There are over 7 million people in the United States that are vegetarian.
But what exactly does that mean? Are those who are vegans also vegetarians? And are vegetarians vegan?
If you’ve been thinking about changing your diet and going vegetarian, or if you’ve been thinking about becoming a vegan, this article will outline the key difference between vegetarian and vegan. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
Going Vegetarian
Going vegetarian means that you do not eat any meat, shellfish, poultry, fish, or any by-products of animal slaughter.
However, there are a few different types of vegetarian diets that can mix up being vegetarian and vegan. For instance, some vegetarians don’t eat eggs but will eat other dairy products.
For the most part, though, vegetarianism just means not eating meat in general.
So what does this mean for you? Do you know how to eat healthy as a vegetarian?
If you are not consuming meat, you need to make sure that you are getting your protein from different sources. You can add these to your diet to make sure you are getting sufficient nutrients:
- Nuts and legumes
- Beans
- Tofu
- Chia seeds
- Oats
- Sprouted grains
- Plant protein
By adding these into your diet, you are making sure that you get enough protein! If you need more meal ideas, go here.
Becoming a Vegan
Maybe you want to take it a step further than being a vegetarian. You may do this because you are taking a stand for your health, the environment, or even animal cruelty.
Either way, here’s what you need to know about being vegan.
Being vegan means that you are not only just excluding meat and animal by-products but also anything that comes from an animal like eggs, dairy like milk or yogurt, and others like the following:
- Whey
- Gelatin
- Pepsin
- Some Vitamin D3
If you are going to be strict with yourself about being a vegan, you have to read labels carefully as there are some ingredients that are not vegan (even in some vitamins and pills!).
How to Eat Healthy
While being vegetarian or vegan can be a very healthy option, there are ways to not be healthy with this diet.
Cooking with excess oil or fat, adding sugar to items, or eating highly processed foods will lead to making this lifestyle unhealthy.
You don’t want to make your diet mostly processed foods that claim to be vegetarian or vegan.
Focus on getting your fruits, vegetables, and sprouted grains to maintain a healthy diet! Trying to meal prep your meals at the start of the week can also ensure you are getting your nutrients and staying healthy.
Difference Between Vegetarian and Vegan
Now you know the difference between vegetarian and vegan diets. They are relatively close diets, but the vegan diet is much more extreme.
Depending on which one you choose, be sure to stay healthy with our tips!
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