A common question Jenny Brown, Woodstock Sanctuary co-founder and acclaimed vegan author, is often asked is: what is the difference between vegan and vegetarian? A follow-up question is usually: which diet is best for me? Well, it depends on you as a person and what you’re hoping to achieve in your diet, but here is Jenny Brown’s response:

Adopting a plant-based lifestyle can be incredibly beneficial for anyone. There are numerous physical and mental health benefits; for some, there are even moralistic and spiritual bonuses! If you’re considering going this route, you may be wondering which diet or lifestyle best suits you: veganism or vegetarianism.

At the surface, the core difference between a vegetarian diet and a vegan diet is that a vegan diet excludes all animal products.  This includes meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, seafood and any other products derived from an animal.  If someone is a vegan on a moralistic and spiritual level, this person will typically steer clear of animal products in all forms — not just in food.

A vegetarian, on the other hand, avoids eating meat, poultry, fish and seafood.  However, he/she may eat or use other animal products, such as dairy and eggs.

But, the comparison actually goes a bit deeper than what’s on the surface.  Stay tuned for Jenny Brown’s explanation of the different types of vegetarian diets.  (Yes, there are more than one!)  Brown will also tap into the social, political and identity characteristics that makeup a vegan lifestyle.  Of course, this takes things a step further, as a lifestyle encompasses far more than diet alone.  Stay tuned for that as well!