Do some vegans eat egg whites? The definitive guide

December 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Vegan Society, veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. Based on this principle, do some vegans eat egg whites? The answer is a clear no, as eggs are animal products that are explicitly excluded from the vegan diet and lifestyle.

Quick Summary

Vegans completely avoid egg whites and all animal products due to their ethical and philosophical stances. This practice differentiates them from ovo-vegetarians, who include eggs but not dairy or meat.

Key Points

Clear Distinction: No, true vegans do not eat egg whites, as they are an animal product prohibited by vegan principles.
Core Principle: Veganism is defined by its opposition to all forms of animal exploitation, which includes the egg industry and its products.
Ovo-Vegetarianism: The diet that includes eggs but excludes meat and dairy is known as ovo-vegetarianism, not veganism.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Excellent vegan substitutes for egg whites exist, such as aquafaba (chickpea brine) for whipping and flax eggs for binding.
Beyond the Plate: Veganism is a lifestyle that extends beyond food to avoid all animal exploitation, influencing choices in clothing, cosmetics, and more.
Ethical Concerns: A primary reason for vegans avoiding eggs relates to animal welfare issues within the egg industry, including the culling of male chicks.

Understanding the Core Principle of Veganism

At its heart, veganism is a lifestyle choice that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether for food, clothing, or any other purpose. This means that in addition to abstaining from meat, vegans also do not consume any products derived from animals. This includes dairy milk, cheese, honey, and, crucially, eggs.

The egg white, also known as the albumen, is a part of the egg laid by a hen. While often separated and viewed differently from the yolk, it is still an animal product derived from the chicken. A person who follows a strict vegan diet, therefore, would never eat egg whites, regardless of how they were produced or separated. The distinction between the egg white and yolk is irrelevant to the vegan philosophy, which considers the egg in its entirety as an animal-derived food.

The clear distinction between vegans and ovo-vegetarians

Confusion often arises when comparing veganism with other plant-based diets. The key to understanding why vegans do not eat egg whites lies in understanding the differences between these diets. An ovo-vegetarian, for example, is a type of vegetarian who does not eat meat or dairy products but does consume eggs. The "ovo" prefix comes from the Latin word for egg.

Ovo-vegetarians may choose their diet for a variety of reasons. Some may have ethical concerns about the dairy industry but feel comfortable with the conditions of egg-laying hens, especially if they source free-range eggs. However, this ethical standpoint is not shared by vegans. Many vegans argue that the egg industry, regardless of free-range status, still involves the exploitation of animals, such as the culling of unwanted male chicks.

Ethical and environmental reasons for avoiding eggs

The reasons behind a vegan's choice to avoid all animal products, including eggs, are multifaceted. For many, it extends beyond simply not eating the product to protesting the entire system of animal agriculture.

Animal welfare concerns: The vegan standpoint is that animals should not be used by humans for any purpose. This includes the breeding and housing of chickens for egg production. The practice of culling male chicks because they do not lay eggs is a major ethical concern for vegans.
Environmental impact: The livestock sector, including egg production, has a significant environmental footprint, demanding resources like land, water, and energy, while contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Avoiding all animal products is seen as a way to reduce one's environmental impact more comprehensively than a vegetarian diet.
Health considerations: While egg whites are fat-free and low in calories, the overall vegan diet, rich in fiber and low in saturated fat, is associated with a lower risk of certain chronic diseases. A plant-based diet can easily provide all necessary nutrients without eggs.

Plant-based alternatives for egg whites

Fortunately, for those seeking a cruelty-free alternative to egg whites in cooking and baking, there are excellent plant-based options available. These substitutes mimic the properties of egg whites, particularly their ability to leaven, bind, and create a fluffy texture.

Aquafaba: The brine from a can of chickpeas is a surprisingly effective egg white substitute. It can be whipped into stiff peaks, making it perfect for meringues, mousses, and macaroons.
Flax eggs: A simple mixture of ground flaxseed and warm water creates a gel-like consistency that can act as a binder in many baking recipes.
Vegan egg white powder: Commercial products are available that are specifically formulated to replicate the function of egg whites. These are often made from plant proteins and can be very convenient.
Tofu: Silken tofu can be used as a creamy, protein-rich base for scrambled "eggs" and quiches.
Psyllium husks: Ground psyllium husks can help bind ingredients and add structure, particularly in baking.

Comparing veganism and ovo-vegetarianism

To highlight the key differences, here is a comparison of veganism and ovo-vegetarianism:


Feature	Veganism	Ovo-Vegetarianism
Dietary Focus	Excludes all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey).	Excludes meat and dairy, but includes eggs.
Inclusion of Egg Whites	No, strictly forbidden as an animal product.	Yes, egg whites and whole eggs are consumed.
Protein Sources	Beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, grains, and seitan.	Eggs, plus all plant-based sources used by vegans.
Primary Motivation	Ethical opposition to all forms of animal exploitation.	Often motivated by ethical concerns about the meat and dairy industries, but less stringent than vegans.
Potential Ethical Issue	The primary focus is on excluding all animal products completely.	The egg industry's practices, such as male chick culling, may pose an ethical challenge.
Lifestyle Scope	Extends beyond diet to avoid animal-derived clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment.	Primarily a dietary choice, though some may extend principles to other areas.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of whether some vegans eat egg whites has a simple and direct answer: no. A fundamental principle of the vegan lifestyle is the complete avoidance of all animal-derived products, and eggs, including their whites, fall squarely into this category. The confusion is understandable, given the spectrum of plant-based diets, but it is important to recognize the definitive boundary that separates a vegan from an ovo-vegetarian.

For those considering a shift away from animal products, understanding these distinctions is crucial. A vegan diet can be nutritionally complete and satisfying with the help of numerous plant-based alternatives that perfectly replicate the function of egg whites in a variety of dishes. The commitment to exclude animal exploitation in all its forms is what truly defines the vegan path.

For more information on the distinctions between these diets, Healthline provides an in-depth comparison: Vegan vs Vegetarian - What's The Difference?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegans do not consider egg whites, or any part of an egg, to be vegan because they are an animal product. The vegan philosophy is to avoid all products derived from animal exploitation, which includes chickens bred and kept for egg production.

An ovo-vegetarian consumes eggs and egg products but not meat or dairy. A vegan, in contrast, avoids all animal products completely, including meat, dairy, and eggs.

Vegans can use a variety of plant-based alternatives for egg whites, such as aquafaba (chickpea brine) for whipping, flax eggs for binding, and commercial vegan egg white powders.

From a vegan perspective, no. While free-range conditions may seem more humane, the process of egg production still involves the exploitation of the hen. Ethical vegans also point to the common practice of culling male chicks as a key reason for avoiding all eggs.

For vegans, separating the egg white from the yolk is irrelevant. The issue is not one of nutrition but of animal-derived products. As such, consuming the egg white is not considered part of a vegan diet, regardless of potential health benefits.

Yes, you can follow a plant-based diet that is primarily focused on fruits, vegetables, and grains while still including egg whites. However, this dietary pattern would be more accurately described as ovo-vegetarian, not vegan.

No, not all vegetarians eat egg whites. While lacto-ovo-vegetarians do consume eggs, lacto-vegetarians avoid eggs, and vegans avoid all animal products. The inclusion of eggs depends on the specific type of vegetarian diet followed.