What is the difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based diet? What is the difference between a vegan and a plant-based diet?
These two terms may seem similar (both are related to plant-based foods, correct? They are not the same. We’ll look at the two options and see how they differ so that you can decide what you prefer (if you do).
Vegan
Many people mistakenly believe that veganism is a particular diet. This is a common myth. Veganism is abstaining from all animal products. But it doesn’t stop there. Veganism is based on the belief that animals are not commodities but are individual forms of living. Humans cannot treat these creatures as mere materials for goods and food.
Vegans don’t use leather, fur, or cosmetics made from animal products (e.g., honey, gelatin, dairy, etc.). This lifestyle involves choosing animal-free products, including food, in all areas of your life.
Plant-Based Diet
The difference between a vegan diet and a plant-based one is not so obvious. Plant-based dieters avoid animal products and ingredients like dairy, eggs, milk, fish, and poultry. Their meals are also based on plant-derived foods.
Plant-based dieters focus on unprocessed or minimally-processed whole foods. Vegans, however, can indulge in plant-derived but less-than-healthy foods such as french fries or chips. This diet primarily concerns personal health, so white flour, excessive oil, and refined sugar are prohibited. This option uses whole, healthy, and precise products as the primary food source.
We can compare the plant-based lifestyle with vegetarianism and veganism to see how they differ. Remember this small tip:
- Veganism is about being ethical.
- Plant-based eating is healthier.
These two “opposite poles” are only a general trend. Some vegans are concerned about their health, abstaining from processed food, while others who follow a plant-based lifestyle also consider their ethical choices.
It may take some time to choose what’s right for you. Consider your motivation. Is it ethical concerns, or is it a desire to be healthier? It’s beautiful if you are concerned about both! Don’t be afraid to experiment and start small. You’ll gain many new experiences and try delicious foods along the way.
