My closest friend from high school has followed a vegan diet her entire life. She does not eat refined sugar but she said it has nothing to do with pork, that she has ever heard of. She's a very strict vegan. However, she said a vegan diet as she understands it avoids all unhealthy food which includes sugar high on the list. I'm not a vegan but I don't eat refined sugar because of the effects on the immune system. Good luck and you might want to type in vegan recipes in as a search and there too.