The main difference between vegan and vegetarian is that vegetarians avoid meat, poultry and fish but still eat animal products like dairy, eggs and honey, while vegans avoid all animal products entirely — no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, leather, wool or silk. Vegetarianism is primarily a diet; veganism is a broader lifestyle that also excludes animal-derived clothing, cosmetics tested on animals and other animal exploitation. There are several types of vegetarians: lacto-vegetarians (dairy, no eggs), ovo-vegetarians (eggs, no dairy), and lacto-ovo vegetarians (both). Vegans eat only plant-based foods. Many people move from vegetarian to vegan for ethical, environmental or health reasons. In India, where vegetarianism is common and often includes dairy, going vegan mainly means replacing milk, ghee, paneer and curd with plant-based alternatives. On EarthBased, every product is 100% vegan and screened for hidden animal ingredients, making the switch simple, with pan-India delivery in 3–5 days.
The words are often used interchangeably, but vegan and vegetarian mean quite different things. Here is a clear breakdown.
What is a Vegetarian?
A vegetarian does not eat meat, poultry or fish, but does consume some animal products. The common types are:
- Lacto-vegetarian: Eats dairy but not eggs (common in India).
- Ovo-vegetarian: Eats eggs but not dairy.
- Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Eats both dairy and eggs.
- Jain vegetarian: No meat or eggs, and no root vegetables such as onion, garlic and potato, to avoid harming living organisms.
What is a Vegan?
A vegan avoids all animal products — not just meat, but also dairy, eggs, honey, and often animal-derived materials like leather, wool and silk. Veganism extends beyond food into a whole lifestyle that avoids animal exploitation, including in clothing and cosmetics.
Vegan vs Vegetarian: Key Differences
- Dairy: Vegetarians eat it; vegans do not.
- Eggs: Many vegetarians eat them; vegans do not.
- Honey: Usually eaten by vegetarians; avoided by vegans.
- Clothing: Vegetarianism says nothing about it; vegans avoid leather, wool and silk.
- Scope: Vegetarianism is a diet; veganism is a full lifestyle.
Why People Choose Vegan Over Vegetarian
Common reasons include ethics (avoiding all animal exploitation, including the dairy and egg industries), environment (dairy has a significant carbon and water footprint), and health (avoiding cholesterol and, for the roughly 60% of Indians who are lactose-intolerant, dairy discomfort).
The environmental gap between the two diets is mostly a dairy gap. Producing one litre of cow's milk generates roughly 3.2kg of CO₂, against about 0.9kg for a litre of oat milk — which is why dropping dairy, rather than dropping meat, is the single biggest footprint change a vegetarian can make.
Nutrients to Watch on a Vegan Diet
Vegetarians get calcium and B12 fairly easily from dairy and eggs, so anyone moving to a fully plant-based diet should keep an eye on a handful of nutrients:
- Vitamin B12: Not reliably found in plant foods — use a supplement or fortified products. Worth noting that many Indian lacto-vegetarians are advised to supplement too.
- Calcium: Sesame seeds, ragi, leafy greens and fortified plant milk.
- Iron: Lentils, spinach and pumpkin seeds — pair with a source of vitamin C to improve absorption.
- Omega-3: Flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts.
- Vitamin D: Sunlight or a supplement.
Going Vegan in India
Because Indian vegetarianism already excludes meat and eggs for many, going vegan mainly means replacing dairy — swapping milk for plant milk, ghee for plant oils or vegan butter, paneer for tofu, and curd for plant-based yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian?
Vegetarians avoid meat, poultry and fish but still eat animal products like dairy, eggs and honey. Vegans avoid all animal products entirely, including dairy, eggs, honey, and animal-derived materials like leather and wool. Vegetarianism is a diet; veganism is a broader lifestyle.
Can vegetarians eat eggs and dairy?
Most vegetarians eat dairy, and many eat eggs, depending on the type. Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy but not eggs, ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy, and lacto-ovo vegetarians eat both. Vegans eat neither.
Is vegan healthier than vegetarian?
Both can be healthy when well-planned. Vegan diets avoid cholesterol and dairy, which benefits lactose-intolerant people, but require attention to B12, iron and protein. A balanced diet matters more than the label.
How do I go from vegetarian to vegan in India?
Focus on replacing dairy: swap milk for plant milk, ghee for plant oils or vegan butter, paneer for tofu, and curd for plant-based yogurt. Since Indian vegetarian food is often already egg-free, dairy is usually the main change.
Do vegans eat honey?
No. Most vegans avoid honey because it is produced by bees and considered an animal product. Alternatives include jaggery, maple syrup, date syrup and agave.
Shop 100% Vegan Products on EarthBased
EarthBased makes going vegan simple — every product is 100% vegan and screened for hidden animal ingredients, with pan-India delivery in 3–5 days: