Vegetarian or Vegan? Know the Difference
By Donna Stark
How many times have you heard that if you want to consume a healthier diet, you should add more vegetables to your plate? Well, that's good advice because doing so is a great way to incorporate more vitamins and minerals into your meals. But have you added so many vegetables recently that you are now starting to think you are a vegetarian? Or is it a vegan? Well, with all the confusion and misconceptions over the two, it may be time to clear some things up ... even if you really aren't either one of them.
The Difference Between Vegetarians and Vegans
Understanding the difference between vegetarianism and veganism as well as knowing the benefits of the two can help chiropractic patients improve their health, increase their mobility, and reduce their risk of serious medical conditions. Let's take the time to learn about each one by looking at the following information.
Vegetarianism
Although there are several different variations to the vegetarian diet, let's just focus on the most common. The standard diet of most vegetarians consists of fruit, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. It excludes the consumption of meat and fish. But even within this diet, there is still a lot of variety amongst its followers when it comes down to the use of dairy and eggs. Some will consume dairy products but not eggs, and others will consume eggs but will skip the dairy altogether. These personal preferences are generally defined by the individual and based on their overall health and fitness goals.
Veganism
On the other hand, vegans avoid eating all animal products and try not to use products that are even tested on or made from animals, such as cosmetics, clothing, and shoes. Many vegans also tend to avoid soda, processed food, and ready-to-eat meals. Their go-to items at the store and markets are generally high-quality, organic products.
The Benefits of These Diets
There are many benefits that come with these two diets. The most obvious benefit is that they tend to have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while offering significantly lower levels of fat. This is good news for chiropractic patients because it translates to a reduced risk of serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
New Diet, New You
If either one of these diets intrigues you, talk with your doctor first to see if it is the right choice and to receive guidance on how to make the change. If done correctly, this new diet of yours could make all the difference in the world with how you feel.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.