What's the difference between a Vegetarian and a Vegan?

1. 80

   J.S.Matthewposted 12 years ago

   What's the difference between a Vegetarian and a Vegan?
   
   My daughter asked me this question today and I noticed that you identify as a vegetarian and I am interested in your response to this question.

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2. 78

   mattdigiulioposted 12 years ago

   Hey J.S.,
   
   I'm no expert... I am neither of the above, so there are millions of people who know better... but, I think a vegetarian is pretty straight-forward: they don't eat meat. They do eat pretty much everything else. There are caveats though: Pesca-tarians eat fish but no other meat, etc,
   Vegans are more strict. Only vegetables?? Hmmm... I'll Follow this ques. to know more.
   Best, Matt

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3. 76

   Rob Wintersposted 12 years ago

   As far as i know vegetarians just avoid eating any meat products wheras vegans also avoid dairy and eggs and strictly speaking also avoid using all other animal products such as fur, leather, wool etc. I confess i'm neither also but i think that's the difference between them.

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4. 61

   wendi_wposted 12 years ago

   Vegetarians eat no meat but do eat animal products like eggs, milk and cheese. Vegans eat no animal products in any way. Strict vegans  or ethical vegan also use no animal products at all . There are many different levels of Vegetarians and Vegans. And many reasons from health concerns to ethical standards concerning the rights of animals that drive people to choose either.

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5. 60

   mareezy13posted 12 years ago

   A vegan buys things that have no ties what-so-ever to animals or fish.  No eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, fish, etc. 
   A vegetarian will not eat meat or fish.
   A lacto-vegetarian will not use dairy or meat but may eat eggs.
   An ovo-lacto vegetarian will not eat eggs, dairy, or meat.
   Hope this helps, I am a vegetarian and do not eat meat, but will eat fish...

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6. 76

   BukowskiBabeposted 12 years ago

   I know the difference, but when I give up meat, I go lacto-ovo. It's a marketing ploy I use to get my family on board. That way I can tell them we can still eat pizza. After years of talkiing to my daughter about how much animals suffer due to meat consumption, she is now open to trying vegatarianism, and of course, it was somehow a schoolmate who swayed her.  Not good old mom. Kids!

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7. 59

   Jason Jensenposted 12 years ago

   The other answers are correct. I can't call myself a vegan, per se, because I will eat eggs if they come from someone's pet birds. For example, my girlfriend's parents have some pet hens and give us the eggs. I also eat honey. Other than that, no meat, no dairy and no fur, leather, etc... So you could call me a strict vegetarian.

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