Although there is a lot of differentiation between being vegan and being a vegetarian, society still doesn’t seem to know the difference.

When asked, people that are uneducated about the difference of the two, refer to veganism and vegetarianism as one in the same thing. There are, however, many differences between the two and if you’re not either one, you might not think too much the importance thereof either, but for others, both types of diets are extremely important for individual reasons.

First, both veganism and vegetarianism, are great diets to lose weight, even more so when people choose to implement it as a lifestyle, rather than a diet.

Both can also be implemented in people’s lives for bigger reasons than weight loss and health benefits, and that is why vegans are often taken more seriously than vegetarians. It is because their lifestyle mimics their beliefs, which includes respecting animals more than those who consume their meat or products made from them, such as dairy or animal products.

The Difference is Quite Simple.

Differentiating between the two is quite simple. Vegans eat no animals, nor animal products whatsoever, while vegetarians don’t eat animals either, but still consume their products, such as eggs and dairy.

Vegans tend to believe that even being a vegetarian, still harms animals, while vegetarians don’t acknowledge the idea at all.

The Vegetarian Lifestyle

There are four types of vegetarianism.

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians – This is the most common type of vegetarian and is a lifestyle that has no restriction to dairy products and eggs. This type of vegetarian isn’t allowed any meat, seafood, or poultry.

– This is the most common type of vegetarian and is a lifestyle that has no restriction to dairy products and eggs. This type of vegetarian isn’t allowed any meat, seafood, or poultry. Lacto Vegetarians – Vegetarians who consume dairy products, with the exception of meat, eggs, poultry, as well as seafood.

– Vegetarians who consume dairy products, with the exception of meat, eggs, poultry, as well as seafood. Ovo Vegetarians – Vegetarians who consume eggs, but no dairy products, poultry, meat or seafood.

– Vegetarians who consume eggs, but no dairy products, poultry, meat or seafood. Pesco Vegetarians – Also known as pescatarians, this type is a typical vegetarian but consumes fish and seafood. Pescatarians don’t consume meat or poultry.

The Vegan Lifestyle

Contrary to a few types of vegetarians, there is only one type of vegan. Vegans all follow the same diet-rules and view it as a lifestyle, which they take very seriously.

Since being vegan doesn’t allow one to consume any animal, nor animal product, including honey, it is an extreme challenge to live by.

Considering that there are so many sources of animal product, especially dairy, added to food these days, vegans must be especially careful not to consume any of it. Visiting a restaurant, for instance, is also incredibly difficult, unless there are vegan-specific meals on the menu, or you’re visiting a vegan-specific restaurant.

A Healthier Lifestyle?

Whether being a vegan or vegetarian is considered healthier than the regular Mediterranean diet, is bias. If veganism or vegetarianism isn’t done correctly, with the help of added supplements, such as vitamin B12, or a balanced diet that allows you to receive all the nutrients you need, both could influence your health.

When done properly, however, it can have massive health benefits and help you maintain your weight much more easily, all while fighting off diseases and prevent free radicals and illness from thriving in your body.