Yeah, we know it’s 2019 and there seems to be a never-ending amount of information on being vegan and vegetarian.

You’d be surprised how many people still ask the question “Is Vegan and vegetarian the same thing?” or ‘“Is vegan opposite of vegetarian?”(Just think about all the times you’ve had to explain your dietary needs to grandma or grandpa.)

And even though vegan and vegetarian eating are both more popular than ever, there’s still plenty of misinformation about each.

So maybe you’re a vegan or vegetarian looking for an article to send to your grandma. That way they know exactly what to feed you at the next family dinner. Or maybe you’re someone who’s interested in adopting a meat-free diet, but not sure which one to choose.

In this blog, we’re going to look at the difference between vegetarian and vegan.

Definitions of a Vegan vs. a Vegetarian

Vegan and vegetarian – they’re pretty much the same thing, right? Well, yes and no. While both of these diets don’t involve consuming meat, there are some major differences between the two you need to be aware of.

It’s always a good idea to go back to the basics. So to start, let’s get our definitions of vegans vs. vegetarians straight.

According to the Vegetarian Society, a vegetarian is someone who does not include the following in their diet:

• Meat
• Fish (including shellfish)
• Poultry
• Insects
• Any by-products of animal slaughter

In other words, a vegetarian will not consume any food product that may have caused harm to an Animal.

On the other hand, vegans go one step further than most vegetarians.

According to the Vegan Society, veganism is defined as a lifestyle that involves the exclusion of all forms of cruelty and exploitation of animals.

The vegan diet is a whole new level of strict. Food that is in any way related to animals (natural or not) is completely avoided. So, you can forget buying clothes that have been made from lambswool or purchasing medicines and cosmetics that have been mixed with animal byproducts.

This means that vegans subscribe to a plant-based diet, and they also avoid all non-food items derived from animals.

The distinctions in the definitions of a vegan vs. a vegetarian may seem subtle at first, but once we get into the nitty-gritty details, you’ll see that the two practices have some major differences.

Vegan vs. Vegetarian: 4 Major Differences Between the Two

If you think about it, all vegans are vegetarian… but not all vegetarians are vegan. Does that make sense?

Well if not, don’t sweat it.

Once we go through the key differences between being vegan and vegetarian, you’ll see exactly what we mean.

1. Got Milk? Not if You’re Vegan.

So, does vegan mean dairy free? Here’s the simple rule of thumb:  if it comes from an animal, don’t offer it to a vegan.

Vegans are very strict when it comes to consuming any animal byproducts. Even if the food doesn’t cause the animal any harm, it still doesn’t fly for vegans.

So in addition to a meat-free diet, that means no dairy products, eggs, or even honey (after all it comes from hard-working bees!).

Vegan eating also dictates that they steer clear of animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, whey, pepsin, lactose, casein, and other similar items. In fact, some vegans will even avoid certain forms of Vitamin D3 because it’s sometimes made from an animal product, like sheep’s wool.

2. …But Vegetarians Have Milk (Probably)

Now, you may know some vegetarians in your life that may avoid some of the same things that vegans do. But generally speaking, a vegetarian isn’t going to avoid animal products to the same extent that a vegan will.

For example, many vegetarians will consume dairy products, eggs, honey, etc. because they don’t inherently cause harm to the animal.

That being said, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that the majority of farm animals raised in the U.S. are subject to the inhumane conditions of industrial farming – which most people would agree constitutes harm to animals.

As such, many vegetarians will look for certain labels when they shop to ensure that they are consuming ethically-produced animal byproducts.

But though many vegetarians will consume animal-derived products, there are a few different types of vegetarians:

• Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians: This type of vegetarians do not eat any animal flesh, but do consume egg and dairy products. This is perhaps the type of vegetarianism you’re most familiar with.
• Lacto Vegetarians: Those who eat dairy products, but stay away from meat and eggs
• Ovo Vegetarians: Those who eat eggs, but avoid all other animal products.

Veganism is also a type of vegetarianism, but it’s at the farthest, strictest end of the spectrum. So you see, all vegans are vegetarian, but not all vegetarians are vegan.

3. Veganism is a Lifestyle

Another key difference between vegans and vegetarians is the extent to which they avoid animal products in their lives.

I myself am not too much of a meat fan, The idea of animal slaughtering doesn’t sit right with me and well, I don’t particularly like eggs, but could I go as far as committing to a vegan lifestyle? Honestly…I don’t know if I’d have the motivation to go the whole way. One thing’s for sure; it takes some serious willpower and determination to live life as a vegan.

