Nutrition Diet Essentials: What is a vegan person called?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to The Vegan Society, the number of vegans is on the rise globally. When exploring this plant-based approach to eating and living, a common question is: what is a vegan person called? The answer is simple—they are called a vegan—but the practice encompasses more than just a diet.

Quick Summary

A person who practices veganism is called a vegan. This lifestyle involves excluding all animal products and byproducts from one's diet and lifestyle for ethical, health, or environmental reasons. The nutritional aspects of a well-planned vegan diet require mindful eating and supplementation.

Key Points

The Term Vegan: A person who practices veganism is called a vegan, a term coined to mark the "beginning and end of vegetarianism".
Lifestyle Commitment: Veganism is a philosophy that extends beyond food, encompassing choices in clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment to avoid animal exploitation.
Key Nutritional Needs: A well-planned vegan diet requires special attention to nutrients like vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron, often obtained through fortified foods and supplements.
Distinct from Vegetarianism: Unlike many vegetarians, vegans exclude all animal byproducts, including eggs, dairy, and honey, from their diet.
Diverse Dietary Approaches: The vegan diet varies among individuals, from whole-food focused eating to incorporating processed vegan alternatives.
Ethical and Environmental Motivations: Many people adopt veganism for ethical reasons related to animal welfare or to reduce their environmental impact.

Understanding the Term: What is a vegan person called?

At its most basic, a person who practices veganism is called a vegan. The term was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, co-founder of The Vegan Society, by combining the first and last letters of "vegetarian". The choice of name was intentional, signifying the beginning and end of vegetarianism, as vegans take the vegetarian diet one step further by eliminating all animal-derived products.

Veganism: More Than Just a Diet

While a vegan diet is a core component, veganism is defined by a broader philosophy. It is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. This means that for many, being vegan influences decisions beyond what they eat, including products they use and entertainment choices.

The crucial difference between vegan and vegetarian

One of the most frequent points of confusion is distinguishing between a vegan and a vegetarian. While both avoid meat, the distinction lies in the avoidance of animal byproducts. Vegetarians typically eat dairy and eggs, while vegans do not.


Dietary Pattern	Meat/Poultry/Fish	Dairy (milk, cheese)	Eggs	Honey	Defining Feature
Vegan	Excludes	Excludes	Excludes	Excludes	Avoids all animal products and byproducts
Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian	Excludes	Includes	Includes	Can include	Avoids flesh but consumes dairy and eggs
Pescetarian	Excludes (except fish)	Can include	Can include	Can include	Excludes land animals, includes fish/seafood
Flexitarian/Semi-Vegetarian	Occasionally includes	Can include	Can include	Can include	Primarily plant-based with occasional animal products

Nutritional considerations for a vegan diet

A well-planned vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate and offers many potential health benefits, such as a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. However, the exclusion of animal products means paying close attention to certain nutrients.

Essential nutrients for a balanced vegan diet

Vitamin B12: This vitamin is found primarily in animal products, so vegans must obtain it through fortified foods or supplementation. Many plant-based milks, cereals, and nutritional yeast are fortified with B12.
Calcium: Calcium is vital for bone health. Good vegan sources include fortified plant milks, tofu, kale, broccoli, and sesame seeds.
Vitamin D: Fortified plant milks and cereals are common sources, but sun exposure is also important. Supplements are often recommended.
Iron: While iron is available in plant foods like beans, lentils, nuts, and dark leafy greens, it's less easily absorbed than from animal sources. Pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C (like citrus fruits or peppers) can enhance absorption.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Vegans can get essential fatty acids from sources such as walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. Algal oil supplements are also an effective option.

Diverse approaches to vegan eating

Within the vegan community, there are various dietary styles that people may follow, reflecting different priorities regarding nutrition and food processing:

Whole-food vegans: These individuals focus on a diet rich in minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
"Junk-food" vegans: This term refers to those who rely heavily on processed vegan foods, such as imitation meats, frozen dinners, and vegan desserts.
Raw-food vegans: This style of veganism involves eating only foods that are raw or cooked at low temperatures.
Low-fat raw-food vegans: Also known as fruitarians, this is a very restrictive subset that primarily consumes fruit.

Making the transition to a vegan lifestyle

For those considering a vegan lifestyle, transitioning gradually can make the process smoother and more sustainable. Starting with a few vegan meals a week, experimenting with new ingredients, and finding substitutes for favorite animal-based products can ease the change. It is important to explore the variety of plant-based options available, from staple ingredients like beans and lentils to more modern plant-based meats and cheeses.

It's also essential to educate oneself about the practices behind animal products, which can reinforce the ethical motivation for staying vegan. Documentaries, books, and online communities are great resources for guidance and support.

Conclusion

So, what is a vegan person called? Simply, a vegan. However, this label represents a comprehensive commitment to a lifestyle free from animal exploitation, extending beyond just dietary choices. It is a journey that requires mindfulness about nutrition, ethical sourcing, and environmental impact. With careful planning and education, a vegan diet can be a healthy, fulfilling, and compassionate way of living that celebrates the diversity of plant-based foods. For more information, The Vegan Society offers extensive resources and support for those exploring veganism.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a vegan adheres to a lifestyle that avoids all animal exploitation, including products like leather or wool. A plant-based eater primarily focuses on diet and may or may not use animal products in other aspects of their life.

Yes, vegans can get adequate protein from a variety of plant sources. Excellent sources include beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, tofu, and other soy products. A varied diet typically provides all the necessary amino acids.

Vegans use many alternatives, such as plant-based milks (soy, almond, oat) for dairy, tofu or tempeh as meat substitutes, and flaxseeds or aquafaba as egg replacers in baking. There are also many commercial vegan cheeses and mock meats available.

No, most vegans do not consume honey. It is not considered vegan because it is a product of bees and the process of commercial beekeeping can involve the exploitation of bees.

Since Vitamin B12 is not naturally found in plant foods, vegans must obtain it from fortified foods, such as fortified plant milks and cereals, or through supplementation. The British Dietetic Association and other health bodies recommend a reliable source of B12 for vegans.

No, being vegan doesn't automatically mean a diet is healthy. Processed junk foods can be vegan, and excessive consumption of sugar, fat, and salt is still possible. A healthy vegan diet emphasizes whole plant foods.

People choose a vegan lifestyle for various reasons, including ethical considerations regarding animal cruelty, environmental concerns related to animal agriculture, and potential health benefits associated with a plant-based diet.