Knowing The Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian

Vegans and vegetarians are often associated with not eating animal-based foods. But in reality these two things are different.

Vegan and vegetarian diets are usually undertaken for health, environmental, or faith reasons. If we want to stop eating animal foods, then it would be good to understand the difference between vegans and vegetarians.

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Definition of Vegetarian

Vegetarianism is a diet where one does not consume animal foods, such as beef, poultry, mutton, pork and some seafood, such as fish and shellfish.

A vegetarian diet consists of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. Vegetarians also eat some types of mushrooms.

There are several classifications of vegetarian diets, which are:

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarian, which is a diet that excludes red meat, poultry meat, and fish, but consumes eggs, milk and dairy products, including cheese and yoghurt

• Lacto-vegetarian, which is a diet that excludes red meat, poultry meat, fish, and eggs, but consumes milk and dairy products

• Ovo-vegetarian, which is a diet that excludes all foods of animal origin and their derivatives, but makes an exception for eggs

Definition of Vegan

Vegan is a type of vegetarian but with stricter restrictions. Some people even call Vegan an extreme form of Vegetarian. Not only do they limit their food but their lifestyle is also affected, such as clothing selection, cosmetics or other purposes. Even foodstuffs consisting of gelatin, honey, whey, casein, and albumin, as well as some types of supplements made from or containing fish or other animal oils are avoided.

The Differences Between Vegetarian and Vegan

Basically, people who live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle both choose a plant-based diet. However, some people on a vegetarian diet still consume dairy or eggs.

People who live a vegetarian lifestyle are against killing animals for food. However, they consider the consumption of animal by-products, such as milk and eggs, acceptable as long as the animals are kept in good conditions.

Meanwhile, people who live a vegan lifestyle believe that animals have the right to be free, whether from being consumed or from any other use by humans. Therefore, they also try not to wear animal by-products, such as clothing made from silk, wool, or animal skin.

Vegan and Vegetarian Benefits and Risks

Vegetarian and vegan diets have many positive health effects. These diets are also known to reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as:

• Cardiovascular disease, including stroke and high blood pressure (hypertension)

• Diabetes

• Cancer, such as colon cancer and stomach cancer

• Diverticulitis

In addition, plant-based diets, whether vegan or vegetarian, are also known to be good for weight loss and maintaining ideal body weight so as to prevent obesity. Vegan and vegetarian diets are also good for preventing high cholesterol.

However, vegan and vegetarian diets also pose a risk of health problems, such as anemia and protein deficiency. This is because both diets prohibit people who live on them from getting food intake from animal sources.

In fact, animal-derived foods, such as meat and fish, are one of the important sources of protein and iron to prevent anemia and protein deficiency.

Therefore, if you plan to become vegan or vegetarian, make sure your daily nutritional needs are still met, especially protein, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. You should also discuss with your doctor if you want to adopt this diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

To reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies, adopt a healthy vegetarian diet to keep your body healthy. If you have certain medical conditions, you should consult your doctor before adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet.