Have you always wondered but were afraid to ask? We’re here to clear up the confusion.
You know someone who calls themselves vegetarian, but they eat fish. You also know a “vegan” who enjoys an occasional bite of chicken off their bf’s dinner plate. But don’t vegetarians avoid eating all animals? And don’t vegans also avoid eating animals? So, what’s the difference? Or are they the same? And are these people you know really vegetarian and vegan? Well, we’re here to help clear things up. The good news is that it’s not as complicated as it may at first seem. In the vegetarian vs. vegan debate, we’ve got answers.
What Can Vegetarians Eat?
This one is simple. Think about it like this. If food were alive and it could jump, flop, swim, slither, or fly off of your plate, then vegetarians wouldn’t eat it. Put another way, if it ever had a mother, it’s not a vegetarian food. And, yes, this means fish. A fish is an animal. Chicken is an animal. Vegetarians do not eat animals of any kind. So the “vegetarian” friend in the example above is a pescatarian. Pescatarians are like vegetarians, but they allow for fish in the diet. Otherwise, like vegetarians, they consume plant foods plus a few animal-derived products. This means no chicken, beef, pork, or others. But yes to eggs and dairy.
So, what can vegetarians eat? Well, they eat all kinds of plants. Think whole grains, beans, fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. They eat plant-derived foods like bean burritos, veggie-packed pizzas, pasta with marinara and plant-based meatballs, and black bean burgers. But they also eat animal products containing eggs and dairy. We’re talking cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and other foods derived from the milk of cows, goats, and other animals.
What Is the Reason for Being Vegetarian?
The primary reason individuals give for going vegetarian is that they no longer want to contribute to the death of animals. But many also choose to leave off eating meat for health and environmental reasons. Factory farming, for example, is a greater contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than all of the transportation industry combined. Also, studies have shown that going vegetarian can help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. These are great reasons, but to revisit the question, how is this different from a vegan diet? What are the rules for vegetarian vs. vegan?
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What Exactly Can Vegans Eat?
What can vegans eat then? Like vegetarians, vegans don’t eat any kind of animal. But they also eliminate eggs and dairy products from their diet. If food is sourced from animals at all, then vegans don’t eat it. This includes honey. In short, vegans consume only plant-based foods. This means donuts, lasagna, sandwiches, stir-fries, and other dishes made solely from plants. The vegan diet also includes meat and dairy alternatives like almond milk, coconut-based yogurt, chicken made from soy, beef made from mushrooms, and more.
Why Does Someone Choose to Be Vegan?
So, why does someone choose to be vegan? Well, generally people decide to go vegan for the same reasons other people decide to go vegetarian. They do it for the animals, for their health, or for the planet. Sometimes, all three of these play a role in the decision. Sure, some individuals simply don’t care for meat. But many times, people are concerned about the ethical consequences of their food choices, their cholesterol levels, or greenhouse gas emissions.
Also, while vegetarians are concerned mostly about their diet, vegans will generally carry their choices over into lifestyle decisions. Vegans, for example, will progress from just leaving animals out of their meals to eliminating them from their clothing and beauty products. They won’t wear silk, fur, or leather, all products derived from animals. They will purchase compassionate beauty products. Many cosmetics and skin care products contain dyes, gels, and other ingredients that come from animal parts. Vegans also avoid products that are tested on animals.
Is It Healthier to Go Vegan or Vegetarian?
Okay, then. Vegetarian vs. vegan: Is it healthier to go vegan or vegetarian? According to research in the field, following a plant-based diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, and others. While vegetarian diets have benefits over meat-centric diets, the consumption of eggs and dairy adds saturated fats and cholesterol to mealtimes, a risk factor for heart disease. So, while vegetarians do see health benefits when dropping animal-based meat from the diet, vegans enjoy optimal health benefits even over vegetarians.
