The popularity of vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based lifestyles has boomed in the last decade. You may have noticed that more vegan food and meat-free alternatives are popping up at grocery stores, restaurants, and even quick-serve spots like Starbucks and Burger King. As the trend toward reducing meat and animal products in our diet grows in popularity, many people have begun to adopt different forms of this lifestyle.
There are 7.3 million people in the US that follow a vegetarian diet, and of those, 1 million are strict vegans. However, an additional 22.8 million adults in the US say they follow a vegetarian-leaning diet. So, what’s the difference between all these terms? Is going vegan difficult? Let’s get into the meat – ahem – veggies of the situation.
What is Vegan?
A vegan diet is one that excludes meat products such as fish, beef, and poultry as well as animal byproducts. That’s right, vegans are crossing eggs and dairy off the list, so to go fully vegan, you’ll have to find a dairy-free substitute for your favorite cheeses and ice cream. Vegans also opt out of purchasing products made from animals like leather or products that were tested on animals. Don’t worry, being vegan is easier now than ever! The global vegan food market is expected to grow 12.4% between now and 2027.
What is Vegetarianism?
Linked closely to being vegan, vegetarianism is a diet that cuts out the consumption of meat (fish, beef, poultry, etc.) while still eating dairy products and eggs. If you’re looking to dip reduce your meat consumption and have a positive impact on the environment, but not totally ready to commit to vegan food only, vegetarianism is a great alternative.
What is the Difference Between Vegan and Plant-Based?
Another term that is thrown into the mix is “plant-based.” While those who consider themselves to follow a plant-based diet are not vegan, they follow many of the same principles. Plant-based diets allow for a bit more flexibility than strict vegan or vegetarian diets; they try to avoid animal products and focus on eating mostly plant-based products. However, they do not strictly eliminate all animal products.
3 Vegan Recipes to Try
The best way to approach veganism, vegetarianism, or any plant-based diet is to start small. Opt for switching out a few meat-based meals a week and in no time, you’ll find that integrating more plant-based choices is much easier than you thought. If you’re looking to get started, try one of these simple vegan recipes: lazy vegan curry, delicious oatmeal, or fresh mixed salad. Vegan food is nutritious AND delicious!
To make vegan recipes even easier, invest in some of Comfee’s top-of-the-line kitchen appliances. Not only are all of our products stylish, but they are as affordable and functional as can be. Our Personal Blender makes great vegan smoothies, the oatmeal above can be made in a flash using the Comfee Electric Pressure Cooker, and our Retro Air Fryer is fabulous for mixing up how you cook veggies. With the right resources, the right tools in your kitchen, and a curious mindset, you can adapt to a vegan lifestyle with ease.
