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Writer's pictureThe Young Vegan

The Difference Between Being Plant-Based and Vegan

The Difference Between Being Plant-Based and Vegan: Understanding the Key Distinctions


In recent years, there's been growing interest in plant-based diets and veganism, but while these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different lifestyles and philosophies. It's important to understand these distinctions, as they can affect everything from dietary choices to ethical decisions regarding the use of animal products.


What Does It Mean to Be Plant-Based?

Being plant-based primarily refers to a person's diet, focusing on eating predominantly, or entirely, plant-derived foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. However, unlike veganism, being plant-based doesn't necessarily extend into other areas of life, such as clothing or cosmetics and it doesn't always mean that someone doesn't ever eat meat, eggs or dairy.


People who are plant-based might follow a diet that is mostly plants, but it doesn't strictly exclude all animal products. For example, someone who identifies as plant-based may occasionally consume eggs, dairy, or even meat, such as chicken or fish. The emphasis is on prioritising plant foods, but there can still be some room for animal products, depending on personal preferences or health needs. Moreover, a person who is plant-based might still wear leather, wool, or other materials made from animals. This is where the philosophy diverges from veganism, as plant-based living is primarily a dietary choice rather than an ethical stance against all forms of animal exploitation. Whether it's for health reasons, to cut back on saturated fats for example, or a more moral stance such as reducing the amount of meat that a person consumes to lower their carbon footprint, being plant-based can be quite different to being vegan.


A bowl of green fruits and vegetables

What Does It Mean to Be Vegan?

Veganism, on the other hand, is a lifestyle choice that extends beyond diet. Vegans avoid all animal-derived products, not just meat, dairy and eggs, but also honey, leather, wool, silk and cosmetics made with or tested on animals. For vegans, the commitment is rooted in the desire to avoid contributing to the exploitation and harm of animals in all forms.


This ethical approach governs not only what they eat but also the products they buy, the clothes they wear and the way that they live their lives. Veganism is about reducing harm to animals as much as possible, making it a lifestyle that is as more about ethics than about food.


The Overlap and Confusion

The confusion between the two terms often arises because both involve an emphasis on plant-based foods. A vegan's diet is inherently plant-based, but someone following a plant-based diet isn't necessarily vegan. The plant-based approach is often viewed as more flexible and the motivations behind it may vary. For example, many people choose a plant-based diet for health reasons rather than ethical ones. They may want to reduce their intake of animal products to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, or promote sustainability, while still enjoying some animal-based products.


Understanding the Difference

In summary, the main difference between being plant-based and vegan lies in the scope and commitment. While a plant-based diet focuses primarily on eating plants it can include occasional animal products and does not extend to lifestyle choices such as clothing or cosmetics. Veganism meanwhile, is a more comprehensive ethical stance focused not on the individual, but on others, that seeks to eliminate the use of all animal products in food and all aspects of life.


Understanding these differences helps to clarify the motivations behind these choices and dispels the common misconception that plant-based and vegan are the same thing. Being vegan isn't a choice for that person, it is about living in a way that results in the least harm to animals and the planet, benefiting everyone. Although the reasons for and the methods of being planet-based are different to those of being vegan, we should not see being planet-based as bad. Everyone makes what they feel is the best choice for themselves and hopefully those who are plant-based will fully transition to being vegan, until then, we will keep advocating for the animals. Telling the truth and being their voice.


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