Are blueberries vegan?

[tglenn45]

If beeswax and honey are offlimits, why aren't blueberries offlimits by extension. Wikipedia can't be wrong and it says that vegans don't eat anything that is an animal product or byproduct or produced through animal exploitation. Well, blueberries are totally the product of bee exploitation. In spring, bees pollinate blueberries, among other things. Bees in winter live 6 months 'cause they're just eating honey. But in spring and summer, while they're out cross-pollinating blueberries just so we'll get a little extra sweetness, they're cutting their lives down to 6 weeks. Poor bees. And we're just making muffins and pancakes all oblivious.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I believe they are. I know you are new here, but there was a thread by Flowerschild (a vegan) a while ago that mentioned he likes blueberries.

If food that was created by bees cross pollenation was off-limits to vegans, I just can't imagine what they COULD eat. Not much, that's for sure.

I've been following the bee decline. It's really kind of scary to think of what could happen if it continues. We'll all be eating artificial food.

 

[Laura]

 

[iggbees]

i'm kind of confused about this as well. i mean, bees are "animals" since they make honey and honey is considered not vegan, but bees also pollinate flowers, which turn into fruits, therefore a byproduct of an animal. i would imagine that if vegans couldn't eat fruit there would be very little for them to consume.

 

[tglenn45]

I believe they are. I know you are new here, but there was a thread by Flowerschild (a vegan) a while ago that mentioned he likes blueberries.

If food that was created by bees cross pollenation was off-limits to vegans, I just can't imagine what they COULD eat. Not much, that's for sure.

I've been following the bee decline. It's really kind of scary to think of what could happen if it continues. We'll all be eating artificial food.

Ah, thanks for the history, Splsh. The backstory on the DIS never ceases to sedate me. I've just been pondering because of the constant vegan threads here, plus I got me some bees plus blueberries. I'm thankful for both. I just wondered.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I know a vegan and she eats fruit. I'll have to ask her about honey.

But FlowersChild, also a vegan, once mentioned "vegan grape juice." People asked what the difference was between vegan and non-vegan grape juice, but nobody explained it.

So I guess some vegans have issues with fruits/veggies and some don't.

 

[MAKmom]

If beeswax and honey are offlimits, why aren't blueberries offlimits by extension. Wikipedia can't be wrong and it says that vegans don't eat anything that is an animal product or byproduct or produced through animal exploitation. Well, blueberries are totally the product of bee exploitation. In spring, bees pollinate blueberries, among other things. Bees in winter live 6 months 'cause they're just eating honey. But in spring and summer, while they're out cross-pollinating blueberries just so we'll get a little extra sweetness, they're cutting their lives down to 6 weeks. Poor bees. And we're just making muffins and pancakes all oblivious.

Your over thinking this. Blueberries are vegan. Honey is vegetarian.

 

[SplshMtn99]

oh, that's right. I forgot you have some bees now. How are they doing? Any honey yet? I don't know how long that takes. It must be interesting though!

 

[Aisling]

I've just been pondering because of the constant vegan threads here, plus I got me some bees plus blueberries. I'm thankful for both. I just wondered.

Constant vegan threads?

To answer your question, my sis-in-law has been on a strict vegan diet for many years, and she eats blueberries.

Well, blueberries are totally the product of bee exploitation

Just so you know, you can't "exploit" yourself. Exploitation is something that is done TO something else. Therefore, bees are not exploited when they're out there cross-pollinating.

I wouldn't want you to be up "pondering" all night! Can we say "busted"?

 

[bekkiz]

Actually, if anyone is exploting the bees, it's the plants

Bees don't pollinate on purpose, it's a nice side effect from their nectar collectiong behavior.

The difference between eating honey and eating blueberries is simple. Honeybees are creating the honey for their own benefit, and vegans believe to take it is stealing (sort of). Bees really have nothing at all to do with the blueberries, esp. once they've grown. Therefore, it's not taking the product of the bee--it's the product of the bush.

 

[DISUNC]

I am glad I eat meat & honey! This thread is soooooooooooooo confusing!

 

[yeartolate]

How can blueberries be vegan?

Fruits don't eat meat.

 

[Aisling]

How can blueberries be vegan?

Fruits don't eat meat.

Fruits are vegetarian!

They eat fertilizer, which is made from manure, which is a direct product of cows and horses, so fruits aren't vegan because they eat manure!

 

[Jestocost]

I'm more concerned about the fact that we call them blueberries, when they're actually purple!

 

[Dodie]

Wikipedia can't be wrong and it says...

You're kidding about this statement, right?

 

[Aisling]

You're kidding about this statement, right?

The OP was trying to start a thread, but it flopped!