For centuries people have decided to embrace vegetarianism for several different reasons. Some people decide to become vegetarians because they feel it is more ethical, some do it in accordance with their religion, and others do it for health reasons. Even though a person decides to not include animal protein in their diet, it would not create any health issues with the right vitamins and minerals supplementing their daily intake.
You may have heard some people consider themselves “vegan.” While there are similarities, difference between vegan and vegetarian also exist. A vegetarian lifestyle could include a few different diets but being a vegan could exclude any type of animal products of any kind in their lives.
Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian
About Vegan
One of the main differences between a vegan and a vegetarian is in not only what they eat but in what they will not eat. A vegan will not eat anything to do with animals, which includes meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, honey or gelatin. Their diet consists solely of beans, grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables. It may appear that this style of eating is a far cry from a standard American diet, or SAD, but it is much more than just eating a salad. There are many delicious gourmet meals that a vegan can enjoy.
About Vegetarian
A vegetarian is a person who will not eat meat for whatever reasons he chooses – his health, animals protection, or for the environment. A lacto-ovo vegetarian is a vegetarian who does include eggs and dairy into their diet.
To be considered a vegetarian, you would not eat meat of any kind. The vegetarian way of eating is often called a meat-free or meatless diet. Anyone who does not eat meat but eats fish is considered a pesco-vegetarian; if they eat fish they are considered a pollo-vegetarian; and someone who eats a vegetarian diet sometimes is considered to be a flexitarian. None of these specialty groups are considered vegetarians.
Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian
The main difference between being a vegan and being a vegetarian is that being vegetarian is mostly limited to what a person eats while being a vegan is a lifestyle. A vegan does not eat meal, they also do not have anything to do with animal products in their lives. A vegan does not have household items, clothing of any kind, or cosmetics that have anything to do with animals. Many vegans begin as vegetarians and slowly migrate to eliminating anything to do with animals.
Many people become vegans because of their health (dietary vegans) and others embrace it because of political or moral issues (ethical vegans). A vegan has very strong feelings that animals were not put here to be taken advantage of and commercialized for the good of man. They respect all aspects of life including those of animals.
People who become vegetarian may begin this type of diet because of health issues; some are concerned about the safety of the meats and poultry we get from the grocery stores. Religious reasons could also be the basis for someone becoming a vegetarian. Some Christian religions call for a period of a meatless diet during Lent; other religions like Jainism and Hinduism are geared towards a vegetarian diet.
Famous Vegetarians and Vegans
Ellen DeGeneres
Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres has been a vegan since 2008. She has encouraged others to follow her lead through her website “Going Vegan with Ellen.” Ellen used to love cheeseburgers but was influenced by the book Skinny Bitch and a documentary called Earthlings.
Russell Brand
Comedian Russell Brand has been a vegetarian since he was just 14. In 2011 he was named the “Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity” by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Brand feels that “You shouldn’t eat animals, it’s mean to them.”
Carrie Underwood
Not only is Carrie Underwood a major country music entertainer, she is an affirmed vegetarian. She has eliminated all animal products from her regime and is a complete vegan. She became a vegetarian at 13 while on her family’s farm and found out what happened to the animals.
Anne Hathaway
Actress Anne Hathaway has struggled with her commitment to vegetarianism. She began eliminating meat on and off since she was 12. After an epiphany while filming a movie in England, she committed to being a vegan swearing off fish as well as meat.
Christina Applegate
Even though she is known for her comedic talent, Applegate takes being a vegetarian seriously. It all began when she was eating her lunch while on the Married with Children sit-com. The plate she was served had blood on it. She has since gone on to encourage people to not buy fur coats through PETA.
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C. BurleySep.2 05:01
I'll tell you what!,GOD is not going to punished you to die the damnation of hell, because you eat meat, and your salvation is not based on whether you eat me or not, In-fact he says all meat is pure, it's only un-pure if a man thinks it's un-pure,because that's what GOD told them to eat in the beginning of time when meat was very pure, but because of through the generations, man has tampered with the food supply filling it with all kind of chemicals, that you have to be careful and use common sense of what you put into your body, it's not because it's wrong to eat animal protein, he gives us freedom of will and choice. It's a choice and a lifestyle.
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Daniel J. DamonAug.8 02:05
I found the post interesting and informative, but one question bothers me: Are there no vegetarians or vegans of color? Your sample of famous/well-known people is just too white bread to be 21st century.
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Joseph FortnerMay.21 01:08
@Freddi Jones. Seriously? The "top"? Oh how I have no respect for Jackasses that talk without thinking. The only reason humans are considered the " top" is because of the total disregard ee have for life. Your ancestors are the ones that made you cspable of eating your desires away. Sharks, Tigers, Bears. Do you actually believe youcould walk into N. Alaska and be able to hunt down a Polar before he/she gets you? Or a Grizzly infested woods? With your bear hands? Thousands of Animals would cry with such joy at the thought of idiots like you coming for them. Let me guess, your the type to pay someone to take you to a caged deer to shoot, eat (you probably pay others to dress). Nope, my bad, you get your food through resteraunts.
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Daniel Kayne Mar.30 21:05
Fred Jones, your comment was strange, you said "you" didn't spend the last 5 million years climbing to the top of the food chain? My friend you wouldn't last 5 seconds on a tank with a great white or a cage with a tiger, you are a dumb herbivore ! Get over it and you are not 5 million years old! Tescos provides meat for you!
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fred jonesFeb.22 19:55
I didn't spend the last 5 million years climbing to the top of the food chain to start at the bottom and do it all over again.
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Teresa AitkenSep.23 22:59
Allowing animals to suffer their entire short lives is wrong. There are numerous reasons to be vegan but main one is to discourage these conglomerations from torturing animals out of greed. Convince one other person to be a vegetarian or vegan and you will have done something meaningful.
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