Is Anything Vegan Vegetarian? Dissecting the Plant-Based Relationship

December 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Vegan Society, veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. This fundamental principle means that while all vegan food is considered vegetarian, the reverse is not true, making it an important distinction for anyone exploring plant-based living.

Quick Summary

This article explores the core differences between vegan and vegetarian diets, clarifying why all vegan food is also vegetarian, but why vegetarian meals are not always vegan. It covers dietary exclusions, lifestyle considerations, and the ethical foundations that distinguish these two popular eating patterns.

Key Points

Dietary Scope: All vegan foods are vegetarian, but vegetarian foods are not always vegan due to the inclusion of eggs and dairy.
No Animal Products for Vegans: Vegans avoid all products derived from animals, including dairy, eggs, and honey, in addition to meat.
Lifestyle vs. Diet: Veganism is often a broader lifestyle choice rooted in animal rights, while vegetarianism is typically centered on dietary restrictions.
Nutrient Planning is Crucial: Both diets require careful planning to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, and calcium, with vegans having stricter considerations.
No Animal Exploitation: The core of the vegan philosophy is to avoid all forms of animal exploitation, which is why they exclude products like honey, unlike many vegetarians.

Understanding the Core Definitions

At its heart, the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian lies in the scope of animal products they avoid. Both eliminate meat, poultry, and fish, but the restrictions for a vegan diet are far more extensive. A vegetarian avoids animal flesh, while a vegan excludes all animal-derived products, including those that do not require animal slaughter. This distinction means that anything a vegan eats is, by definition, also part of a vegetarian diet, but a vegetarian may consume products that a vegan would not.

The Breakdown of Exclusions

To illustrate the difference, it's helpful to break down the specific food groups excluded by each diet.

What Vegetarians Exclude:

Meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.)
Poultry (chicken, duck, turkey, etc.)
Fish and shellfish
Some may also avoid by-products of animal slaughter, such as gelatin.

What Vegans Exclude (In addition to the above):

Dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, yogurt)
Eggs
Honey (produced by bees)
Other animal-derived ingredients like whey, casein, and certain forms of vitamin D3

The Ethical and Lifestyle Divide

Beyond dietary choices, veganism is often described as a comprehensive lifestyle rooted in animal rights philosophy, while vegetarianism is primarily a dietary choice. Ethical vegans extend their commitment to avoiding animal exploitation to other areas of their lives, such as:

Clothing: Avoiding materials like leather, wool, and silk.
Cosmetics: Purchasing only cruelty-free products not tested on animals.
Entertainment: Steering clear of zoos, circuses, or other forms of animal exploitation for entertainment.

Many vegetarians, on the other hand, focus exclusively on their food choices. A lacto-ovo vegetarian, the most common type in Western countries, sees no issue consuming dairy and eggs, as they don't believe it directly causes the death of the animal. However, vegans argue that the dairy and egg industries are still a form of animal exploitation.

Comparison of Diets


Aspect	Vegetarian Diet	Vegan Diet
Meat	Excluded	Excluded
Poultry	Excluded	Excluded
Fish/Shellfish	Excluded	Excluded
Dairy	Often included (Lacto-ovo)	Excluded
Eggs	Often included (Lacto-ovo)	Excluded
Honey	Often included	Excluded
Gelatin	Often included	Excluded
Vitamin B12	May get from eggs/dairy	Must supplement or use fortified foods
Lifestyle Scope	Primarily diet-focused	Extends to clothing, cosmetics, etc.

Nutritional Considerations

Both well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets can be incredibly healthy, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, careful planning is required to ensure adequate nutrient intake, especially for certain vitamins and minerals.

Protein: Both diets can easily meet protein needs through legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Lacto-ovo vegetarians also benefit from dairy and eggs.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin is not naturally found in plants. Vegetarians who consume eggs and dairy may get enough, but vegans must rely on fortified foods or supplements to avoid a deficiency.
Iron: While iron is present in plant-based sources, it is not as easily absorbed as the iron from meat. Both vegetarians and vegans can increase absorption by consuming vitamin-C-rich foods alongside iron sources.
Calcium and Vitamin D: Vegetarians who consume dairy will get these nutrients from milk and cheese. Vegans need to seek out fortified plant milks or dark leafy greens for calcium and ensure they get adequate sun exposure or supplements for Vitamin D.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Plant-Based Path

In summary, the key difference between vegan and vegetarian lies in the level of restriction and the underlying philosophy. Anything a vegan consumes is, by default, vegetarian. However, a vegetarian's diet may include animal products like eggs, dairy, or honey that a vegan would avoid. Whether you are considering a transition to a more plant-based diet for health, ethical, or environmental reasons, understanding these distinctions is the first step towards making an informed choice. It is advisable for those new to these diets to start gradually and consult with a health professional to ensure all nutritional needs are met. For more information, the Vegan Society website is a great resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a vegetarian can eat anything made for vegans. Since vegan food contains no animal products at all, it fits within the vegetarian dietary restrictions, which only exclude meat, poultry, and fish.

A vegetarian diet is not automatically vegan because many vegetarians, particularly those following a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, continue to consume animal by-products such as eggs and dairy, which are excluded from a vegan diet.

Honey is considered vegetarian but is not vegan. Most vegans avoid honey because its production involves the exploitation of bees, which is against the core ethical principles of veganism.

A lacto-ovo vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but does eat eggs and dairy products.

Yes, both vegetarians and vegans can get enough protein through a balanced diet of legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and grains. Vegetarians have the additional options of dairy and eggs.

The biggest nutritional challenge for vegans is obtaining sufficient Vitamin B12, as it is found naturally only in animal products. Vegans must consume fortified foods or supplements to meet their needs.

The confusion arises because both diets avoid meat and are based on plants. The main difference lies in the level of restriction, with veganism being the stricter, all-encompassing version of a plant-based diet.