Vegans vs. Vegetarians vs. Non-Vegetarians: Let’s Get the Facts Right

For a meat-lover who has been savoring bacon cheese burgers and chicken steak, the sudden switch to vegetarianism is unimaginable. The very thought of switching over to vegetarianism can give some people the heebie-jeebies. It is not uncommon for us to start believing each and everything that we hear and read about. Out of all such information some may be correct, while the rest may just be myths that we start believing blindly. Each one carries their own opinion about what kind of diet to follow.

There are many people who switch to vegetarianism or veganism, and some who turn non-vegetarians. This leaves most of us in a fix, as we struggle to understand what kind of a diet should actually be followed. You can read along, to know about the individual advantages of all these different diets, and accordingly choose what kind of a diet would best-suit you. The different aspects of all these three diets have been discussed below:

Non-Vegetarian Diet

This diet is meant for those who believe that their canines are a gift from God to help savor some of the best things in the world. 

• Food Consumed: The non-vegetarians consume fish, poultry and meat. Their diet may sometimes, also include certain vegetarian food items.
• Nutrient Intake: Non-vegetarians consume more calories as compared to their vegetarian and vegan counterparts. The non vegetarian diet has more cholesterol, proteins, sodium and fats, but is less fibrous as compared to the other two diets. Some non-vegetarians also include some Herbal products in their regular diet for achieving the best nutritional value.

Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarian diet is simple, plant-based diet which also includes consumption of certain animal products such as milk, honey and sometimes even eggs.

• Food Consumed: The vegetarian diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, etc. Most vegetarians consume dairy products and some even take eggs. Vegetarians, however, do not consume meat and fish.
• Nutrient Intake: The calorie consumption for vegetarians is less than that of the non-vegetarians. The vegetarian diet is comparatively more fibrous and has less protein as compared to the non-vegetarian diet. They are more likely to consume more cholesterol and fats as compared to vegans.

Vegan Diet

Vegan diet is not just about a diet but a completely different lifestyle. Vegans often do not even use animal products such as leather in their daily lives. It is an abstemious diet that requires a great amount of restraint and most vegans use Herbalife Products.

• Food Consumed: The vegan diet is similar to the vegetarian diet, with the exception that vegans do not consume or use any animal products such as honey, milk, eggs and other dairy products.
• Nutrient Intake: This self-disciplined diet is believed to be a good diet plan for reducing weight as it has minimum calorie consumption, as compared to the other two diets. The only nutrients that are lacking in a vegan diet are amino acids and Vitamin B12.

Environmental and Ethical Aspects

Most people are wary of a non-vegetarian diet due to moral, ethical and environmental beliefs. These people strictly advocate vegan or vegetarian diet. Vegans are of a view that consumption of animal products is a form of exploitation of animals. The non-vegetarian diet is usually seen to be harmful for the environment, as it involves animal slaughter. According to recent studies, the average greenhouse gas produced by a vegetarian is far less as compared to a meat-eating non-vegetarian. Some more recent findings also proved that turning non-vegetarian can also be good for the environment. We know that cattle can even graze on an inferior land, which may be unsuitable for growing crops. This means that less food needs to be imported from other places, and hence the burning of fossil fuels can be greatly curtailed.

Which One is the Healthiest Option?

After getting the information about the exact nutrient details and environmental aspects of these diets, you may be wondering which diet plan is the most beneficial for you. It is best to adopt a proper balanced diet which may be vegetarian, non-vegetarian or vegan. You can also consume  Herbal Products along with the diet you choose, after considering the nutrient requirements for your body.

Another important factor that comes into play while adopting a particular diet plan is your body type. There are many instances where people switch to vegan diets for losing weight. On the other hand, there are also certain atheletes or underweight individuals who opt for a non-vegetarian diet in order to gain weight and increase their stamina.

You can now let go of myths and start analyzing the best suited diet for your body. It is, however, imperative for you to know the nutrient requirement of your body. You may even consider consulting a physician for a better diet plan that helps you remain healthy and fit.

Summary

We are living in a world that greatly emphasizes the need for good health and an appropriate lifestyle. With so many new advancements and evolution of newer forms of diets, most of us are left confused and remain unaware of the requirements of our body. In such cases, we fall prey to different myths and start following them blindly. It is best to try and garner the exact nutrient details and health benefits of these diets before following them.