What's a vegan called that eats eggs? Unpacking the Difference

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to The Vegan Society's definition, veganism excludes all animal products, including eggs. This means anyone who eats eggs is, by definition, not a vegan. So, what's a vegan called that eats eggs? The correct term is actually ovo-vegetarian, though some may refer to themselves by the more modern, unofficial term, 'veggan'.

Quick Summary

An individual following a plant-based diet who consumes eggs but no dairy or meat is called an ovo-vegetarian. This differs fundamentally from veganism, which strictly avoids all animal products. The unofficial term 'veggan' refers to those who consume eggs, often from specific ethical sources, while following an otherwise vegan diet.

Key Points

Ovo-Vegetarian: An individual who consumes eggs but excludes meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products is properly called an ovo-vegetarian.
Not a Vegan: By the official definition, anyone who eats eggs is not considered a vegan, as veganism excludes all animal products.
The 'Veggan' Label: Some people use the unofficial term 'veggan' to describe an otherwise vegan diet that makes an exception for eggs, often sourced ethically from backyard hens.
Nutritional Perks: Eggs in an ovo-vegetarian diet can provide high-quality protein, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, nutrients that require careful planning on a strict vegan diet.
Calcium is Key: Ovo-vegetarians must ensure adequate calcium intake from plant-based sources or fortified foods, as they do not consume dairy products.
Ethical Differences: The core ethical difference centers on whether one views egg consumption as inherently exploitative, with strict vegans opposing it entirely, regardless of sourcing.

The Ovo-Vegetarian Diet: The Correct Term

An ovo-vegetarian is a person who eats eggs and plant-based foods but abstains from all other animal products, including meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. The prefix 'ovo' comes from the Latin word for egg, 'ovum'. This diet is a specific type of vegetarianism, distinct from both veganism and lacto-ovo-vegetarianism (which includes dairy).

People choose an ovo-vegetarian diet for various reasons, including:

Ethical concerns: Disagreement with the dairy industry's practices, such as separating calves from their mothers.
Lactose intolerance or dairy allergies: A way to follow a plant-based diet without including dairy products.
Health benefits: Enjoying the health benefits of a vegetarian diet while retaining eggs as a valuable source of protein and other nutrients.

The Rise of the 'Veggan'

While not an official term recognized by organizations like The Vegan Society, the label 'veggan' has emerged to describe those who follow an otherwise vegan diet but make an exception for eggs. The key difference often lies in the source of the eggs, with many 'veggans' prioritizing ethical sourcing from pasture-raised or backyard hens.

Motivation: This flexibility can be driven by perceived health benefits, such as needing an additional source of nutrients like vitamin B12, or as a way to transition towards a stricter vegan diet.
Controversy: The concept of 'vegganism' is contentious within the vegan community. Critics argue that consuming any animal product, regardless of the source, fundamentally violates vegan principles. The Vegan Society's spokesperson, Jimmy Pierce, suggests that buying any eggs reinforces animal exploitation.

Nutritional Considerations for Ovo-Vegetarians

Including eggs in a plant-based diet can offer several nutritional advantages, but careful planning is still required. A well-planned ovo-vegetarian diet can be highly nutritious and healthy.

Nutrients from eggs:

High-quality protein: Eggs are a complete protein source, providing all essential amino acids.
Vitamin B12: Found naturally in animal products, B12 is crucial for nerve function and red blood cell production.
Vitamin D: Essential for bone health, vitamin D can be obtained from eggs, particularly those from pasture-raised hens.
Choline: An important nutrient for brain health and cell function, found in eggs.

Potential deficiencies on a dairy-free diet:

Calcium: Since ovo-vegetarians don't consume dairy, they must ensure adequate calcium intake from plant sources like leafy greens, tofu, and fortified plant milks.

Ovo-Vegetarian vs. Vegan: A Comparison


Feature	Vegan	Ovo-Vegetarian	Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
Meat, Poultry, Fish	No	No	No
Eggs	No	Yes	Yes
Dairy	No	No	Yes
Honey	No	Optional (often no)	Optional (often yes)
Core Philosophy	Excludes all animal exploitation, wherever possible	Primarily health/ethics-based avoidance of meat and dairy	Avoids meat/fish, but accepts eggs and dairy production
Nutritional Focus	Careful planning for nutrients like B12, iron, calcium, omega-3s	Eggs supplement protein, B12, D. Need focus on calcium from plant sources	Dairy and eggs provide key nutrients. Still focus on plant-based food groups

Ethical and Environmental Factors

Both vegans and ovo-vegetarians are often motivated by ethical and environmental concerns, but their stances differ on eggs.

Vegan View: Considers all animal products, including eggs, a form of exploitation due to industry practices, including the culling of male chicks, regardless of housing conditions.
Ovo-Vegetarian View: May accept eggs, particularly from small, ethical farms, viewing them as a product that does not require the animal's death.

For more on ethical considerations and the differences in environmental impact between dietary patterns, you can read resources that compare vegan and vegetarian diets.

Conclusion

To answer the question what's a vegan called that eats eggs?, the clear and recognized term is an ovo-vegetarian. While a newer, informal term, 'veggan,' exists, it is not consistent with the strict ethical principles of traditional veganism. Understanding the distinction is crucial for both dietary labels and nutritional planning. Both ovo-vegetarian and vegan diets can be healthy and sustainable, provided they are well-planned and ensure all nutritional needs are met through a balanced intake of plant foods, and in the ovo-vegetarian's case, eggs. Choosing the right path depends on personal ethical stances, health goals, and commitment to avoiding animal products. It's a spectrum, and each individual's choices contribute to their unique nutritional profile and ethical footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the definition by organizations like The Vegan Society, veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, which includes not consuming any animal products, such as eggs. Since eggs are produced by an animal, they are not considered vegan.

The main difference is dairy consumption. An ovo-vegetarian consumes eggs but avoids all dairy products and meat, while a lacto-ovo vegetarian includes both eggs and dairy products in their plant-based diet.

An ovo-vegetarian diet includes a wide variety of plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, in addition to eggs. They avoid all meat, fish, poultry, and dairy.

No, 'veggan' is an unofficial, newer term used to describe those who follow a primarily vegan diet but make a conscious choice to include eggs, often from ethical sources. It is not recognized by official vegan organizations.

While eggs provide key nutrients like vitamin B12 and protein, ovo-vegetarians must be mindful of getting enough calcium since they exclude dairy products. This can be achieved through fortified plant milks and calcium-rich plant foods.

Motivations vary, but reasons can include disagreeing with dairy industry practices while feeling that consuming humanely-sourced eggs is acceptable. Some also find it an easier way to meet certain nutritional needs like vitamin B12, which eggs provide.

Yes, a well-planned ovo-vegetarian diet can be healthy for all life stages, provided it is balanced and includes a variety of nutrient-dense plant foods. As with any diet, it may be necessary to monitor nutrient intake, such as calcium, and consider supplements if needed.