Tofu and lentils: These data are vegan

Calling all vegans! November 1 is World Vegan Day, a day to celebrate the many benefits of veganism. For those who may be unfamiliar, veganism means abstaining from the use of animal products. While this is commonly practised in a dietary sense, as in not eating any animal-based foods (meat, fish, dairy, eggs or honey), veganism can also include avoiding cosmetic products that are tested on animals or avoiding real fur and leather when it comes to clothing choices. 

Those who practise veganism may do so for a variety of reasons, including ethical, moral, environmental or health. While lifestyle choices—vegan or not—are unique for each of us, World Vegan Day recognizes those who choose to practise veganism regardless of how or why they may do so.

When it comes to the vegan diet, there are many different delicious and nutritious foods to enjoy, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and grains. In honour of World Vegan Day, we’re filling our plates with some soy and lentil data.

Soy-based products such as tofu and tempeh are popular sources of protein for vegans and vegetarians. Soybeans can be used in all sorts of different ways, including soy milk, which is a popular alternative for those who don’t consume dairy.

Ontario is the province that produces the most soybeans in Canada. In 2024, Canada’s soybean production increased by 3.1% year over year to 7.2 million tonnes, with Ontario (4.3 million tonnes), Manitoba (1.4 million) and Quebec (1.3 million) accounting for almost all the production.

Lentils are another nutrient-dense food included in many vegan recipes, particularly in Indian dishes such as dals and curries.

Area seeded to lentils increased compared with 2023, rising 14.8% to 4.2 million acres in 2024. Farmers in Saskatchewan, where almost 90% of Canada’s lentils are grown, reported seeing seeded area rise 14.0% to 3.6 million acres, while lentil area in Alberta increased 19.6% to 559,700 acres.

Whether you are vegan or not, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is important. In 2023, on average, 21.6% of Canadians aged 18 years and older reported consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, down from 25.4% in 2020. This proportion has been decreasing since 2015, as it went from 31.5% in 2015 to 30.1% in 2016 and to 28.7% in 2017.

The good news is that it is never too late to start. It may be time to learn from our vegan neighbours and brighten up our plates with some fresh fruits and veggies or even try some vegan fibre-filled favourites such as tofu and lentils!