Vegan vs vegetarian: what's the difference (and which is right for you)?
Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, plant-based — what each diet allows, how they compare on health and environment, and how to pick one.
May 29, 2026 · 4 min read · By VeggieOS Editorial
Vegan and vegetarian sound similar — but the difference is more than just dairy and eggs. Here's what each actually means, and how to choose.
The short definition
- Vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish. Dairy, eggs and honey are usually OK.
- Vegan: no animal products of any kind — no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, or animal-derived additives.
Sub-types you'll hear about
- Lacto-vegetarian: dairy yes, eggs no.
- Ovo-vegetarian: eggs yes, dairy no.
- Pescatarian: vegetarian + fish (not technically vegetarian).
- Plant-based: diet focus, not always ethics-based — may allow occasional animal products.
Health: do they differ?
Both can be very healthy. Vegan diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber, but require deliberate B12, vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation. Vegetarian diets that lean on cheese and eggs can match an omnivore's saturated-fat intake.
Environment
Vegan diets produce roughly 50% less greenhouse-gas emissions than vegetarian diets, largely because dairy (especially cheese) is land- and water-intensive.
Ethics
Vegans reject animal use in any form, including dairy and eggs (both industries cull male calves and chicks). Vegetarians draw the line at killing animals for meat.
Which should you choose?
If you're starting out, vegetarian is easier socially. If your priority is environment or animal welfare, vegan goes further. Many people use vegetarian as a stepping stone — there's no wrong order.