What's a Vegan That Eats Chicken? An Explanation of Dietary Labels

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Over a third of people worldwide are reducing their meat consumption, yet confusion persists about dietary labels. So, what's a vegan that eats chicken? The simple answer is that they are not truly a vegan; they likely follow a different, less restrictive dietary pattern like pollotarianism or flexitarianism.

Quick Summary

An individual who claims to be a vegan but consumes chicken is mislabeling their diet. The correct terms for this semi-vegetarian eating pattern include pollotarian, flexitarian, or plant-based, depending on the specific inclusions. A true vegan diet excludes all animal products.

Key Points

Misnomer: The term "vegan that eats chicken" is an oxymoron; a true vegan excludes all meat and animal products.
Pollotarianism: The correct term for someone who eats chicken and poultry but avoids red meat and pork.
Flexitarianism: Describes a semi-vegetarian who primarily eats plant-based but consumes meat occasionally.
Motivations: Semi-vegetarian diets are often motivated by health concerns or a desire to reduce meat consumption, not the strict animal rights ethics of veganism.
Clarity: Using the correct terminology is crucial for clear communication about dietary choices and to reflect accurately on ethical and health commitments.

Demystifying Dietary Labels: Why a Vegan Can't Eat Chicken

By definition, veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, extending to diet by avoiding all animal products, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. Therefore, the phrase "a vegan that eats chicken" is a contradiction in terms. The person is simply not a vegan. This misunderstanding often arises from a lack of clarity around the various forms of plant-based or semi-vegetarian diets.

Pollotarianism: The Chicken-Friendly Diet

One of the most fitting terms for someone who eats chicken but avoids other meats is a pollotarian, or sometimes a pollo-vegetarian. This is a semi-vegetarian diet that includes poultry, like chicken and turkey, while excluding red meat and pork. People choose this diet for various reasons, including perceived health benefits, such as a lowered risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes, or environmental concerns about red meat production.

Flexitarianism: The Occasional Meat Eater

Another possibility is that the individual is a flexitarian. As the name suggests, this is a flexible dietary approach that is primarily plant-based but includes meat, dairy, and other animal products on occasion. A person who identifies as a flexitarian might have a meal with chicken from time to time, but their overall diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins. For some, this serves as a stepping stone toward a stricter vegetarian or vegan diet.

The Importance of Correct Terminology

Using the correct dietary term is important for several reasons. It helps to accurately communicate personal choices to others and ensures that dietary guidelines are followed correctly for health or ethical reasons. Mislabeling a diet, such as calling oneself vegan while eating chicken, can cause confusion and undermine the clear ethical and dietary principles that define true veganism.

Reasons Behind Semi-Vegetarian Choices

People who follow a semi-vegetarian diet often have nuanced motivations that distinguish their choices from those of a true vegan. While a vegan's commitment is typically rooted in a philosophy of animal rights and environmentalism, a semi-vegetarian's reasons may be a mix of health, practicality, and lesser ethical concerns. For instance, someone might avoid red meat for heart health but feel that chicken is a leaner, healthier protein choice. Others may be transitioning to a fully plant-based lifestyle and find a gradual approach more manageable.

Correcting the Misconception

When you encounter someone who says they are a vegan that eats chicken, the most helpful approach is to gently explain the correct terminology. You can clarify that a vegan diet excludes all meat and animal products, and that their eating pattern might better align with a label like pollotarian or flexitarian. This can educate them without making them feel judged for their personal choices. It's about understanding and respecting the precise definitions of each dietary path.

Comparison: Vegan vs. Pollotarian


Feature	Vegan Diet	Pollotarian Diet
Meat (All)	Excluded	Chicken and other poultry included; red meat and pork excluded
Fish/Seafood	Excluded	Excluded (Unless pollo-pescetarian)
Dairy	Excluded	Varies by individual; often included
Eggs	Excluded	Varies by individual; often included
Core Philosophy	Avoidance of all animal exploitation	Healthier alternative to red meat, personal preference, or transition diet
Nutrient Concerns	B12, Calcium, Iron, Zinc (can be managed with supplementation)	Can have higher cholesterol than vegan diet

Making the Switch: From Chicken-Eater to Plant-Based

For those who currently eat chicken but are considering a move towards a fully plant-based or vegan diet, a gradual transition is often the most successful strategy. Starting with meatless Mondays or replacing one meat-based meal a day with a plant-based alternative can help you acclimate to the change. Incorporating new flavors and protein sources, such as beans, lentils, and tofu, will make the journey more exciting and ensure you meet your nutritional needs. A wide variety of plant-based cookbooks and online resources can provide inspiration for delicious and satisfying meat-free meals.

Conclusion

In summary, the notion of a "vegan that eats chicken" is a misconception based on a misunderstanding of what a vegan diet entails. The accurate term for someone who eats chicken but avoids other meats is a pollotarian. For those who eat meat occasionally, the term flexitarian is appropriate. Educating oneself and others on these distinctions is key to having a clear and honest conversation about dietary choices. For anyone on a journey towards a more plant-centric diet, labels are less important than the intention behind the choices, but accurate language helps everyone understand the commitment and reasoning behind the decision. For further information on ethical eating, consider resources from organizations like The Humane League.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a pollotarian eats poultry (like chicken), while a pescetarian eats fish and seafood but typically avoids poultry and red meat.

A vegetarian avoids meat and poultry, but may eat animal by-products like eggs and dairy. A vegan excludes all animal products entirely.

The confusion usually stems from not knowing the specific definitions of different diets. They may be reducing their meat intake and assume 'vegan' is the general term for a plant-focused diet, not realizing the philosophical and dietary restrictions it includes.

Yes, a pollotarian diet can be healthy, especially if it emphasizes whole, plant-based foods alongside lean poultry. It is often seen as a healthier alternative to diets high in red meat.

For those transitioning or wanting vegan alternatives, substitutes include tofu, seitan, tempeh, jackfruit, or specific plant-based chicken products.

Generally, yes. The environmental impact of poultry farming is typically lower than that of cattle farming, but a plant-based diet has the lowest overall environmental footprint.

Accidentally eating meat is not harmful unless you have a specific allergy. The best course of action is to simply return to your normal vegan eating habits. Some individuals may experience psychological distress, but there are no lasting nutritional consequences.