Vegan Guide
Short answers to real-world questions about veganism — food, health, shopping, and everyday life.
No. Silk is fibre from silkworm cocoons; in typical production the pupae die inside them. The vegan definition covers clothing, so silk is out.
Often not: gelatin capsules, lactose as a carrier, legally required animal tests. Veganism does not require refusing treatment. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about a gelatin- or lactose-free alternative – do not switch medicines on your own.
Cruelty-free means not tested on animals. Vegan means no animal-derived ingredients (for example lanolin, carmine, beeswax, collagen). A product can have one without the other – vegans look for both.
From 1 September 2026, Polish preschools and schools that provide meals must offer children who do not eat animal products a plant-based alternative on meat and fish days. In Polish hospitals a vegan diet is one of the standard diets, and the doctor decides on its use.
The definition talks about possibility and practice. Medicine you need is not a purity test. If a honey-free equivalent exists, it is fine to choose it. Do not drop treatment for a label.
Usually not. Veganism opposes using animals for entertainment, so most vegans skip animal circuses and zoos. Instead they support animal sanctuaries and watch animals in the wild.
No. Wool, leather (including suede and nubuck), down and fur are animal products. Alternatives: cotton, linen, lyocell, leather-like materials (PU), canvas, rubber, cork, and apple- or mycelium-based materials.
Calmly, briefly, without converting anyone at the table. Facts (B12, protein, the definition) beat a sermon. Parties and weddings are a separate food-logistics topic.
