Vegan vs. Vegetarian: What's The Difference?
Have you ever thought about switching things up and trying a vegan or vegetarian diet? Or, were you not even aware that there was a difference between vegan and vegetarian? Either way, we’re going to get to the bottom of it today. With so many different dietary terms floating around nowadays, it can be easy to get confused. But no worries, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you are looking for advice on living a plant-based lifestyle or a supreme selection of nutritious plant-based snacks, Outstanding Foods has got you covered with all that and so much more! We are crazy about making the snack foods you want with the nutrition your body needs so that you can eat the whole dang snack bag and not think twice about it. So grab your favorite flavor of Outstanding Foods snacks, and let’s dive in!
What Does Vegetarian Mean?
Let’s start out with vegetarianism. After all, it is a common stepping stone for people on the way to veganism. A vegetarian is someone who doesn’t eat any foods that come from a process where animals are killed. In other words, a vegetarian doesn’t eat meat but may eat eggs or milk since they come from animals, but no animals are killed to get the product.
A healthy vegetarian diet consists of nuts, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. Vegetarians also typically enjoy meat substitutes.
Here is a more detailed list of what vegetarians do not eat:
- Any type of meat, including beef, pork, poultry, or game
- Fish and shellfish
- Bugs or insects
- Gelatin, rennet, or other types of animal protein such as collagen protein
- Stock or fats that come from animals like lard, chicken stock, or bacon fat
However, there are a few animal products that are vegetarian because they come from an animal, but the animal is not killed to get the product.
The animal byproducts that vegetarians do eat include:
- Dairy products like cheese, milk, yogurt, and ice cream
- Eggs
- Honey
“But my friend is a vegetarian, and she eats fish.” That’s because a vegetarian diet can be pretty flexible for your needs (although we’d call your friend a pescatarian if we’re being technical about it). You can kind of pick and choose the rules that work best for you. There are also a couple of different variations of the vegetarian diet, including:
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: doesn’t eat meat or fish but does eat dairy and eggs
- Lacto-vegetarian: doesn’t eat meat, fish, or eggs but will eat dairy
- Ovo-vegetarian: doesn’t eat meat, fish, or dairy but does eat eggs
- Pescatarian: doesn’t eat meat but does eat fish
What Does Vegan Mean?
Now you are well versed in the laws of vegetarianism. But what the heck is a vegan? Well, it’s kinda like vegetarianism but with more rules and even less animal involvement.
Vegans do not eat or use any products that come from animals. This means no meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or even honey. Vegans also do not use any non-food products that come from animals, including leather, suede, wool, or beauty products that contain animal ingredients like beeswax.
Here is a more detailed list of what vegans do not eat:
- Meat of any kind (pork, beef, chicken, etc.)
- Fish or shellfish
- Dairy products
- Honey
- Eggs
- Bugs or insects
- Gelatin, rennet, or any type of animal protein
- Stock or fats that come from animals
Veganism may seem daunting to transition to from an omnivorous diet. If this is the case for you, then start out by transitioning to a vegetarian diet and then slowly remove dairy products and eggs. Move at a pace that works for you!
Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet
There are so many benefits to adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. In the last few years, scientists have begun researching the health benefits of plant-based diets, and although there is still limited research, the results that are coming in suggest that it is a healthy move.
According to current research, plant-based diets may:
- Lower your blood pressure
- Keep your heart healthy
- Help you maintain a healthy body weight
- Help you lose weight
- Help you live longer
- Lower your risk of cancer
- Improve your cholesterol
- Minimize your risk of stroke
Still, there is a lot more research to be done to confirm these results but, things are looking very promising. But, of course, you still have to make healthy choices on a plant-based diet; you can’t just eat french fries all day and expect your cholesterol to improve.
How To Get Started With a Plant-Based Diet
If you have decided that you want to give a plant-based diet, either vegan or vegetarian, a try, but you’re not sure where to start, then start small. Pick out your go-to meals that are not plant-based, and then figure out how to make them plant-based.
For example, if you eat a lot of sandwiches, then simply swap out the meat for a plant-based alternative. There are a few different plant-based lunch meats to choose from in the produce section at the grocery store. Tray a few and see which one you like.
Here are a couple of easy swap outs to try:
- Swap meaty stocks and broths for veggie broth
- Swap ground beef for plant-based grounds
- Swap chicken for plant-based chicken
- Swap cow’s milk for a plant-based alternative like almond, oat, or coconut milk
Once you start transitioning to a vegan diet, it will get easier and easier as you go. It may seem daunting at first, but press on. You got this!
The Best Plant-Based Snack Foods
Are you worried about missing out on your favorite cheesy puffs or crispy pork rinds? Well, worry no more! We’ve got you covered with a large variety of plant-based snack foods that taste just as good, if not better, than your favorites.
Plus, our tasty snacks aren’t just delicious; they're also good for you! All of our crispy snacks are packed with plant-based protein and are baked, never fried. They are also gluten-free, soy-free, kosher, non-GMO, and have zero trans fats. So, you can enjoy bite after bite until you reach the bottom of the bag. Leave the guilt, but keep the treat!
PigOut Pigless Porkrinds
If you fancy yourself a crispy pork rind, then you will love our unbelievable PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds. These crispy bites are so addicting that you will want to toss your “traditional” pork rinds into a dumpster. Who needs the guilt of eating your pink and curly-tailed piggy friends when you can munch on something that is twice as good and packed with plant-based protein? Each bag contains a full 25 grams of protein!
You can keep it classic with Original flavor or get a little yee-haw with our Texas BBQ PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds. If you like to melt your taste buds, then you’ll love to pucker up with our newest flavor, Salt & Vinegar. Or if that’s na-cho thing, then try Nacho Cheese flavor. If you like to live on the edge, then you’ll love our Hella Hot PigOutPigless Pork Rinds, but a word of warning, only get these hella spicy rinds if you can really handle your spice!
Outstanding Puffs Snacks
Not that into pork rinds? Perhaps you are trying to replace your favorite non-vegan puffed snacks? Introducing, Outstanding Puffs! These plant-based puffs come in all the classic flavors you crave and contain a smacking 21 grams of protein and 30% of your daily vitamin requirements.
Choose from any one of the four insanely good flavors like Chill Ranch, White Chedda, Pizza Partay, and Hella Hot. No matter which one you choose, eat the entire bag and don’t feel bad about it for a second. You just got a bunch of protein and vitamins!
That’s A Wrap
Now that you have the scoop on all things plant-based diets, do you think you could make the switch? Plant-based diets are popular for a reason; they’re healthy, good for the planet, and much better for animals. Remember, it’s not going to happen overnight. There will be an adjustment period where you struggle to grocery shop with ease, but once you get the hang of it and identify your go-to products, you’ll be a plant-based pro in no time.
For all your plant-based snacking needs, trust Outstanding Foods. We’ve got you covered with vegan snacks that taste good and are full of nutrition to supplement your plant-based diet. No matter which flavor you choose, you’re gonna be blown away. No cap. After all, our snacks are outstanding—it’s in the name!
Sources:
Becoming Vegetarian: How to, Pros and Cons, What to Eat | Healthline
What Is Veganism, and What Do Vegans Eat? | Healthline
9 Scientific Benefits of Following a Plant-Based Diet | Everyday Health
