The term “plant-based” is a relatively new term and one that is consistently misused. It sounds like plant-based means you only eat a diet made of plants (such as a vegan diet), but that’s not actually what it means.
While many people on a plant-based diet don’t eat any animal products, it is not another way to say you are on a vegan diet. A plant-based diet means you eat predominantly plants, but you can still have animal products in your diet.
On the other hand, a vegan diet means you don’t eat any products from animals. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. So if you are looking to reduce your impact on the planet, going vegan is the way to go.
Plant-Based Diet
Let’s start with a basic definition of the plant-based diet. This type of diet means most of your diet is made from plant-based food, usually whole and clean foods.
You will create meals around plants instead of meat as the primary source of protein. This might mean lots of whole grains like rice and oats, potatoes, vegetables and fruits, healthy fats, and dairy-free alternatives like nut milk and tofu.
A plant-based diet excludes all animal products, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. You can, however, still have honey or some animal products, like small amounts of fish, chicken, or beef, in your food.
While there are some benefits to a plant-based diet—such as reducing your environmental impact—there are also some essential nutrients you might miss out on if you don’t have animal products in your diet. For example, you might not get enough vitamin B12, iron, or zinc if you don’t include any animal products in your food.
Vegan Diet
With a vegan diet, you are committed to consuming OR consuming no products from animals. This means absolutely nothing is consumed that came from a living thing, starting with any meat, poultry, seafood, or milk. It also includes some derivatives of insects, like honey and beeswax.
Many people who eat a vegan diet also follow a vegan lifestyle, which means you don’t use products from an animal, like fur coats, wool clothing, or handbags and shoes made of leather.
A vegan diet is a great way to reduce your environmental impact because it eliminates the need to produce animal products. It can also be healthier for you than other diets because you’ll consume more fiber, antioxidants, and healthy plant-based fats. You might also miss out on key nutrients if you don’t include fortified foods in your diet.
It is possible to be vegan but not plant-based if you eat many processed and packaged foods not made from plants. For example, did you know Oreo cookies are vegan? But they don’t come from plants.
Choosing the Right Diet for You
This is an extensive lifestyle choice based on many factors, including your health, personal preferences, moral obligations, and your thoughts on the meat and seafood industries.
The main difference between a plant-based and vegan diet is that a plant-based diet allows for some animal products, while a vegan diet does not. A plant-based diet is a great way to reduce your environmental impact, while a vegan diet is the best way to reduce your ecological impact.
Additionally, a plant-based diet might not provide all the nutrients you need, so it’s important to include fortified foods in your diet if you choose this route. On the other hand, a vegan diet is a great way to get all the nutrients you need because there are no animal products to miss out on.
Consider why you are making this choice. If you care about the animals, your main objective, a vegan diet is the best choice. However, if it is more about health, a plant-based diet might end up being the better option since it also removes most processed foods from your diet.
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