Vegans are people who deliberately avoid animal products and consume vegetables and other plant-based foods. There may be different types of vegans, but the vast majority agree that they'll find dishes they enjoy at Thai Chef Restaurant in Lahaina, HI. This Thai restaurant serves the best vegan and vegetarian food on Maui and has been an island favorite since its 1985 opening.

Below, the team at this premier Thai eatery explain three popular vegan approaches.

Plant-Based

The plant-based vegan is someone who consumes food that comes from the ground, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds. Plant-based vegans typically avoid processed foods and focus on eating whole ones. However, some plant-based eaters are not strictly vegan and may consume animal by-products such as fish oil and honey and wear leather or wool. 

Ethical

An ethical vegan is a person who refrains from interacting with all animal products and by-products. Ethical vegans stay away from everything animal-based for environmental and social reasons, which includes refusal to wear leather, silk, and fur. These vegans generally do not support zoos or circuses because they do not believe in animal exploitation.

Raw

The raw vegan consumes raw foods only, or nothing that has been cooked above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw vegans believe heating food beyond that temperature causes it to lose valuable enzymes and other essential nutrients. Foods such as vegetables and fruits are usually consumed in their natural state. No processed foods or refined sugars are eaten on the raw vegan diet.

The team at Thai Chef Restaurant also note there is a “junk food vegan,” or someone who does not consume animal products but still eats non-animal junk foods such as vegan cookies and potato chips. Junk food vegans may not be as healthy as their counterparts because they still consume processed foods.

Learn more about vegan and vegetarian food options from Thai Chef Restaurant by calling (808) 667-2814. Visit their website to view their menu, and their Facebook page for the latest information on specials.