Understanding the Most Common Terms
For many, a person who is not vegan is simply referred to as an "omnivore." This is a biologically accurate term for an organism that consumes both plants and animals. However, as the vegan and plant-based movements have grown, more nuanced terminology has emerged to describe people with varying dietary choices. The right term often depends on whether the diet includes meat, fish, dairy, eggs, or a combination of these.
The Biologically Accurate: Omnivore
The most straightforward and scientifically sound term for humans who consume both plant- and animal-derived foods is "omnivore." This term applies to the vast majority of the human population and is a neutral description of our species' general dietary capability. It is not tied to any ethical or political viewpoint on eating animals, making it a safe and widely understood term in most contexts.
The Direct Descriptor: Meat-Eater
For many, the most common and simple description for someone who eats meat is a "meat-eater". While this term is easily understood, some may find it a politically charged or oversimplified label that ignores the nuances of their diet. It focuses solely on the consumption of meat, overlooking other food groups that may be part of their meals.
The Ideological Approach: Carnist
Another term sometimes used by those in the vegan community is "carnist," coined by social psychologist Melanie Joy. Carnism is defined as the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. Proponents of this term argue that eating meat is not a natural given but a choice that stems from a learned ideology. This term is far from neutral and is primarily used within activist or academic contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Categorizing Different Non-Vegan Diets
Not all non-vegan diets are the same. Many people follow specific patterns that are less restrictive than a vegan diet but still exclude certain animal products. Knowing these subcategories provides a more precise description.
The Semi-Vegetarian or Flexitarian
A flexitarian, also known as a semi-vegetarian, primarily follows a plant-based diet but occasionally includes meat, fish, or poultry. This approach is often driven by health or environmental reasons, and its flexibility makes it appealing to many who want to reduce their meat consumption without eliminating it entirely.
The Pescatarian
A pescatarian is a person who avoids all meat and poultry but eats fish and other seafood. Their diet is essentially vegetarian with the addition of fish. Like flexitarians, many pescatarians adopt this diet for health benefits, such as the healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, or for ethical considerations regarding other types of animal farming.
The Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
This is one of the most common types of vegetarianism. A lacto-ovo vegetarian excludes all meat, poultry, and fish but consumes dairy products (lacto) and eggs (ovo). It is important to distinguish this from veganism, which excludes all animal-derived products, including dairy and eggs.
Comparison of Non-Vegan Diet Terminology
| Term | What is Eaten? | Common Motivations | Potential Ethical/Political Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omnivore | All food groups, including plants and animals. | Default human diet, preference, convenience, biological fact. | Generally neutral, but can be viewed differently by advocates. |
| Meat-Eater | Primarily refers to someone eating meat, but also consumes other foods. | Preference, convenience, culture. | Can be perceived as oversimplified or confrontational in some contexts. |
| Carnist | Meat and other animal products, based on an ideological belief system. | Coined to challenge the ideology of eating certain animals. | Highly political; used to draw a parallel with other oppressive systems. |
| Flexitarian | Mostly plant-based, with occasional inclusion of meat, fish, or poultry. | Health, environmental concerns, flexibility. | Not considered vegetarian or vegan, offering a middle ground. |
| Pescatarian | Plant-based foods, dairy, eggs, and fish/seafood. | Health (omega-3s), ethical reasons related to land animals. | More restricted than a full omnivore, but still includes animal life. |
| Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian | Plant-based foods, dairy, and eggs. | Ethical opposition to killing animals for meat, health, tradition. | Avoids meat but not all animal products, different from veganism. |
Choosing the Right Term
Selecting the appropriate term depends heavily on the context and the level of specificity required. For a simple, neutral description, "omnivore" is the most scientifically accurate word. If you are discussing the nuances of a diet that excludes some animal products but not all, a more specific term like "pescatarian" or "flexitarian" is appropriate. For discussions rooted in ethics or ideology, terms like "carnist" may be used, though they are often seen as politically loaded.
Ultimately, understanding the range of terminology allows for more precise communication about diet and lifestyle. A person is not simply defined by what they don't eat, but by the specific and varied choices they make regarding their food.
Conclusion
There is no single universal word to describe every person who is not vegan. The most accurate descriptor depends entirely on the individual's eating habits and the context of the conversation. Options range from the broad and scientific 'omnivore' to more specific terms like 'flexitarian' or 'pescatarian.' Understanding this diverse terminology helps to better appreciate the spectrum of human dietary choices, moving beyond a simple binary of 'vegan' or 'not vegan.'
