Are you still wondering about the difference between vegetarian and vegan diets?  If so, you’re definitely not alone.  There is so much information out there that it can be difficult to discover the facts.

Understanding the Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

The difference between vegetarian and vegan diets is something that has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years, as both these types of eating strategy have been around for that long.  Cultural, religious, and personal fascinations with food have caused different forms of plant- and animal-based diets to develop over the centuries.

We’ve reached yet another point in history when the difference between vegetarian and vegan diets has become more important again.  Consumers have never had more options available to them to form their own dietary styles with preferences and beliefs to guide them.

Why Learn the Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

Whether you’re trying to learn the difference between vegetarian and vegan diets for the sake of understanding or whether you are considering a plant-based diet of your own, here are the basics to help you to get to know what each term means.

Key Differences Between Plant-Based Diets

Plant-based diets include a broad spectrum of terms, definitions and rules.  Reasoning behind making the choices aside, there are certain terms based on which food are consumed and which ones are not.

Veganism

Vegan diets are usually the most plant-based end of the spectrum. Typically speaking, someone who is vegan won’t consume any foods that are made from or by animals.  This includes everything from meat, poultry, and fish, as well as milk, other dairy products, honey, or gelatin.

Vegetarianism

On the other hand, a vegetarian diet is primarily plant-based, but there are certain animal-based products or by-products that are consumed. Essentially, vegetarian diets vary by their exclusions.  There are different terms within the vegetarianism category that help to describe what is included in the individual’s diet.  Most – though not all – vegetarians would consume by-products such as eggs, gelatin and honey.

Types of Vegetarian Diets

There are five primary classes of vegetarian diets.  While there are practically an infinite number more in terms of the finer details, these are the main vegetarian diets.  They are:

1. Ovo-lacto-pescatarian – People following this type of eating strategy will eat eggs, dairy and fish. That said, they avoid beef, pork, poultry and other meat products.
2. Ovo-lacto-vegetarian – People following this type of eating strategy will eat eggs and dairy products, but avoid beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish and other meat products.
3. Ovo-vegetarian – People following this type of diet will eat eggs but avoid beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, dairy, and other meat products.
4. Lacto-vegetarian – People following this type of diet will eat dairy but avoid beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, and other meat products.
5. Vegan – People who follow veganism will eat only plant-based products. They will not eat animal products or animal by-products.

There are other specifics within each of these categories, but these are the largest and most common types of difference between a vegetarian and vegan diet.