What’s The Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian?

The Real Answer Might Surprise You

Photo by Pavel Bondarenko from Pexels

What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian?

Well, first of all, I’m going to tell you how this question has traditionally been answered, before giving you my own answer, which is very… very… different to the traditional answer.

I’ll then explain why I have deviated so radically in my own answer from the one that is generally trotted out.

So, traditionally, when asked, “What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian?” people have tended to reply with something along the lines of:

Vegetarians don’t eat meat but they do consume dairy products and eggs, while vegans don’t consume any animal products whatsoever

Variations of this definition abound, including:

Vegetarians eat a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and eggs. Vegetarians who also don’t eat eggs, dairy or any other animal products, are called vegans

and:

Vegans and vegetarians choose not to eat meat. However, veganism is stricter and also prohibits dairy, eggs, honey, and any other items that derive from animal products, such as leather and silk.