Vegan vs Vegetarian: The Choice Is Yours

If you’re a newbie to the world of Vegetarianism, then welcome! We’ve been waiting for you! Most folks who’ve devoted their life to maintaining a Vegan or vegetarian lifestyle and are already well-versed in the categories and characterizations of vegans and Vegetarians may wish to “turn the page.” This memo is not intended for you; rather, it is intended as a primer for those who just now considering taking that first step down the yellow brick road. Again, I say ‘Welcome!’

First off, a few basic definitions:

Vegetarian: A vegetarian is anyone who maintains a diet that excludes all meat products—beef, poultry, fish and shellfish. Those who also exclude dairy and eggs from their diet are called lacto-ovo or ovo-lacto vegetarians.

Vegan: A vegan not only avoids consumption of all animal products, including eggs and dairy, but also typically avoids wearing leather or any other products/materials made from animals such as wool, silk and down. In this capacity, vegans not only make a diet choice but they choose a more holistic life/lifestyle that expresses their compassion and moral conviction for the lives of all living animals.

Comparison of the Vegan vs Vegetarian Diet

Vegans neither consume meat of any kind, eggs, milk nor any food derived from animals.

Vegetarians do not eat meat or fish. They typically will consume dairy products,  and some will even consume eggs.

Variations of Vegetarian Types

The two broadest characterizations, as mentioned, are vegetarians and vegans. However, there are additional subsets. For example, a person who consumes dairy, eggs, poultry and fish but no other animal products is referred to as a semi-vegetarian. A person who is practically a vegan except that they consume eggs is called an ovo-vegetarian.  If that same ‘near-vegan’ consumed milk rather than eggs, they’d be called a lacto-vegetarian. 

Clearly, the decision to be a vegetarian or vegan is not so black-and-white. You will want to consider your nutritional needs and evaluate your moral position on the use and/or consumption of animal products. 

Important Note for Aspiring Vegans:  Nutritionally-speaking, vegans should take a B12 and amino acid supplement since the Vegan Diet does not include these essential nutrients.