What is Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan?

(Last Updated On: April 14, 2020)

So what exactly is the Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan? While you may think they are the same, they aren’t. Discover the Difference Between being Vegetarian and Vegan.

What is Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan?

The words sound similar. The lifestyles are pretty similar. But there is a difference. Right? Is Vegetarian Vegan? Or is Vegan Vegetarian? The fact of the matter is that vegan and vegetarian are similar, yet two different diet options. So, let’s discuss what it means to be a vegan and what it means to be a vegetarian.

What is Vegetarian?

There are different levels of being vegetarian, for example, some refuse to eat anything to do with animal flesh, but will eat eggs. This difference is why vegan does fall under the extreme version of a vegetarian diet. An average vegetarian will simply not consume the flesh of animals but may eat eggs that technically come from an animal.

The simple way to describe how vegetarians eat is that they tend to consume products that you can grow yourself or buy in the produce section but won’t consume meat or poultry.

What is Vegan?

A vegan is often viewed as a stricter form of the vegetarian lifestyle. The vegan lifestyle doesn’t allow use or consumption of anything that may pose a threat to animals. This means health and beauty products that do any testing on animals is off limits as well as any food that comes from an animal, so beef, poultry, and seafood is off the list and so are eggs.

The best way to describe how vegans eat and live is that they will not consume or buy anything that is a by-product of an animal.

Is Vegan Vegetarian?

The simple answer is, yes. Some may argue with the fact that vegan is vegetarian but the truth is that vegans are an extension of vegetarianism. Vegans take vegetarianism to a whole new level by making certain that they don’t consume or purchase anything that may exploit animals or encourage cruelty to animals. Vegans are more conscious of what goes into and on their bodies as a means to support better treatment of animals in the world.

Vegetarians who don’t fall under the vegan category will not be as extreme about their consumption or purchase of animal by-products, such as eggs.  Both lifestyles enjoy their fruits, vegetables and nuts as healthy fats and protein.  In fact, you can find a lot of vegan products online and in stores now.  Both lifestyles are becoming more and more popular.

What about honey? Is honey vegan?

This is a popular question that people ask when it comes to the vegan diet, is honey vegan? The answer is that most vegans do not consume honey. As I mentioned, vegans are against humans use of animals and honey comes from an animal, right? This question is controversial among those who live a vegan lifestyle, as honey technically comes from an animal, even though a bee is an insect, so some vegans will say honey is vegan while others will say it is not. I say it’s up to you whether or not you feel honey is vegan. It’s your chosen lifestyle and your choice.

The simple answer is that vegans are not vegetarian per se, but they are an extension of the vegetarian diet choice. Vegans tend to be against any human use of animals whereas a vegetarian is fine with eggs and non-cruel forms of animal use by humans. So if you’re thinking about going vegan or vegetarian it will come down to knowing what you prefer to eat regularly and what you’re willing to give up as a means to be a vegan or vegetarian.

I hope that helped solve the question What is Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan for you. I know it helped me!

Looking for a delicious vegetarian recipe?

Cucumber Salad with Homemade Spicy Vinaigrette Dressing

Be sure to check out all my healthy lifestyle tips and recipes and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more fitness motivation tips.