Veganism is mostly used as a term to describe the eating habits of a person who only eats fruits and vegetables. But to break it down for you, veganism is not only about eating, it’s a lifestyle that you can embrace in different ways. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods as well as products like leather and any tested on animals. According to The Vegan Society veganism needs to be defined as follows:
“A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”
There is no need to sum up all the environmental benefits of veganism, that’s crystal clear. And if every single person on earth would become vegan, our planet probably would become a better place. But if we are honest, it is not realistic, at least not yet. Nevertheless, it should not be a reason to distinct the vegans from the non-vegans, because if you give someone the choice between all or nothing, you actually give them an excuse to do nothing at all. Therefore, we want you to go vegan for one day, maybe even just for one meal every now and then. Because all these small adjustments in every single person’s life can make a world of difference!
Luckily, Antwerp Meets Sustainability is here to help you discover some amazing vegan lunch places. You should definitely give these a try, because eating vegan is not only better for mother Earth, it is also very delicious and healthy!
Juno is a lovely vegetarian and vegan breakfast/lunch spot, located at Vrijdagsmarkt. Even though it is only a couple of blocks away from Groenplaats, the square is usually not too busy and therefore very relaxing. At Juno you can savour a unique menu, which varies according to seasonal products, available self-cultivated vegetables and inspirations from the chefs. Therefore, all their products are always fresh, biological and home-made. Finally, Juno is run by two super friendly women, who take care of a great customer experience. So, you know (Ju-no) where to go if you want to enjoy yourself with a delicious plant-based lunch.
Récollets aims to transform traditional dishes and desserts in a vegan way. You can for example order a ‘Videe Maison’, which is a delicious plant-based version of vol-au-vent with a side of fries or croquettes. Moreover, you can also order sandwiches, salades, pasta and so on. If you have a sweet tooth, you will for sure fall in love with their home-made tiramisu, pancakes, cake, chocolate mouse et cetera. You won’t even notice that everything is actually vegan. Altogether, Récollets is a great lunch spot to kick off your vegan adventure!
HART is a brand new place in the heart of Antwerp. If you are looking for a breakfast, brunch or lunch spot, HART is your way to go. Besides offering delicious food, the owners of HART take the wellbeing of our planet and animals into account. Therefore they created a plant-based menu to pamper their customers with warm and cold dishes, but of course also with sweets and delightful coffee. Living a vegan and healthy lifestyle has never been more fun!
By Anouk Verniers and Rin Verstraeten (antwerpmeetssustainability@zoho.com)
Antwerp Meets Sustainability 