What is “vegan”? What is plant-based? And what is the difference between them? These are the TOP questions that most vegans get asked by friends, family and vegan-curious strangers lurking in our DM’s. These questions can quickly become annoying. Not because of the repetition of the sudden curiosity but that it’s not a simple answer.
Some people identify as vegans while others would call themselves plant-based. Some people claim they are vegan but, in actuality, their behavior mirrors a plant-based diet lifestyle (shhh they don’t know it yet). We at Chew & Lush dived a little deeper into the controversy vegan vs plant-based to give you answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Yes – 1st glance, these terms seem interchangeable due to the association to health. After a closer look, it’s easy to realize that adopting a plant-based and vegan diet is not one and the same. For example – a person, who is a vegan, can enjoy a plate of plant-based pasta. While a person who is on a plant-based diet may not be considered a “vegan”.
Let’s unpack the meanings of these terms and understand the differences as well as their similarities.
Veganism is a lifestyle. Plant-Based is a diet.
A plant-based diet mostly consists of plants. A plant-based lifestyle is for people that choose to eat a 100% diet of just plants. ONLY PLANTS. In addition, there are a group of plant-based dieters that will allow a small amount of animal products in their meal (usually dairy products).
The vegan diet ultimates all animal products. No meat, no dairy, no honey – nada. In addition and most importantly, veganism is morally against the exploitation of animals. Most people think it’s all about not eating meat but there is much more to this trending lifestyle.
What is “Vegan”?
The term “vegan” was already conceived in 1944. A gentleman named Donald Watson defined the term that would describe eliminating all types of animal products for ethical reasons in society.
A vegan lifestyle, according to this animal rights activist, is to sustain from using or consuming all animal products as well as exploiting animals for entertainment (i.e. circus, zoo, etc). As you can see, the original concept of veganism was aimed to protect animals.
Over time the original animal rights message faded away. More and more people adopted the vegan diet to improve their health and the environment. It’s true that a lot of vegan warriors are doing it for dietary reasons but if you really get past the “green” surface – most people have chosen this lifestyle to protect the lives and rights of animals.
Is there a difference between “Vegan” & Veganism?
We’ve already learnt what the definition of “vegan” is. However, veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. According to this text-book definition of veganism, the answer is pretty simple: a vegan is a person that follows and applies that philosophy in their everyday life.
In addition, vegans don’t wear furs, leather or wool. Also, they are morally against the exploitation conducted in zoos, aquariums, or scientific animal testing. In today’s society, living a vegan lifestyle isn’t easy. Luckily most contemporary brands are creating vegan versions of most of our everyday products from vegan leather shoes to vegan cosmetics. Besides all the moral choices one must make in a day to make the world a better place to live, the term “vegan” is a trigger word.
Do you love searching and double-tapping every vegan meme insight on IG? If yes (like us), you probably witness people bashing vegans in the comment section. If not, I’m sure you have seen a person cringe as soon as someone talks about how bad it is to consume everything that they think tastes good.
Why do people get so upset at vegans and this lifestyle? The answer is… most people do not want to change their eating (or fashion) habits and unaware of the animal cruelty which occurs behind closed doors. Even if they are aware of how these innocent animals are being treated, most find it extremely hard to give up the foods and traditional products that they have grown to love.
What is “Plant-Based”?
Unlike a vegan diet, a vegetable-based diet focuses on health rather than ethics. Plant-based diets are more than just eating veggies. Along with a healthy amount of vegetables this diet includes many vital yet delectable food groups. Nuts, seeds, grains and fresh fruits act as the co-stars to this wholesome ensemble.
The plant-based community is much more forgiving and flexible than their vegan cousin. As it should be avoided in this diet, some plant-based diets can include animal products like eggs, milk, fish and even meat.
As long as the vegetables are the centerpiece of the meal, the main actor, adding animal products is widely accepted. Eating healthy is the concept and if the side-effect helps save the planet – bravo!
Not everyone chooses to add meat to their salad for extra protein. There is a plant-based purest group too. It is called the whole food plant-based diet. This diet solely focuses on organic whole, unrefined, unprocessed natural foods. Basically, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and legumes. Avoiding consuming all processed foods from bleached sugar to canned tomatoes. People who chose this diet often tend to remove animal products from their diet. This diet is very much like the vegan diet – without adopting the actual lifestyle.
Similar yet different
Obviously, both of these diets’ priority is a healthy diet. Everything that grows out of the ground and doesn’t have a heartbeat is the cornerstone. Where the divide occurs is when animal rights, exploitation and consumption are involved. Vegans are more concerned with the planet’s well-being than their actual diet. Not just caring about the environment but empathizing with all living beings.
For the most part, the vegan diet is more like a lifestyle. While the plant-based diet promotes a healthy lifestyle without adding guilt. At the end of the day, these choices depend on the individual. Regardless of which diet fits your way of life, both diets exercise tremendous dedication and loyalty to become the best version of you.
