Show Notes:

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Ever wondered why honey, a natural and seemingly harmless sweetener, is off the table for vegans? The answer lies in the ethical considerations surrounding bee farming and the impact on the bees themselves. In today's post and episode we'll be diving into why most vegans don't eat honey, how this (as with all we talk about) relates to mindful eating, and how it aligns with a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. We'll discuss gray areas for vegans in practical terms, plus, we’ll explore some delicious, vegan-friendly alternatives to honey!

Understanding Veganism: Beyond Diet

Although as you know we focus a lot on the food aspects of the vegan lifestyle because it's my personal area of expertise, I always find it's important to give a reminder that veganism isn’t just about the diet. It's a philosophy that seeks to avoid the exploitation and harm of animals as far as is practicable and possible for each person. This means abstaining not only from meat, dairy, and eggs but also from products like leather, wool, and yes, also in the dietary realm, honey. The goal is always to live a life that causes as little harm as possible to all sentient beings. An analogy that I always like to use is that of the colored glasses that will act as the filter through which you make your choices as you move through this wold and your life. The filter is causing less harm, we as vegans put on those glasses and look through them, making as many choices as we can through that filter, and even when a choice didn't align perfectly, we renew that commitment for the next choice and put on the glasses again.

For many vegans, choosing not to consume honey is a natural extension of this philosophy. Even though bees might not seem as emotionally complex as mammals, their role in nature is invaluable, and their well-being matters just as much. 

One of the reasons I think people dismiss the honey issue, even some vegans, is that they assume that because we know that many insects die in the farming of fruits and vegetables (although in significantly fewer numbers than when we need to grow large amounts of food that will serve as animal feed, that will produce much fewer food, aside from the fruits and veggies that non vegans also eat with the animal products they consume), it's a bit hypocritical to suddenly be so worried about bees. 

I can tell you a bit about my story with honey, I reduced my consumption of it long before I went vegan because I learned about how honeybees are essential for our survival on Earth, although all animals have their place in ecology and the balance of so many other systems and other animals, honeybees have particular superpowers that we'll be talking about today.

The Ethical Concerns of Honey Production

At first glance, honey might seem like a totally benign product—after all, bees make it naturally, right? However, commercial honey production often involves practices that can harm bees. Let’s break down some of these issues:

1. There is exploitation of bees: In commercial beekeeping, bees are often bred selectively to increase honey production. This can lead to a loss of genetic diversity and makes hives more susceptible to disease and pests. In some cases, queens are artificially inseminated and then killed after a few years to be replaced with younger queens, ensuring maximum productivity. Of course, not all operations are big commercial operations, there are small beekeepers that often just have a few small hives, and yes, this might be better than what is done in massive honey production operations, but as we continue on you'll see why it's such a delicate matter, and why choosing other alternatives might still be better for bees and for us.

2. There is stress and harm done to bees: Beekeepers sometimes clip the wings of queen bees to prevent them from leaving the hive and starting a new colony elsewhere. Additionally, bees are transported long distances to pollinate crops, which can be stressful and disorienting for them. The process of harvesting honey also involves removing the bees' food source, forcing them to work harder to replace it or be fed a less nutritious sugar substitute. This is a common practice in large operations but also small operations. Bees of course, as what happens with milk in the case of lactating animals, don't produce their milk or in this case their honey for us. They produce it for their own use and survival (in the case of dairy, for their calf's survival). Without the bees being in their optimal health, one big risk is what is known as colony collapse, which has been seen by farmers time and time again, in which entire hives die, reducing the population of honeybees at astounding numbers.

3. There is an impact on ecosystems: The focus on honeybees in agriculture has led to the neglect of what are known as native pollinators, many of which are crucial for the health of local ecosystems. Large-scale beekeeping can also disrupt local environments and contribute to the decline of wild bee populations. As much as our agriculture systems have evolved and use incredible technological advances, no manmade practice has been able to improve what bees can do as pollinators. It's a gray area for vegans because we need pollinators to grow the food we eat, all the fruits, veggies, legumes and grains we consume, but if one area that can cause so many problems can be swapped for alternatives in a very easy and delicious way, at least most of the time, it's something worth considering. Bees and other pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of the plants that help us breathe the air we breathe and that give us the plants we eat. Without pollinators, we would be in serious trouble.

4. There is a problem with honey substitutes for bees and sustainability: When honey is harvested, it is often replaced with a sugar syrup that lacks the nutritional properties of honey, leaving the bees nutritionally deficient. This practice is not only harmful to the bees but also unsustainable in the long term, as it weakens bee populations and their ability to pollinate effectively.
   
   

The Mindfulness Behind Avoiding Honey

Veganism goes hand in hand with mindful eating (apart from being my favorite topic), which encourages us to think critically about where our food comes from and the impact it has on the world around us. By choosing not to consume honey, vegans practice mindfulness by considering the ethical implications of their choices, not just for themselves but for all living beings.

Mindful eating also promotes a deeper connection with food and its origins, fostering a greater appreciation for plant-based alternatives that do not involve exploitation. It’s about making choices that align with our values, contributing to a more compassionate and sustainable world.

Do all Vegans Skip Honey?

Not all vegans choose to skip honey.

Others won't buy it for their own consumption, but will eat it if there's no other alternative and the food is otherwise vegan. 

There is no agriculture system that is without harm, and as vegans we need to eat. The foods we eat also involve the killing of insects and also other small wildlife in the way our modern agriculture system works, so again we come back to the same baseline, veganism is about reducing as much harm done to animals as possible, so a question I always ask myself when it comes to some of what some people might consider vegan gray areas or smaller issues is:

"What would help the animals the most?"

