Vegans v vegetarians?

1. 59

   hinckles komaposted 15 years ago

   Can someone explain the difference, and what is actually better for health?

   replyreport
   1. 81

      sunforgedposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Health differences, minimal/unconfirmed
      
      vegetarian= no eating of animals
      
      vegans = no eating/wearing of any animal products (period)
      careful to avoid seemingly animal free products that use meat byproducts or anything derived from cruelty to animals

      replyreport
2. 0

   bloodnlatexposted 15 years ago

   I say this should be discussed over a nice big bloody steak!

   replyreport
   1. 0

      A Texanposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      with a side of chicken!

      replyreport
3. 0

   Louidam1posted 15 years ago

   I never even knew there was a difference.

   replyreport
4. 59

   hinckles komaposted 15 years ago

   yeah tofu is a big thing with vegans i think is that all they eat?

   replyreport
   1. 72

      torimariposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Omfg.
      
      And, really, there is a big difference. :s Vegetarians usually can eat just about anything meat-eaters do except meat...vegans are very limited. You'd be surprised what has animal products in it.
      
      Anyhoo, like was mentioned, vegetarians (like meee) do not eat meat, but usually eat dairy (eggs, milk, cheese).
      
      Some people claim to be vegetarians and eat fish still...but as that is a form of an animal's meat, don't be fooled by them.
      
      Vegans try to avoid anything containing animal products whether in food, clothing, or other products.
      
      Some vegans/vegetarians are stricter than others.
      
      For example, my friend who is a vegan uses unbleached sugar because normal, white sugar is bleached with animal bones. Some vegans don't go that far. Some don't eat marshmallows, Jello or gummy bears (there is a vegan versions tho) because they contain gelatin (collagen from animal bones...or something to that extent).
      
      As a vegetarian, I don't drink milk at all, and rarely eat cheese (for me....it's more so because milk makes me ill).
      I eat eggs however.
      
      I also do NOT eat tofu and rarely drink soy milk as I don't like the taste. I know vegans who don't or rarely eat tofu and eat RAW veggies and fruits. Meaning they primarily do not cook their vegetables because cooking can take some of the nutritional value away.

      replyreport
5. 81

   sunforgedposted 15 years ago

   They would be Pescatarians (which I am)
   
   Theres some good intro material here
   http://vegetarian-vitamins.net/

   replyreport
   1. 72

      torimariposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly, which is fine...just some people I know don't understand the difference. Hehe oy vey.

      replyreport
      1. 81

         sunforgedposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         "...don't be fooled by them"...your warning is apt, we are a slippery folk who cant pick a team and slip within both carnivores and herbivores with nary a trace

         replyreport
         1. 72

            torimariposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Pescatarians are omnivorous like most of humanity so I guess the gray area there would be you don't eat poultry or red meat.
            
            It's the people who eat fish or chicken yet insist they are vegetarians that are 'slippery.' I think this happens just because people misunderstand what a vegetarian is or know the right term for their diet.
            
            Just wanted to make it clear since there still is a lot of confusion over what vegetarianism is. ;D

            replyreport
6. 60

   teendadposted 15 years ago

   A friend of mine who used to be a vegetarian finally gave in to the dark side over a nice Chateaubriand.

   replyreport
7. 77

   livelongerposted 15 years ago

   vegetarians = won't eat anything that moves (no meat, including no chicken, fish, etc.)
   
   vegans = won't eat meat OR anything animal in nature (including milk, eggs, and even honey)

   replyreport
8. 59

   hinckles komaposted 15 years ago

   so what are some vegan meals? and some vegetarian meals?  what suppliments meat?

   replyreport
9. 60

   heart4thewordposted 15 years ago

   I have some experience with this topic.
   
   Vegetarian, some do eat fish or chicken once in awhile and still call themselves vegetarian.  But most would consider a true vegeterian to eat no meat.
   
   Vegan Vegetarian, a true vegan, will not eat any honey, jello, meat, eggs, milk, & cheese. 
   
   Some that I know eat allot of product with soy in them.  Will even eat fake meat...but like the others said will not wear any leather.
   
   Our experience has been that vegans can not, even stand to have leather furniture, shoes, jackets or even leather seats in a car.
   
   They can not stand the smell of meat being cooked at get togethers or family functions. 
   
   Will even go to the extent of bringing their own pots, pans and utensils to cook their own food in. 
   
   I respect how others want to eat, it is their choice.  I try not to eat meat around them.  Yet one time I had bought some noodles to cook, and didn't realize they were egg noodles.  So I guess that too drove them out of the room. 
   
