Vegetarian and Vegan: What's the difference?

     I can't begin to tell you how many of my friends, as well as my family, don't know the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan. I know it's not something they're interested in, which is why they don't pay most attention, which is understandable. For those who are interested in being a vegetarian or a vegan, or for those who are just curious, it can be a little mind boggling at first. Here are the different vegetarian and non vegetarian diets, simple and spelled out

Semi-vegetarianism:

• Pescatarian: Someone who consumes no land animal flesh, but does consume fish, dairy, eggs, and honey 
• Pollotarian: Someone who does not consume meat, pork, or fish but does consume chicken, dairy, eggs, and honey
• Pesce-Pollotarian: Someone who does not consume meat or pork, but does consume chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey

Vegetarianism:

• Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: Someone who consumes no animal flesh, but still consumes dairy, eggs, and honey. Usually just called "Vegetarian"
• Lacto Vegetarian: Someone who consumes no animal flesh or eggs, but still consumes dairy and honey
• Ovo Vegetarian: Someone who consumes no animal flesh or dairy, but still consumes eggs and honey
• Vegan: Someone who does not consume any animal products whatsoever, or own any animal based products (such as fur coats and leather products)
• Raw Vegan: A vegan who's diet consists of unprocessed vegan foods that have not been heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Also called "Raw Food Diet"

So...what's the difference?

Vegetarian and Pescatarian

A vegetarian and pescatarian are often confused and viewed identical by many omnivores (someone who consumes both animal flesh and plant based products- aka 'normal' or 'regular'). One of the most common questions towards vegetarians is "Well...you can still have fish right?". If you're a vegetarian, then no. If you're a pescatarian, then yes. 

Vegetarian and Vegan

The basic difference between a vegetarian and a vegan is that a vegetarian consumes dairy, eggs, and honey. Honey is a big vegan debate, so while a standard vegan diet would not include honey, some less strict vegans do include it in their diet.

Vegan and Raw Vegan

While vegans do eat many raw foods such as raw veggies, nuts, and fruit, they also cook foods such as whole grains. Raw Vegans only eat raw food, meaning no cooked food whatsoever 

That's the difference, in a nutshell! :)