The term “vegetarian” has been around long enough that most people know what it means to be one, but “vegan” is still somewhat of a new term for a lot of folks. So, what’s the biggest difference between the two? Well, vegetarians don’t eat animals and neither do vegans, but here’s where they differ. In addition to not eating animals, vegans do not consume dairy, eggs or anything else that comes from animals. Vegans also don’t purchase anything that was tested on animals or made from animals.
If veganism or vegetarianism is something you’ve been considering, then you might be torn between the two. Obviously, there isn’t one right way to eat, but it all depends on what you’re willing and not willing to give up. You’ll also need to weigh the pros and cons of both diets.
Pros:
Cons:
“Some individuals may become vegetarian overnight, while others may gradually remove meat [from] their diet all at once, but either way has a great impact on your health,” explains Angela Ginn, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Baltimore, Maryland. “When choosing to become a vegetarian, [you must first] decide what type works best for your lifestyle. There are 4 different types: Vegan, lactovegetarian, lacto-ovovegetarian and flexitarian. A lacto-ovovegetarian diet excludes meat, poultry and fish but includes eggs and dairy products. Most vegetarians in the U.S. fall into this category.”
A lactovegetarian diet includes dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt but excludes eggs, whereas a flexitarian diet is plant-based with the occasional consumption of meat and a great way to ease into the vegetarian lifestyle. Worried about not getting enough vitamins and nutrients?
“[A lot of the essential] nutrients can be found in food or fortified in vegetarian products,” Ginn says. “The key to a healthy vegetarian lifestyle is to eat a wide variety of foods to include vegetables, fruit, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.”
The bottom line: Despite the benefits, a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle isn’t for everybody so talk with your doctor to see if adopting a plant-based diet is right for you.
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