Vegan vs Plant Based 

It seems that different forms of eating have become all the rage lately. There is vegan, paleo, gluten-free, plant based, non-processed and keto just to name a few. Some are medically based and revolve around a verified physical condition such as a wheat allergy. Others are lifestyle decisions that are principle based. Lastly some are trending fads usually driven by an Instagram celebrity.

Two of the more popular and generally confusing are the whole food plant-based diet and the vegan lifestyle. Many think they are the same, a vegan diet is not the same thing as a whole food plant-based diet. I’m going to break it down for you.

VEGAN

People who eat a vegan diet do not eat animal-based products. This includes meat, dairy, eggs, or animal-derived ingredients, like honey. This lifestyle extends beyond excluding food and ingredients made from animal products. It carries over to everyday life.

Shoes, clothes, accessories, makeup, shampoo—anything made with materials that come from animals, like leather and beeswax are off limits.

WHOLE-FOOD PLANT BASED

Like the vegan diet, people who eat a whole food plant-based diet avoid animal-based products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. Unlike the vegan diet, processed foods, including oil, white flour, and refined sugar is not part of the diet. This way of eating is based around unprocessed or minimally processed veggies, fruit, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Here is an easy way to remember the distinction between the vegan diet and the whole food plant-based diet: people who are vegan can eat Oreo cookies, Oreo’s are not made from animal products. People who are whole food plant-based cannot eat Oreo's.

People’s motivation for adopting a vegan diet and lifestyle is prompted by animal rights issues and the ethical treatment of animals. People who follow a whole food plant-based diet generally do it for their health reasons.

One way of eating isn’t better than the other; it all depends on your motivation. If your main motivation is losing weight, boosting your immune system, and getting seriously healthy, the whole food plant-based diet is the way to go. If your main motivation is the ethical treatment of animals, the vegan diet is perfect. And if you want both, the whole food plant-based diet is the one.

Do not let your choice of “diets” be swayed by any social media platforms or personalities. Decide what is best for you based on your physical needs along with your lifestyle convictions. When you make any major change in your diet, expect reactions from your body and always consult the proper medical person to determine any potential side-effects.

Any questions, comments or concerns, please do e-mail me at michael@alliesnaturals.com.