The phrase “plant based” is a term and it often gets misunderstood. It seems like plant based implies that you solely consume a diet consisting of plants (like a vegan diet). Thats not entirely accurate. While many individuals following a plant based diet choose to avoid animal derived products it doesn’t necessarily equate to being, on a vegan diet.
Plant-Based Diet
Let’s start with a basic definition of the plant-based diet. This type of diet means the majority 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 main 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.
However, you can also add in some animal products, like small amounts of fish, chicken, or beef. You probably won’t have them at every meal, or even every day in many cases. It is more similar to a flexitarian lifestyle, though often with more whole, plant-based foods.
Vegan Diet
With a vegan diet, you are committed to consuming OR consuming no products that might come from animals. This means absolutely nothing is consumed that came from a living thing, starting with any type of 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 that came from an animal, like fur coats, wool clothing, or handbags and shoes made of leather.
It is possible to be vegan but not plant-based if you eat a lot of processed and packaged foods not made from plants. For example, did you know Oreo cookies are vegan? But they definitely don’t come from plants.
Key Differences between Plant-Based and Vegan Diets
The primary distinction, between plant based and vegan diets lies in the consumption of animal products. A plant based diet permits the inclusion of animal products whereas a vegan diet completely avoids them.
- A plant based diet offers flexibility compared to a vegan diet, which’s more restrictive, in nature.
- Opting for a plant based diet may have health benefits while choosing a vegan diet may contribute positively to the environment.
- Following a plant based diet might be easier to adhere to although its worth noting that a vegan diet can be more costly.
Choosing the Right Diet for You
The primary distinction, between these eating plans lies in the frequency of consuming animal products ranging from rarely to never. This decision is based on factors such as your well being, individual preferences, moral responsibilities and opinions on the meat and seafood industries.
If your main concern is animal welfare and thats your objective then opting for a vegan diet would be the choice. However if your focus is more on health considerations a plant based diet might prove to be an option as it also eliminates processed foods from your meals.
So, which one is better for you? It ultimately depends on your goals. If you aim to enhance your health a plant based diet may be more suitable. On the hand if reducing your impact is important to you then adopting a vegan diet might be the way forward. Ultimately the best eating plan is the one that you can sustain in the term. So choose what aligns, with your needs and preferences!
In summary there isn’t a right or wrong answer. It’s a decision that requires consideration of your own requirements and objectives.