   This is really hard on a family.  I grew up where allot of family holidays and get togethers was centered around food, and yes there was usually meat.  The food issue has put a wedge between us, because of their beliefs.
   
   It seemed I would not realize it until we were there sitting in their living room, that I had leather shoes on and was carrying a leather purse...and wouldn't you know it the new car we bought had leather seat too:(  I felt like we just couldn't win.
   
   I even tryed myself to eat vegan for 7 days.  It didn't work for me, my body kept getting weaker and weaker.  I couldn't eat any of the soy products either because I have thyroid problems.  Soy doesn't work well for those who have thyroid problems. 
   
   Sorry this is so long....I just have to say I started to feel I was under the law.  I am so glad that in order to get to heaven someday you do not have to be vegan.  If a person can do it, with more raw vegetables, beans, rice....all the power to them I say.

   replyreport
10. 59

    yoshi97posted 15 years ago

    Well ... animals eat plants and I eat animals ... so doesn't that make me a vegetarian by proxy?

    replyreport
    1. 61

       deartfuldodgerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Most that choose to live these lifestyles do so due to ethical considerations. Once you learn that not only can you survive without feeding industries that thrive on suffering and greed at the expense of life, that you in fact feel healthier and if wise ARE healthier, its easy to be a bit of an evangelist and to not be amused by the jokes of those who never made the effort to try.

       replyreport
       1. 59

          yoshi97posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Actually, our daughter is a vegetarian ... and why I don't proclaim to understand it, I'm proud of her for taking a stand on something she believes in and I never belittle her for her choice.

          replyreport
          1. 61

             deartfuldodgerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Comment wasnt directed at you..just pointing out that unlike say religious and political threads, where the most vocal tend to be the most uninformed and sheeple, a lifestyle choice like vegetarianism, veganism which can be difficult to begin considering our communities and families (at least here in the us) will be spoken up for by usually educated, informed strong people who made an attempt at something they believed in.
             
             Im pretty sure the thread was just started as a promo trick and someone is using one account to ask questions and another to answer/draw attention to their hubs
             
             Im actually in the process of publishing 3 hubs related to the topic myself, so im all amped up on research
             
             and congrats to your daughter! ...maybe take some cues..be sure she keeps up on her protein and b vitamins, buy her some sublingual b12 and add more dark green vegetables to your table.
             
             Just cutting down significantly on red meat will really help your health, all ethics aside...prostate cancer is virtually non-existent in samples of the veg community

             replyreport
11. 59

    hinckles komaposted 15 years ago

    "Im pretty sure the thread was just started as a promo trick and someone is using one account to ask questions and another to answer/draw attention to their hubs
    
    Im actually in the process of publishing 3 hubs related to the topic myself",                         No thats is uncorrect sir, i stareted the tread out of curiosity and thats all folks. love all koma.  Please dont guess ask me, i have no problem with the truth. How old is the girl?

    replyreport
12. 72

    torimariposted 15 years ago

    I'm glad someone asked about vegetarianism and veganism...it is often misunderstood or the diet/lifestyle is merely bashed.
    
    I think koma, who has 9 hubs and been here for awhile wasnot promoting herself or hubs under another account and had some sincere questions. It's clear it was a good topic because a lot of people here have different understandings of vegetarianism whether right, wrong or just another interpretation.
    
    Rash assumptions like that--that she made this for mere promotion under some alter account--are rather silly.

    replyreport
13. 59

    yoshi97posted 15 years ago

    She's 14 Koma ... and going through that evil teenage stage *ACK!*

    replyreport
14. 59

    hinckles komaposted 15 years ago

    She has more knowledge then me on the subject. lol

    replyreport
15. 67

    Blogging Erikaposted 15 years ago

    I call myself "mostly vegetarian."  I don't eat terrestrial meats, but I do occasionally eat fish. 
    
    As for examples of vegetarian meals, here's what I had today:
    
    Breakfast: Granola/yogurt parfait with a dollop of homemade raspberry jam for flava.
    
    Lunch: Omelet stuffed with mushrooms roasted with garlic, and shredded Tillamook cheddar cheese.
    
    Afternoon snack: Sliced honeycrisp apples sprinkled with salt, and with a few slices of Tillamook cheddar.
    
    Dinner: Bean enchiladas (made just like the directions on the can of enchilada sauce specify, but substituting a can of refried beans for the beef).  Heavier on the cheese and sour cream than might be healthy, but it's Friday, I decided to "live a little."
    
    Don't I sound just TERRIBLY DEPRIVED?! :-D

    replyreport