What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan?
At the heart of the matter lies the distinction between a vegetarian and a vegan diet. A vegetarian primarily avoids meat, poultry, and fish. The specific animal products they include, such as dairy and eggs, define the type of vegetarianism. In contrast, a vegan adheres to a lifestyle that excludes all animal products and byproducts, including meat, dairy, eggs, and often honey. For a vegan, the ethical consideration extends beyond not eating an animal's flesh to avoiding any product derived from an animal. Therefore, while most dairy is considered vegetarian, it is never vegan.
The primary types of vegetarian diets
To clarify whether dairy is suitable for a specific diet, it's helpful to break down the main vegetarian categories:
- Lacto-ovo vegetarian: The most common type of vegetarianism in Western cultures, this diet excludes meat, fish, and poultry but includes both eggs ("ovo") and dairy products ("lacto"). A person following this diet would consume milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Lacto-vegetarian: This group consumes dairy products but excludes eggs, meat, fish, and poultry. Many Hindu and Jain followers adhere to a lacto-vegetarian diet.
- Ovo-vegetarian: The opposite of a lacto-vegetarian, an ovo-vegetarian eats eggs but avoids dairy products, meat, fish, and poultry. This is a suitable diet for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies who still wish to consume eggs.
The vegetarian cheese conundrum: Animal vs. microbial rennet
While milk itself is generally accepted in lacto-vegetarian diets, a critical detail emerges with cheese. Many traditional cheeses are not vegetarian. This is due to the use of rennet, an enzyme that coagulates milk to form curds and whey during cheesemaking.
Historically, rennet was extracted from the stomach lining of slaughtered calves. Since this ingredient is an animal byproduct, it is not suitable for most vegetarians, though some less strict vegetarians may overlook it. The good news is that most commercially produced cheeses today use a vegetarian-friendly alternative, such as microbial or plant-based rennet.
To determine if a cheese is vegetarian, you should:
- Read the label: Look for terms like "microbial rennet," "plant-based rennet," or simply "vegetarian rennet" in the ingredients list.
- Avoid traditional varieties: Certain European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano and some types of Gruyère, are legally required to use animal rennet.
- Look for certifications: Many products will carry a vegetarian certification logo, such as a "V-label," which makes identification easy.
Ethical considerations and the dairy industry
Beyond the ingredients themselves, some vegetarians choose to avoid dairy for ethical reasons related to the practices of the modern dairy industry. This is a key reason many vegetarians transition to veganism. Concerns include:
- Treatment of calves: For a cow to produce milk, she must give birth. Calves are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth to preserve the milk supply for human consumption.
- Breeding cycle: Dairy cows are artificially inseminated repeatedly to maintain a constant cycle of milk production.
- Animal welfare standards: The conditions in which dairy cows are kept can vary greatly. Critics cite issues of confinement, stress, and eventual slaughter when a cow's milk production declines. Many consumers feel that forgoing dairy is the only way to truly practice non-harm (ahimsa), a core principle in many Eastern philosophies.
Comparison: Vegetarian vs. Vegan Dairy
| Feature | Lacto-Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy Products | Included (Milk, cheese, yogurt) | Excluded (No milk, cheese, yogurt) |
| Eggs | Excluded | Excluded |
| Meat/Fish/Poultry | Excluded | Excluded |
| Honey | Included | Excluded |
| Key Consideration | Derived from animals, but no animal slaughtered | All animal products and byproducts excluded |
| Potential Concern | Animal welfare in the dairy industry | Sourcing of supplements (e.g., Vitamin B12) |
Plant-based dairy alternatives
The market for plant-based dairy alternatives has exploded, offering excellent substitutes for milk, cheese, and yogurt. These products are made from a variety of sources and are suitable for vegans and all types of vegetarians.
- Milks: Options include soy, almond, oat, coconut, and rice milk. They are often fortified with calcium and Vitamin D to match the nutritional profile of cow's milk.
- Cheeses: Plant-based cheeses are made from ingredients like soy, cashews, and coconut oil.
- Yogurts: Vegan yogurts are commonly made from cultured soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Conclusion
While the commonly accepted answer to "Is dairy vegetarian?" is yes, specifically for lacto-vegetarians, the issue is more nuanced. The consumption of dairy products hinges on the specific type of vegetarian diet followed and the ethical considerations of the individual. The use of animal rennet in some traditional cheeses means not all dairy products are created equal in the vegetarian world. For those with strict ethical concerns about the dairy industry, veganism and the growing number of plant-based alternatives offer a clear path forward. It is crucial for anyone adopting or navigating a vegetarian diet to be aware of these subtle but important distinctions to align their food choices with their values.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic: Vegetarian diet: How to get the best nutrition
- Healthline: 6 Types of Vegetarian Diets: A Dietitian Explains
- The Spruce Eats: Can Vegetarians Drink Milk?
- Meati Foods: What’s the Difference Between Vegan and Vegetarian?
- Animal Equality: Is Dairy Vegan?