In our series of posts I've titled the "Imperfect Vegan" through the years, I always talk about how there is so much nuance when answering this question.

When the focus is on being the perfect vegan, a "card carrying vegan", avoiding being called out as an "imperfect vegan", we sometimes miss the point and miss a huge opportunity to inspire others and portray veganism as something attainable and doable.

This means that sometimes, being an imperfect vegan will help animals more. I'll give you an example.

We all have those friends or family members in our lives who are so far from being vegan it's taken them a lot of head scratching moments to even accept that we eat this way. If I were in a situation where they're finally a bit more open minded about these changes, are maybe considering making a few swaps in their own diet and incorporating more vegan foods, and we get together and they've made a cake that is otherwise vegan, but they weren't aware of the honey issue and the cake had honey, what do you think the reaction would be if I said I couldn't eat the cake because honey isn't vegan?

In these vegan conundrums, we often have to draw a line at where we're comfortable. I would never eat a non-vegan food that would make me uncomfortable, but I would pick my battles, and in this scenario, I would prioritize portraying the way I eat as more approachable, if this is something my friends are becoming more open to. I would explain if asked about honey, but re-afirm that veganism isn't about being perfect, or about some commandments  or guidelines you have to follow just for the sake of the definition of a word, but that there are gray areas and that people still have autonomy, and still, when making my own choices, I would choose the alternatives to honey and skipping it.

Every vegan comes to their own terms with these choices based on what lines they've drawn and what they're comfortable with, and also, what will support their otherwise vegan choices in the long run, helping countless more animals than if the rigidity made them step away from this way of eating and living.

Delicious Vegan Alternatives to Honey

If honey is off the table, what’s a vegan to do when they crave something sweet and sticky? Luckily, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives that are just as satisfying. Here are some of the best options:

1. Maple Syrup: Made from the sap of sugar maple trees, this sweet syrup is a fantastic alternative to honey. It has a rich flavor that pairs well with pancakes, waffles, and even savory dishes, delicious when making smoky tempeh bacon and when used in baking as a sugar substitute. This is my personal favorite always.

2. Agave Nectar: Derived from the agave plant, this syrup is sweeter than honey and has a mild flavor and similar color to honey, making it perfect for sweetening beverages, desserts, and sauces.

3. Date Syrup: Made from pureed dates, this natural sweetener is packed with nutrients like potassium and magnesium. It has a caramel-like flavor that works well in baking and cooking. Another favorite of mine but it can be expensive so I alternate it with maple syrup and use it where it will really shine.

4. Coconut Nectar: Produced from the sap of coconut blossoms, this low-glycemic sweetener has a unique, slightly tangy taste. It’s great for drizzling over oatmeal, yogurt, or desserts.

5. Brown Rice Syrup: Made from fermented brown rice, this thick, mildly sweet syrup is less intense than honey, making it a good option for those who prefer a subtler sweetness. It's perhaps the stickiest of all the options making it a great alternative.

6. Bee-Free Honey: There are also commercially available “honeys” made from apples, dandelions, or other plant sources. These products mimic the taste and texture of honey without involving bees.
   
   

Embracing Compassionate Choices

Choosing not to consume honey is just one part of a broader commitment to living compassionately. For many vegans, it's a way to align their diet with their values, ensuring that their choices cause as little harm as possible to animals and the environment. By opting for plant-based alternatives, vegans can enjoy sweet treats without compromising their ethics and with so many alternatives available, it's easier than ever.

Embracing alternatives to honey can encourage more mindful eating practices, promoting a deeper connection with the food we eat and the impact it has on the world around us. As I always tell you, each meal chosen with this awareness and through this filter is mindful eating in practice. It’s a small but meaningful step towards a practice that will help you so much in your relationship with food.

Some FAQs About Vegans and Honey

Q: Can honey be considered vegan if it’s locally sourced?
A: While some might argue that local, small-scale honey production is less harmful, it still involves the exploitation of bees. For those committed to vegan principles, avoiding honey altogether remains the most ethical choice, but always with a caveat like the one I mentioned above, in helping new vegans or soon to be vegans understand that they can take it one ingredient at a time, that even when they made a different choice because of living in a non-vegan world, they can keep making vegan choices right after, and skip all the honey at home.

Q: What about raw honey?
A: Raw honey, despite being unprocessed, is still a product of bee farming and the issues we discussed above. Therefore, it is not considered vegan.

 Q: How can I make my own vegan honey substitute at home?
A: You can create a simple vegan honey substitute by simmering apples, sugar, and lemon juice until it thickens into a syrup. This homemade version can mimic the taste and texture of honey.

With so many delicious plant-based sweeteners available, you won’t miss honey one bit, and you'll continue to make choices that benefit animals (no matter how different from us they might be), the environment and in this case, also the food supply to us and so many other beings. It is somehow often the biggest deal breaker for people researching vegan diets (as in... "I have to give up what now?"), but ironically its the easiest, most inexpensive and painless ingredient to swap when going vegan. Looking back, I know realize that because of the information I read about regarding bee population collapse and how it would be dire for our survival and the availability of food in our near future, it was the first swap I made on my vegan journey, years before I stopped eating meat, dairy and eggs. It was possibly for selfish reasons (fear of food availability for humans), but now I know, this choice impacts much more than just that, and it's so easy to make a different choice.