Vegan Vs. Vegetarian : What's the Difference?

Did you know 13% of Americans classify themselves as Vegetarian or Vegan? However, people who are new to the meatless lifestyle often get the two confused. Which one consumes some type of meat and which one doesn't?

The simple answer is neither. Vegetarians do not consume any animal products, but some eat eggs and dairy products. However, a vegan excludes all animal products and consume plant based diets to get the proper nutrients they need.

So, lets break down the difference between the two in the simplest way possible.

What does the vegan diet consist of ?

As mentioned earlier, vegans only consume plant based diets. It’s safe to say that most vegans avoid processed foods as well. In fact, vegans do not eat anything made with gelatin. Why? Because most gelatin products are made from animal bones. Therefore, vegans have to be creative with their diet choices. Luckily, there are many healthy and delicious choices for vegans. Vegans have a wide selection of:

Legumes
Leafy greens
Organic fruit
Vegan meat alternatives
Nuts
Whole grains

It's no secret that a vegan diet has many benefits. There have been numerous studies that showed a diet rich in plant based foods can:

Reduce the risk of heart disease
Reduce cholesterol levels
Boost immunity

So, what does a vegetarian diet consist of?

In a nutshell, the vegetarian diet is quite similar to the vegan diet, but some vegetarians consume dairy products. While it’s not highly favored, some who classify themselves as vegetarians also eat poultry and fish on occasions.

Like the vegan diet, a vegetarian diet has promising benefits. There have been numerous studies that have reported that a vegetarian diet can do the following: