Vegan vs Vegetarian: What’s the Difference?

“I don’t eat meat.” For many people, that’s the whole story. But in practice, there are different plant-based patterns — and the words vegetarian and vegan mean different rules, different label concerns, and different nutrition considerations.

Here’s the simplest way to remember it: vegetarian diets avoid meat, while vegan diets avoid all animal-derived foods.

Vegetarian usually means “no meat.” Vegan means “no animal products.” That one difference changes everything — from what’s safe at restaurants to what matters on labels.

What Does “Vegetarian” Mean?

A vegetarian diet excludes meat (and often fish), but many vegetarians still eat dairy and/or eggs. There are also a few common subtypes.

Common types of vegetarian diets

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: no meat or fish, but includes dairy and eggs (this is the most common definition in many countries).
Lacto-vegetarian: includes dairy but excludes eggs.
Ovo-vegetarian: includes eggs but excludes dairy.
Pescatarian (often grouped loosely with vegetarian): includes fish/seafood but excludes other meats.

Because vegetarian diets can include dairy and eggs, some ingredients that are “not vegan” may still be fine for a vegetarian — like whey, casein, butter, or egg whites.

What Does “Vegan” Mean?

A vegan diet excludes all animal-derived foods: meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and typically honey. Many people also extend veganism beyond diet, avoiding animal-derived materials (like leather) — but on food labels, the key point is: no animal ingredients.

Common animal-derived ingredients that are not vegan

Dairy-derived: whey, casein, milk solids, lactose, butterfat
Egg-derived: albumen, egg powder
Other: honey, gelatin, carmine (red dye from insects), some omega-3s (fish-based)

Important: “Plant-based” does not always mean vegan. Some “plant-based” products still contain egg, dairy, or honey — especially in baked goods and snacks.

Why People Confuse the Two

In casual conversation, “vegetarian” is sometimes used to mean “I eat mostly plants.” But when it comes to food safety, label scanning, and choosing products quickly, the difference matters.

A quick example

Vegetarian: cheese pizza may be okay
Vegan: cheese pizza is not okay (dairy)

What This Means for Nutrition

Both vegetarian and vegan diets can be healthy — but the stricter the exclusions, the more planning is needed.

Common nutrition focus areas

Vegan: vitamin B12 (usually needs supplementation), iron, calcium, vitamin D, iodine, omega-3 (consider algae-based DHA/EPA), and protein variety.
Vegetarian: often easier to meet B12 and calcium needs if dairy/eggs are included, but iron, protein quality, and ultra-processed “meat replacement” habits can still matter.

The best plant-based diet is the one you can sustain — with enough protein, enough micronutrients, and a simple routine that doesn’t rely on willpower alone.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Some people start vegetarian (keeping eggs/dairy) and later transition to vegan. Others go vegan from day one for ethical reasons. There’s no one “right” path — but it helps to choose based on your goals and your lifestyle:

If you want fewer rules: vegetarian is usually easier socially.
If you want a strict animal-free approach: vegan is the clear definition.
If you have allergies/intolerances: labels matter more than identity labels.

How AllergenFinder Can Help

Vegan and vegetarian products can look similar — but ingredients like whey, casein, egg powder, honey, and gelatin often hide in the fine print. AllergenFinder helps you scan labels quickly and spot animal-derived ingredients so you can shop with confidence.

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