cleaning, beauty, clothing, etc. items while working to eliminate any form of animal exploitation from their lifestyle.

Absolutely! The animals that are generally thought to provide the most protein source their amino acids from plants. By consuming protein-rich plant foods like beans, lentils, nuts and seeds, vegetarians can be sure to meet their nutritional requirements.

For help with meal planning to ensure a balanced nutrient intake, check out this nutrient calculator:
https://cronometer.com

While vegetarians and vegans have their fair share of plant-based junk foods, it is typically the healthier choice to be vegetarian. Many people make the dietary and lifestyle switch for the health benefits.

A vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and less obesity. Additionally, vegetarians are generally found to have lower BMIs on average, more energy and less stress. A diet rich in whole plant foods tends to be higher in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which can help fight off free-radicals and ward off cancer.

Definitely! In fact, the Standard American Diet that is full of processed meat and dairy products is associated with childhood obesity and early onset diabetes.

Parents who wish to switch their children to a vegetarian diet may wish to consult a nutritionist or pediatrician to plan for success, but adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to a child’s diet is a great start!

A great way to prepare vegetarian foods for kids is to take advantage of meat and dairy replacements that mimic familiar meals. Macaroni and Cheese can be made with cashew cheese and nut milk, and chicken nuggets could be replaced with vegetable nuggets.

Any diet requires a well-planned balance of whole foods to fulfill our nutritional needs. Those that have eaten meat for their entire lives may find it confusing or counterintuitive at first, but all the nutritional components of meat and animal products are originally sourced from plants! Even compounds like collagen and vitamin A are synthesized by our bodies from a balanced diet of whole plant foods.

Some new vegetarians may wish to supplement B12 or Vitamin D (in the winter, as we receive ample Vitamin D in the summer from sunshine) in pills or drops, particularly if recommended by a doctor.

Depending on the types of foods people eat on an omnivorous diet, the switch to vegetarianism can mean a lower daily caloric intake. Fruits and vegetables especially are much less calorically dense than meat or dairy products. Vegetarians ought not be afraid of piling their veggies high on the plate, as larger portion sizes of nutritious plants help keep us full and healthy.

To satisfy all our nutritional requirements, it is recommended to eat a diverse array of whole plant foods. Nuts, seeds, beans and legumes are great sources of healthy fats, protein, and omega-3s that are higher in calories and ideal for staving off hunger for longer.

The Internet is full of great resources for those looking to learn about vegetarianism. There are several documentaries available on Netflix that inform viewers about the importance of choosing plants, namely “Cowspiracy”, “Forks Over Knives” and “What the Health”.

Helpful web sources include:

• The Vegetarian Resource Group: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/nutshell.htm
• The Vegan Society: https://www.vegansociety.com/
• Happy Cow: https://www.happycow.net/vegtopics/diet/vegetarian