What is the Difference Between Vegan and Plant Based

The main difference between vegan and plant-based is that plant-based diets may be healthier and more nutritious than vegan diets as they involve natural food that has undergone little or no processing.  

Nowadays, a lot of people are choosing to reduce the amount of animal products in their diet. Vegan and plant-based are two words that describe diets that consist of plant products. Some call themselves vegan, while some others use the word plant-based to describe their lifestyle. This article explains the difference between vegan and plant-based diets and lifestyles described by these words. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What Does Vegan Mean
     – Definition, Features
2. What Does Plant-Based Mean
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Vegan and Plant-Based
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Food, Vegan, Plant-Based Diet

Difference Between Vegan and Plant Based - Comparison Summary

What Does Vegan Mean

The origins of the word vegan can be traced back to Donald Watson, an animal rights activist and the founder of the Vegan Society, who first used this word (in 1944) to describe a person who abstains from using any animal product in all aspects of his or her life for ethical reasons. We can define veganism or being vegan as a way of living that tries to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. A vegan diet excludes all food derived from animals, for example, eggs, meat, fish, dairy products, bee honey, etc.

Difference Between Vegan and Plant Based

Veganism does not only involve abstaining from animal-derived food, but it also includes abstaining from using any clothing, beauty, cleaning, and other products that have an animal origin. Although the concept of veganism has its origins in animal welfare, today, people have started following a vegan lifestyle for many different reasons, including health and environmental concerns. However, it’s important to note that a vegan diet is not necessarily a healthy diet. A vegan diet can also include many unhealthy and processed food like potato chips, vegan cookies, or other junk food, which are low in nutrients and high in calories.

What Does Plant-Based Mean

We use the word plant-based to describe food or a diet. A plant-based diet is a diet made food that comes from plant sources.  This may involve food items like vegetables, fruits, whole grains (quinoa, barley, oats), plant-based oils (coconut, avocado, olive, canola), and nuts and seeds. This word has its origin in health science or nutrition science. Originally, it referred to meals made up of natural, whole foods from plants. But today, many companies and people use this term as a substitute for vegan. Nevertheless, there are several differences between these two words, vegan and plant-based.

Main Difference - Vegan vs Plant Based

The term plant-based does not have any connotations. It is more related to the health benefits of avoiding animal products. Moreover, someone who follows a plant-based diet may sometimes consume animal products. But the majority of food he or she consumes will have a plant origin. In addition, a plant-based diet may be healthier and more nutritious than a vegan diet as plant-based involve natural food, which has undergone little or no processing.

Difference Between Vegan and Plant-Based

Definition

A vegan is a person who does not eat or use animal-based products while plant-based means food or diet mainly consisting of vegetables, grains, pulses, or other food items derived from plants, rather than animal products.

Involves

The word vegan describes a lifestyle and involves food, clothing, beauty, cleaning, and other products. However, we mainly use the word plant-based to describe diets.

Animal-Based Products

Vegan diets do not contain any animal products while plant-based diets may or may not contain animal products. Although plant-based diets mainly contain food that comes from plant sources, they may contain some amount of animal-based products.

Connotation

The concept of veganism has its origins in animal welfare and ethical reasons, but plant-based diet does not have such connotations.

Healthy Diet

A vegan diet can also include many unhealthy and processed food like potato chips, vegan cookies, or other junk food, which are low in nutrients and high in calories. Plant-based diets, on the other hand, maybe healthier and more nutritious than vegan diets as they involve natural foods that have undergone little or no processing.  

Conclusion

The main difference between vegan and plant-based is that plant-based diets may be healthier and more nutritious than vegan diets as they involve natural food that has undergone little or no processing.  

Image Courtesy:

1. “Vegan Written In Vegetables, surrounded by vegan friendly food” (CC BY 2.0) via Forth With Life
2. “5455065” (CC0) via Pixabay

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

Leave a Reply