Vegan and Vegetarian - The Similarities and Differences

Differences between Vegans and Vegetarians

There are more differences between vegans and vegetarians than there are similarities. Whereas vegans do not eat all animal products, including dairy products such as cheese and yogurt and any part of the egg, vegetarians sometimes consume daily products such as the white of an egg. Whereas most vegetarians avoid animal products because of health issues, cultural or religious reasons, dietary needs and/or simple preference among other reasons, vegans avoid animal products because of humane reasons and as a lifestyle choice – they are so humane that they do not even wear products that come from animals either directly or indirectly such as leather, silk, wool, etc. This difference is brought out in the definition of vegans and vegetarians. Vegetarians, by definition, are individuals who do not eat meat products where as vegans are individuals who do not eat any animal products.  

Vegans believe strongly that animals are not supposed to be exploited by man and they believe commercialization of animals, such as placing animals in zoos, is inhumane. Vegans also believe that if all the land that is used to graze cattle, (we have two cows for every two people in the world today), is used to produce food, there would be no world hunger because cattle consume more proteins in their food that they give out in their meat and milk. Vegans are not just against the killing and commercialization of animals, they are also against cruelty to animals. They are opposed to all forms of testing, be it in medical research labs or testing for cosmetics. They are against people keeping pets and they are very vocal when it comes to matters of cruelty to animals such as dog fights. In most places, they are usually the biggest contributors to animal shelters and humane societies. Most vegetarians are not as vocal on these issues because they consume some products from animals such as leather belts and fur. Most vegetarians do not have a problem with keeping pets. 

A major difference between vegans and vegetarians is the strictness with which they follow their diets. Vegetarians sometimes eat meat, secretively or in public, whereas a vegan would never eat meat. It is easier to turn a vegetarian than it is to turn a vegan. Vegans are more likely to be armed with statistics about why humans were made to eat plants and not meat.

Another difference between vegans and vegetarians is that vegetarian is a general term used to describe those who do not eat meat, but vegan is a term used to describe a more specific group of people who do not eat any animal product. The different categories of vegetarians include the vegans, the lacto-vegetarians are vegetarians who consume milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt and do not consume eggs and the lacto-ovo vegetarians consume daily products and eggs. Semi-vegetarians are individuals who are vegetarians, but who sometimes poultry and/or fish, either secretly or public. Most do not eat meat, but some do on special occasions such as when they are out at diner, during holidays, etc. Almost all vegetarians consume honey and yeast, but most vegans do not.

 Similarities between Vegans and Vegetarians

Other than the fact that both names start with ‘v’, the most notable similarity between vegans and vegetarians is that most of them do not consume red meat, they do not eat poultry and poultry products and they do not eat seafood.

Although the reasons do vary, in most cases, health is the main reason people become vegans and vegetarians. This is because of the many health benefits that vegans and vegetarians diet, (which are similar apart from milk and eggs) brings. Both vegans and vegetarians diets are able to protect an individual from different forms of cancer since foods such as herbs, vegetables and fruits have phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and ellagic acids which are cancer-protective. Vegans and vegetarians diets have polyphenolic antioxidants and soluble fiber and they are low in saturated fats and cholesterol, which prevent cardiovascular diseases. Vegans and vegetarians diets are low in salt and are rich in potassium, effectively reducing the chances of high blood pressure and hypertension. Vegans and vegetarians diets have complex carbohydrates and high levels of fiber that help in the control of diabetes. Vegans and vegetarians diets eliminate toxins that are already in the body and they do not help in any addition of toxins because they are usually organic. Vegans and vegetarians diets are easier to digest and therefore reduce the risk of weakening of the digestive system that is caused by meat and the risk of stomach and intestinal cancer.

Vegans and vegetarians are both likely to be active in fight for animal rights and they all contribute to humane societies and animal shelters. They are also more active in initiatives to save the environment against such things as global warming.