Difference between vegan and vegetarian: some clarity.

In recent years, food trends have changed dramatically, and we have witnessed the consolidation of new nutrition regimes. Broadly speaking, we have all heard of vegetarianism and veganism, but what exactly are they? What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian? 

First of all, it should be said that these two diets are not new; traces of them can be found in ancient times, and many great figures in history were vegetarians, such as the mathematician Pythagoras and the great Leonardo da Vinci. However, it is the philosophy that often accompanies them that characterizes them in a new way. A greater awareness and respect for the environment and for animals today accompany these two lifestyles, which, although similar, differ in some aspects related to the consumption of certain foods in particular.

Both vegetarians and vegans share the fact that they do not consume meat or fish. Let's now take a closer look and discover what the difference is between vegan and vegetarian.
 

Why do people become vegetarians or vegans?

The reasons are actually multiple and can be identified in ethical, religious, health, and environmental factors. Those who pursue a vegetarian or vegan path for ethical reasons feel a particularly strong sense of respect for animals, which has fortunately developed over the last century. Animals are considered, like humans, sentient beings endowed with consciousness and therefore holders of certain rights, such as the right to freedom and, above all, the inviolable right to life. Thus, the exploitation of animals and the resort to the violence of killing are rejected.

Most vegetarians and vegans can therefore be considered animal rights advocates in the purest sense of the term. However, research in the medical field has also contributed to the increase in the number of vegans and vegetarians, as various studies have found that prolonged and regular consumption of meat, especially red meat, increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and other various ailments, particularly due to the methods used in farming, which increasingly resort to the use of antibiotics and other drugs. 

The environmental motivation is also linked to the issue of intensive farming: not everyone knows that intensive farming produces a significant percentage of the methane emitted into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to global warming, while also consuming disproportionate amounts of food and water resources.

In summary, we can say that the difference between vegan and vegetarian is becoming increasingly thin when it comes to the motivations for adopting this lifestyle.
 

Vegans and vegetarians difference: a matter of origin

So what exactly is the difference between vegan and vegetarian? Vegetarians do not eat meat or fish, although many adopt a mixed diet in which fish is allowed, but they do consume animal-derived products such as dairy and eggs.

Vegans, on the other hand, do not consume, in addition to meat and fish, all animal-derived foods, so they do not eat eggs, dairy, or honey. There are also more extreme forms of veganism, such as raw veganism, where only strictly raw plant-based products are consumed, or fruitarianism, where essentially only fruit is consumed. 

The difference between vegan and vegetarian is thus entirely based on the origin of the foods allowed in the diet. Vegans are much more restrictive as they do not tolerate any food obtained from the exploitation of animals, from species raised for meat consumption to fish, whether caught or farmed, and to bees, which are used industrially to produce honey and related products.
 

Vegetarians: what do they eat

What do vegetarians eat? In reality, as we have seen, vegetarians have quite a bit of freedom of choice as they can eat everything except for meat and, optionally, fish. Salami and meat- or fish-based condiments or sauces are therefore prohibited. 

In theory, although in practice this is often not the case, vegetarians should not consume cheese, as the production of cheese uses rennet extracted from the stomachs of calves, sheep, goats, or pigs. The solution would be to consume cheeses made with vegetable rennet, which is primarily extracted from thistle flowers. 

On Spaghetti&Mandolino, there are indeed different cheeses produced using vegetable rennet, such as Gran Kinara. For everything else, vegetarians can taste almost all our products. Vegetarians yes, but without compromising on good dining!
 

Vegans: what do they eat

What do vegans eat? Here the discussion becomes a bit more complex because, not being able to consume any animal-derived food, the list of off-limits products keeps growing. Vegans cannot consume cheese, egg pasta, honey, baked goods, and confectionery products, unless they have been specially prepared, as well as those sauces or condiments that contain even small traces of animal-derived ingredients.

To meet these needs, Spaghetti&Mandolino offers a selection of products specifically designed for vegans. Among the first are cookies and baked goods from Manimpasta or Dolci sereni, not to mention the fact that they can enjoy all types of pasta, excluding egg pasta and squid ink pasta, as well as all types of rice and much more.
Ilaria Chesini

S&M