What is being vegan and how is it different from being vegetarian?

Surely you are wondering, what is being vegan and what is being vegetarian , is there a difference between these two groups? The truth is that there are practices that differentiate one from the other. If you want to know more about it, keep reading!

What is being vegan?

The word "vegan" was born in the 19th century when individuals who did not eat dairy products and eggs were called "total vegetarian", as well as those who avoided the use of animals for any type of consumption.

A vegan person is defined as an individual who rejects the acquisition and use of products or elements that are of animal origin . It is a lifestyle that establishes discarding practices in all forms of cruelty and animal exploitation, to obtain clothes, food, among others.

Therefore, they do not include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, honey, beeswax, animal by-product ingredients and gelatins in their diet . In addition, they do not wear garments that are made with elements of animal origin, such as leather, silk or lada.

Principles of veganism

Being vegan is not following a trend, nor is it just changing the foods you eat. Veganism exists to raise awareness about animal exploitation and the cruelty that animals experience to obtain various products from different areas of life. We tell you about its principles below:

Feeding

The vegan diet is completely free of meat, as well as free of foods that use animal abuse or exploitation during their production.

It is likely that some of the products you use are made with components of animal origin, such as milk or animal fats. For this reason, we recommend that you read the ingredients of the products you consume before buying them.

Clothes and Fashion

Being vegan means stopping wearing clothes that are made of materials such as fur, feathers, silk, wool, among other elements that come from animals. Currently, there is a wide variety of accessories and clothing that is produced with these resources, especially fast fashion clothing. Therefore, if your goal is to start this lifestyle, you must choose vegan clothing and sustainable clothing .

Clotsy Brand , for example, is a brand that offers various completely vegan and conscious garments, made with fabrics that do not harm the planet. Offering pants, sweatshirts, socks, among others.

Hygiene products

Do not use products that have been tested on animals and are composed of ingredients of animal origin. Some of the products can be toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, body creams, detergents, deodorants, among others.

Transport

Veganism repudiates the use of transport that requires animals for its transfer, such as carousels, which are used with the help of horses, mules, donkeys, among others.

Environment

Not constantly eating meat is a decision that takes care of the environment, due to the large amounts of water and food that are needed to obtain only 1 kilo of meat.

What does a vegan eat?

The vegan diet consists of replacing foods that come from animals with vegetables. If it is true that this change can present complications due to essential nutrients, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium and calcium. Therefore, it is important to consider taking vitamin supplements or establishing an efficient eating plan that covers all the necessary nutrients.

Next, we will address what a vegan person should eat:

Calcium: To cover dairy foods, they should consume fortified soy milk, hazelnut, almonds, broccoli, sesame seeds, sprouts, spinach, and turnips. In addition, it is essential that they consume vitamin D, since it is essential to maintain calcium.

Proteins: opt for legumes such as soybeans and their derivatives, beans, peas, chickpeas, peanuts, quinoa, rice, barley, wheat and corn. They can also consume nuts such as walnuts and almonds, as well as sunflower and hemp seeds.

Iodine: Iodine is found in shellfish and fish, however, it is not common in some vegetables, so you should opt for fortified salts.

Essential fatty acids: they consume them through various oils such as chia oil, flaxseed, rosehip, clary sage, canola and peanut oil. In addition, you can also find it in raspberries, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Iron: they obtain it through various foods such as black molasses, beans, quinoa, beans and lentils. In addition, they can also consume it in foods that contain vitamin C, such as cauliflower and citrus fruits.

What is being a vegetarian?

It is defined as an individual who does not eat food that comes from animals , that is, does not consume chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, among others. However, a vegetarian person may eat fish, but also may not. In addition, it is important to note that it does consume food produced by animals , such as eggs, honey, milk, among others.

Types of Vegetarians

There are various types of vegetarians due to the philosophy of animal rights, respect for nature and ecology. Therefore, very few cases of vegetarians implement this lifestyle for nutrition. In addition, each person chooses the option that best suits them depending on their needs.

The types of vegetarians that exist are the following:

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: they do not eat fish, chicken, or red meat, however, they do eat dairy products and eggs.

• Lacto-vegetarian: They do not eat red meat, fish, eggs and chicken, however they do eat dairy products.

• Ovo-vegetarianism: they repudiate chicken, dairy products, red meat and fish, however, they eat eggs.

• Apivegetarian: they feed on plant products and use honey as the only food of animal origin.

• Frugivorismo: they only consume fruits that fall or are about to fall from their plant of origin. Therefore, they eat food that is harvested without harming the life of the plant. The frugivorous diet consists only of culinary fruits, seeds, and nuts, although some do not consume the seeds.

• Granivorians: this type of vegetarian does not eat any type of meat or food that comes from animals, so they only eat grain foods.

• Flexitarian: This type of vegetarian at home eats totally vegetarian food, but at the home of his friends and family he is flexible, so he eats meat without any problem.

• Pescetarian: they repudiate chicken and red meat, but they do consume eggs, dairy products and fish.

• Chickentarian: They eat plant-based foods, but if they need to increase their protein intake, include chicken in their meal. However, they do not eat pork or beef.

What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian?

The main difference is the lifestyle, since veganism does not consume or support any type of negative process or product that has been tested on animals. In addition to promoting the use of cosmetics and vegan fashion.

The vegetarian lifestyle is based on eating food produced by animals, such as eggs, milk and honey. However, some vegetarians have no problem wearing animal-derived clothing, despite not consuming their meat.

Another difference that exists between vegan and vegetarian is that veganism promotes the manufacture of products and elements, without using resources of animal origin for their production.

Both options are alternatives that promote a more responsible and sustainable lifestyle, in order to protect the environment.

How can you find sustainable products and be more responsible?

There are several brands that offer vegan products, such as Clotsy Brand , a brand that offers vegan clothing and conscious fashion, made with fabrics that do not harm the planet. Offering pants, sweatshirts, socks, among others.

Conclution

Now that you know the difference between vegan and vegetarian , which one do you identify with? Or which group do you want to belong to? Take advantage of each of its benefits and do not forget to eat the necessary nutrients, in addition to establishing a balanced diet.

This lifestyle, which repudiates the consumption of food of animal origin, consists of becoming aware of the products and food you consume, with the aim of opting for actions that promote the protection of the planet and reduce exploitation and animal abuse.