While both of these terms seem new, and granted the term vegan might be newish, vegetarian is for sure not a new term or philosophy. Vegetarianism has notably been around since the earliest of times and is a key factor in some religions as well, like Hinduism. So back to one of the most popular questions that is asked these days, what is the difference between veganism and vegetarianism and if you are thinking of making the switch: veganism or vegetarian?
Vegan vs. Vegetarian
In the most basic sense, vegetarians don’t eat animals, and that includes fish and all other sea animals as well. So vegetarian nutrition includes a completely animal-free diet. Then depending on the type of vegetarian, they consume or do not consume dairy products and eggs. Vegans however are different in the case that they not only rely on meatless options for food but also, vegans live a completely plant-based lifestyle which means that they not only have a dairy-free diet but also it is an egg-free lifestyle. Like Vegetarians, there is no one absolute way to be vegan, some vegans choose to consume other animal by-products like honey and gelatine while some do not, and it all depends on the differences in ethical considerations. In essence both of these diets are about making ethical food choices where no animals are slaughtered or harmed in any way for food purposes.
Proper Diet PlanningResearch shows that both of these diets are low in bad fats like saturated fats that can lead to cholesterol. But the important point here is that whether you are planning on a plant based diet or a vegetarian diet, you need to have a proper diet plan that makes sure all your needs are met. When planning vegan and vegetarian meal ideas, it should be taken into consideration that if the recipe calls for it, proper dairy substitutes and egg alternatives are used and not just eliminated from the meal. When properly planned both these diets have been found to be full of fibres, vitamins, minerals and nutrient dense. When poorly planned, research has showed that these diets can take a toll on the body because of the low intakes of some essential vitamins and minerals.
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Benefits of Veganism and Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism benefits the environment as well as having a positive impact on mental wellbeing. The environmental impact of veganism and vegetarianism is a big reason for why people have shifted towards these options recently and while there are always vegan and vegetarian myths about what could happen after shifting to this lifestyle, most of them are unfounded. For most vegans and some vegetarians, these diets extend to not just food but their life where they don’t buy clothes or view entertainment that has a part in hurting animals. Of course both of these lifestyles are hard but then what in life worth working on isn’t? The most important thing about following these lifestyles is taking care of yourself because these vegan and vegetarian meals have to be properly planned to avoid complications in the long term. Before starting on any of these diets, a doctor or dietician consultancy is a good idea.