How do vegetarian diets differ from vegan diets?

The primary difference between vegetarian and vegan diets lies in the extent to which animal products are excluded from one's lifestyle and consumption.

• Vegetarianism: Vegetarians exclude all forms of animal flesh, including meat, fowl, and seafood. However, many vegetarians continue to consume animal-derived products such as milk, dairy, and eggs, often on the grounds that these items do not require the slaughter of the animal.123
• Veganism: Veganism is a more comprehensive practice that involves abstaining from all animal products. Beyond excluding meat, dairy, eggs, and honey from their diet, many vegans also avoid using any items derived from animals, such as leather, silk, wool, or products tested on animals.31

While vegetarianism is often adopted for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, veganism is frequently practiced as a broader philosophical commitment to animal rights and a rejection of animal exploitation in all forms.31