Vegetarians mainly limit the consumption of animal products in their diet, but not necessarily in other parts of their lives- so it’s definitely the easiest of the two.

Vegans, on the other hand, aim to avoid the exploitation of animals for any purpose.

That means:

• buying cruelty-free cosmetics,
• avoiding leather goods or fur clothing,
• not visiting zoos or going to horse races for entertainment,
• and the list goes on.

However, Vegan Society does not recommend that you avoid medication even if it was tested on animals or contains animal ingredients (especially if there are no suitable alternatives).

If this seems extreme to you, understand that veganism is centered around compassion. Vegans strongly believe that animals have a right to be free from human use and possible abuse, whether it’s for science, fashion, beauty, entertainment, or food. And when you think about it, it would be a much better world if everyone had the same attitude.

This compassion also extends to our planet, as many vegans believe the avoidance of animal products has the largest positive impact on the environment. You may never have considered this factor, but livestock farming has detrimental impacts on the amount of pollution and waste produced, as well as promoting the misery of animals by the way in which they’re raised in captivity and later, slaughtered.

In the next year alone, over 50 billion animals will be raised and slaughtered for food. Now, if that’s not a statement to make you stop and think about whether to turn vegan, I don’t know what will…

4. There Are Different Types of Vegans

Even though veganism is more of a lifestyle than just a diet, there are still a few different types of vegans. Here are a few terms you may hear thrown around:

• Ethical/Environmental Vegans: Ethical vegans are perhaps the most faithful to the movement, as they cut out all animal exploitation from their lifestyle. They practice vegan eating but also aim to end the exploitation of animals for ethical and environmental reasons. Their choices are based on cutting out animal products completely from their lifestyle (the clothes they wear, hobbies, or personal care products that have been tested on animals).
• Plant-Based Vegans: People who describe themselves as plant-based vegans often adopt this diet for personal health reasons – not ethical ones. They avoid processed foods (because there are still plenty of unhealthy foods that are vegan) and stick to stuff that grows in the ground. However, keep in mind that not all plant-based diets are vegan.
• Raw Vegans: Just like it sounds, these vegans do not eat any cooked or heated foods for health or spiritual reasons, but may still agree with the ethical reasons for being vegan.

Making the Switch to Veganism or Vegetarianism

If you’re currently on a meat-based diet, it can be nerve-wracking to make the transition to veganism or vegetarianism. After all, it’s probably completely different from any other diet you may have tried before.

So, where do you even start?

The tips below should allow you to get the ball rolling quickly in order to make the switch:

1. Change your favorite dishes

Sticking to a new diet means you have to enjoy the foods you’re eating. So, if you’re a little hesitant about the idea, transform your favorite dishes. Instead of using animal-based products, research plant-based alternatives. Chances are the ingredients you’re adding to your meals will have a vegan or vegetarian alternative.

2. Try it twice

Okay, so you may have hated trying the plant-based alternative first time around – but don’t give up. Your taste buds need time to adjust so don’t throw the towel in too soon. Try it again a few days or weeks down the line and see how you feel. You could also try another product and see how it compares taste-wise or try cooking it differently.

3. Try easy recipes

If you love to cook, you’ll have a field day trying new vegan and vegetarian recipes. You can either purchase a new cookbook that’ll become your kitchen bible, or have a browse online to see which recipes tickle your fancy.

Why Choose Vegan and Not Vegetarian?

The health benefits of following vegan and vegetarian eating are similar.

For example, if you follow an appropriately planned vegan or vegetarian diet that follows recommended nutrition guidelines (i.e. don’t just eat Oreos), you could potentially reduce your risk for chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes or cancer.

So then why go vegan and not vegetarian if the health benefits are similar?

Well, going vegan is a more holistic approach than vegetarianism. It has benefits beyond individual health. It incorporates ethical compassion for both animals and the environment. Veganism also avoids supporting all industries that exploit animals in every shape or form.

Now don’t get us wrong – it isn’t easy transitioning to either lifestyle. In fact, making the change should be a gradual process, which is why many people slowly start practicing vegetarian eating before moving onto vegan eating and living.

But both veganism and vegetarianism are very doable – especially nowadays thanks to a multitude of vegan and vegetarian cookbooks, guides on making the change, and easily-sourced products that adhere to vegan standards.

So if you’re thinking of making the switch to being vegan or vegetarian, don’t be nervous! It’s a rewarding decision and we’re here to help you through the transition.

Are you vegan or vegetarian? What are your reasons for being either?

Share your experiences in the comments below!

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