vegochef.com/guides/vegan-vs-vegetarian/Vegan vs vegetarian: what's the difference?
By the Vegochef team · Editorial standards · Last checked · 7 min read
Vegan and vegetarian are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they don't. The short version: vegetarians skip meat and fish; vegans skip all animal products. Here's the full picture, with quick answers to the questions people search most.
Vegan vs vegetarian at a glance
| Food | Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables, fruit, grains, beans, nuts, seeds | Yes | Yes |
| Eggs | Usually yes | No |
| Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter | Usually yes | No |
| Honey | Yes | No |
| Meat and poultry | No | No |
| Fish and seafood | No | No |
| Gelatin, animal rennet, meat stock | No | No |
Many vegans also avoid animal products outside food, such as leather, wool and cosmetics tested on animals. Veganism is often a wider ethical choice, while vegetarianism is mainly about diet.
Types of vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo vegetarian: eats eggs and dairy. This is what most people mean by "vegetarian".
- Lacto-vegetarian: eats dairy, but no eggs. Common in India.
- Ovo-vegetarian: eats eggs, but no dairy.
- Vegan: no animal products at all.
Not vegetarian: pescatarians eat fish and seafood, and flexitarians eat mostly plant-based food with some meat. Both are popular ways to eat more plants. See what is a pescatarian.
Are eggs vegetarian?
Yes, for most vegetarians. Eggs aren't meat, and the eggs sold in shops are unfertilised, so lacto-ovo vegetarians eat them. Lacto-vegetarians and vegans don't. If you're vegetarian, eggs are one of the easiest protein foods: two large eggs have about 13 g of protein. See high-protein vegetarian meals.
Is pasta vegan?
Most dried pasta is vegan. Typical dried pasta, such as spaghetti, penne and fusilli, is made from durum wheat semolina and water. Watch out for:
- Fresh pasta (in the chilled aisle), which is usually made with eggs.
- Egg noodles, egg tagliatelle and lasagne sheets labelled "all'uovo" or "with egg".
- Filled pasta such as ravioli and tortellini, often with cheese or meat.
- Black pasta coloured with squid ink.
Check the ingredients for egg. Pasta with egg is fine for vegetarians.
Is bread vegan?
Basic bread is vegan: flour, water, yeast and salt. Sourdough, baguettes and most supermarket loaves are usually vegan. Breads that often aren't:
- Brioche, challah and many soft rolls (eggs, butter, milk)
- Naan (often yogurt, milk or ghee)
- Breads with honey, whey or milk powder
All of these are fine for vegetarians. Vegans should check the ingredient list.
Is cheese vegetarian?
Not always. Many cheeses are made with rennet, an enzyme that traditionally comes from calves' stomachs. Traditional Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano), Grana Padano, Gorgonzola and many other European hard cheeses use animal rennet. Look for "suitable for vegetarians", or for microbial or vegetable rennet on the label. Vegan cheese is made from nuts, soy, coconut oil or starch.
Other foods to check
- Gelatin (from animal bones and skin): in gummy sweets, marshmallows, some yogurts and desserts. Not vegetarian.
- Worcestershire sauce: usually contains anchovies.
- Stock cubes and soups: often made with meat or fish stock.
- Wine and beer: some are clarified with animal products such as gelatin, isinglass (fish) or egg whites. Look for a vegan or vegetarian label.
- Pesto: usually made with Parmesan, so not vegetarian unless it uses vegetarian cheese.
Nutrition: what to watch on each diet
| Nutrient | Vegetarian | Vegan |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 | From eggs and dairy; may need extra if you eat little of them | Must come from fortified foods or a supplement |
| Calcium | Easy from dairy | Calcium-set tofu, fortified plant milk, greens |
| Iron | Plant iron only; eat with vitamin C | Plant iron only; eat with vitamin C |
| Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) | Little in the diet; consider algae oil | Little in the diet; consider algae oil |
| Protein | Eggs, dairy, legumes, soy | Legumes, soy, seitan, nuts and seeds |
More detail: what supplements vegans need, vegan omega-3 and vegan vitamin D.
Which should you choose?
Both can be healthy, balanced diets. Many people start vegetarian, because eggs and dairy make the switch easier, and some later move to vegan. Others go straight to vegan, or eat plant-based most of the time. What matters most is eating plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and covering the few nutrients each diet needs to watch.
Ready to shop? Use our vegan grocery list or vegetarian grocery list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between vegan and vegetarian?
Vegetarians avoid meat, poultry and fish but usually eat eggs and dairy. Vegans avoid all animal products, including eggs, dairy and honey, and often animal-derived ingredients in clothing and cosmetics too.
Are eggs vegetarian?
Yes, for most vegetarians. Eggs aren't meat, so lacto-ovo vegetarians eat them. Vegans and lacto-vegetarians don't.
Is pasta vegan?
Most dried pasta is: it's usually just durum wheat semolina and water. Fresh pasta and egg noodles usually contain eggs, so they're vegetarian but not vegan. Check the label for egg.
Is bread vegan?
Basic bread (flour, water, yeast and salt) is vegan. Some breads contain milk, butter, eggs, whey or honey, such as brioche, many soft rolls, naan and challah, so check the ingredients.
Is cheese vegetarian?
Not always. Traditional Parmesan and some other hard cheeses are made with animal rennet from calves. Look for 'suitable for vegetarians' or microbial or vegetable rennet.
Is honey vegan?
No. Honey is made by bees, so most vegans avoid it. It's fine for vegetarians. Vegans use maple syrup, agave or date syrup instead.
Is a pescatarian a vegetarian?
No. Pescatarians eat fish and seafood, so they're not vegetarian, although the rest of their diet often is.
Which is healthier, vegan or vegetarian?
Both can be very healthy when they're well planned, with plenty of whole foods. Vegans must get vitamin B12 from fortified foods or a supplement; vegetarians get some from eggs and dairy.
Recipes to try
Related guides
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Sources
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: position paper on vegetarian diets (2016)
- The Vegan Society: definition of veganism (vegansociety.com)
- The Vegetarian Society: definitions and cheese rennet (vegsoc.org)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: vitamin B12 fact sheet (ods.od.nih.gov)
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