The difference between vegans and vegetarians. What do vegetarians and vegans eat?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Recently, global trends have shifted towards a he althy lifestyle and proper nutrition. People thought about the ecology of the world in which we live, about the purity of the products we eat, about the relationship of man with the environment as a whole. On this wave, two such trends arose as vegetarianism and veganism. More and more people choose this lifestyle. What is it - a tribute to fashion, a lifelong diet or a conscious position?

Vegetarians and vegans. Who are they?

In the mistaken opinion of most people, these are simply people who have eliminated meat and animal products from their diet. Actually this is not true. The difference between vegans and vegetarians lies mainly in their principled position. For example, vegans do not recognize any exploitation of animals in general, while vegetarians oppose the killing of animals for the benefit of humans. This is reflected not only in nutrition.

Vegan will never go to the circus, the zoo, will not wear wool clothes, ride horses in the hippodrome, as this is nothing butexploitation of animals for human entertainment. Vegetarians, on the other hand, are calm about such moments. But you will not find a fur coat or boots made of leather in their wardrobes, as well as other household items for which animals had to be killed. However, vegans agree with them on this.

Food

Now let's talk about nutrition. The main difference between vegans and vegetarians is that the former do not consume any food of animal origin at all. That is, they do not eat meat, seafood and fish. So what do vegetarians eat? List of products: milk, eggs, dairy products and honey, that is, the food for which animals were not killed.

There are those who eat only eggs or milk from animal food. They are called respectively - ovo-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians.

What came first?

In fact, originally there was only vegetarianism. The first representatives were very strict with themselves and their menu, which did not include any animal products at all. But this did not suit everyone. After all, not every person can live without using animal protein at all. For example, if you are engaged in hard physical labor or professional sports, then without the protein found in meat, milk, eggs, it will be difficult for you to keep yourself in good shape. Such restrictions can affect both well-being and physical fitness. There are still small children, infants who need a varied high-calorie diet. If a mother, a convinced vegan, cannot breastfeed her child for some reason, then howbe with baby food, etc.? In America, there was even a trial. The vegan parents were charged with manslaughter. They fed the baby only soy milk and apple juice, as a result of which the baby died of malnutrition.

Therefore, since vegetarianism is based on a ban on killing animals, only meat, poultry, fish, and seafood are excluded from the menu. That is what they killed for. Milk and dairy products, cheeses, eggs, honey are allowed. Vegetarians who disagreed with this split off and became known as vegans. They do not recognize anything of animal origin, and it does not matter if it is food or household items. Therefore, the difference between vegans and vegetarians is not so great. But still it is.

Vegan nutrition

Let's look at how vegans eat. Their menu for every day is not so monotonous as it might seem at first glance. First, don't confuse veganism with a raw food diet.

Yes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs and roots form the basis of the vegan diet, but there are many delicious dishes from them. Various soups, salads, casseroles and even pastries are present in the vegan diet. It’s just that animal protein is replaced by beans, soybeans, nuts, and only vegetable fat is used in cooking. It is quite possible to cook, for example, bean paste, which is not inferior in taste to a similar meat dish. There are many delicious cereals - chickpeas, quinoa, lentils. And ice cream, fruit pie or berry sorbet fromthe vegan menu will pleasantly surprise you!

Food analogues of animal origin

In addition, marketers of large food concerns, in order to increase profits and expand the range, constantly conduct research on what vegans eat. The list of foods that replace animal products for vegans and vegetarians is regularly updated.

The real find was soy protein. It produces a lot of food and semi-finished products. There is soy meat, milk and even cheese - tofu. A favorite vegan dish is hummus, mashed chickpeas whipped with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika and sesame paste.

Famous vegans

Among celebrities, especially foreign ones, there are also vegans. Who is it? The most scandalous, perhaps, is Pamela Anderson, who starred in a social advertising video and urged people to stop using meat and dairy products. Also filming for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is Batman star Alicia Silverstone. Moreover, to create a stir, the girl starred absolutely naked! Vegans include Paul McCartney, Clint Eastwood, Bryan Adams, Natalie Portman, Leni Kravitz and many other public figures. Designer Stella McCartney even founded the veganfashion movement. On behalf of her brand, she makes clothes from natural fabrics, but never uses materials of animal origin. Many famous people choose this brand, calling this fashion trend ethicalclothing.”

As you can see, the difference between vegans and vegetarians lies primarily in the very position in life, and not in the food system. And if earlier the former were considered hermits, fanatics, now this movement is very popular and even fashionable. World Vegan Day has been celebrated on November 1st since 1994. And the current itself appeared in 1944. Vegetarian Day is celebrated a month earlier - October 1.

Advice to those who decide to change something in life

The main thing to remember for anyone who has decided to radically change their lives and, according to their views, the nutrition system, is that you can’t drastically change your diet. Meat, fish and other products prohibited by veganism must be removed from the menu gradually, replacing them with equivalent vegetable counterparts. It is imperative to monitor the balance of proteins and fats, the daily caloric content of food should not decrease sharply.

Before switching to a new nutrition system, perform a complete cleansing of the body. Take a course to strengthen the immune system with vitamins. To become a vegan, you need to be ready for it both mentally and physically. Therefore, visit a doctor and find out if you have any contraindications to such a lifestyle.