Losing weight, choosing a healthier lifestyle, religious beliefs or out of respect for animals, there are many reasons why people choose to be vegan or vegetarian. Of course, there are a lot of other arguments that lead people to make this particular choice. Health is one of the arguments. However, we do not ask “why” but rather “what” makes someone choose a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
General
If you are vegetarian, your diet includes a rich diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains, which in turn are healthy for the heart and body. In addition to physical properties, it also has a positive influence on people’s emotional, psychological and mental health. In contrast to these health reasons, there are also people who choose to live a strict vegan lifestyle for ethical and environmental reasons and many others. Many people assume that there is not really a difference between the two diets. To help you understand the actual difference between the two, we will explain the definitions briefly.
Definitions
Many don’t know what it means to be vegetarian or vegan. Of course, there are specific dietary restrictions that a person must follow. However, the line between what it includes and what is prohibited seems blurry. The following definitions will clear up this blur of a vegan versus vegetarian diet.
Vegetarianism
This seems very simple to understand but there are many layers to vegetarianism. By definition, people who eat a vegetarian diet abstain from any form of meat products (red meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, products derived from animal slaughter) but do consume dairy and egg products. This diet also includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. Besides the health reasons that lead people to adopt such a form of life, vegetarianism is also provoked due to ethical, religious, political and cultural reasons. Although the concept of vegetarianism is quite clear around the world, it is still divided into different subcategories.
Pescatarian
A pescatarian is someone who abstains from eating all types of meat and food made from animal flesh. This does not apply to the consumption of fish. Fish, crustaceans and shellfish are included in the diet, as are vegetables, nuts, fruit, grains, beans, dairy products and eggs. Although the term “pescatarian” is not used openly and is still relatively unknown, it is still adhered to by many people in the hope of eventually becoming vegetarian.
Flexitarian or Semi-vegetarian
It sounds funny to hear someone say that he/she is a semi-vegetarian but yet this term is quite popular. A new term for “almost” vegetarians, describes those who adhere to a largely vegetarian diet but still sometimes eat meat. This diet is very flexible, but most semi-vegetarians stick to fish and chicken (no red meat).
Lacto vegetarian
This form of vegetarianism describes people who do not eat eggs, beef, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish and other animal products. As the name suggests , “lacto” means milk in Latin, the basic consumption of these people comes from eating dairy products. This includes milk, cheese, butter, cream and yogurt.
Ovo vegetarian
“Ovo” means egg in Latin, hence the diet consists of eggs, while avoiding the consumption of meat and dairy products. The eggs preferably come from free animals rather than battery cages.
Ovo-lacto vegetarian
When you combine a lacto-vegetarian and an ovo-vegetarian diet you get an ovo-lacto vegetarianism diet. This includes the consumption of milk, butter, cheese, eggs and other dairy products.
Veganism
Veganism is by far the strictest subcategory of vegetarianism. Apart from veganism as a way of life it also covers philosophical arguments. A vegan diet also known as pure and completely vegetarian diet involves the strict abstinence from the use of animal products, this applies to food, clothing and others. Dairy and egg products and processed foods such as gelatin are also excluded. Any type of raw vegan diet consists of unprocessed vegan food that has been heated above 50°C before being consumed. The most common reasons that drive vegans are health, ethical, moral, environmental, spiritual and religious values. This, coupled with animal rights and welfare issues.
Macrobiotic vegan
This sub-category of vegetarianism is better placed under the term veganism. This means that you only consume unprocessed vegan foods, whole grains, sea vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans, naturally processed foods and vegetables. Occasionally there is fish on the menu.
Health benefits
If you are wondering how to choose between the two lifestyles, the following list of health benefits per diet may help you.
Vegetarianism
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and seizures
- Longer lifespan compared to those who consume meat
- Helps with weight loss
- Less chance of diabetes
- Helps prevent gallbladder problems and gallstones
Veganism
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Healthier heart due to less fat and cholesterol in the diet
- Lowers high blood pressure
- Helps in the fight against type 2 diabetes
- Prevents breast cancer, age-related mascular degeneration, arthritis, cataracts and osteoporosis
