Lifestyle

Veganism vs. Plant-Based Diet

December 6, 2013

Happy Friday, everyone!

With my cleanse program releasing on December 15^th(Yay!!!), I thought I would do a little informative post about strict veganism versus a plant-based diet. I consider myself a cross between the two – something I call a plant-based vegan. I do not consume animal products but I also avoid processed foods, wheat gluten and certain meat alternatives. I try to eat a diet that consists of whole, natural plant-based foods.

(P.S. These are the first photos I am releasing from the cleanse!!! Get excited!)

HONESTY TIME!!!

I am not 100% plant-based, because I do consume tofu and tempeh on occasion. I am a strict vegan but I do not go out of my way to be 100% cruelty-free (there are egg whites in my shampoo! Sue me if you must) and I don’t always check to make sure that my cosmetics were not animal-tested.

I am very passionate about animal rights, but my main reason for being vegan is my health.

Which is also why I consume honey – I think that raw, local honey is humane and I am into veganism for my health and happiness, so even if it doesn’t fall under the label of strict veganism… guess what? Call me a rebel, but I am OK with it.

If you are new around here, let me be the first to tell you that I do not judge if you eat a predominantly vegan or vegetarian diet but you aren’t completely strict about it. If you have been around my blog for a while, you know how I feel about “vegan Nazis” (please don’t get offended by this term – it just works!).

Putting someone down because they don’t eat the same way you do is going to turn them off of your diet in general… *cough cough vegan honey Nazis* so why not instead advocate finding what is right for YOUR individual body and falling in love with that lifestyle?! Ohhh yeah.

The Blonde Vegan 5-Day Cleanse is plant-based, but even a step further: fruit & vegetable based.

Enjoy this nifty little chart!

[table id=1 /]

20 comments

I Wanna Know what do you think?

Cancel reply

Melissa

Thank you for posting this! As someone who is very new to the vegan/plant based lifestyle I found it really helpful. I'm looking forward to your cleanse and would love to try it!! I'm truly loving the lifestyle change, and you inspired me to address my stance on these things as well in my own blog. Happy Friday!!

Jordan Younger

Thanks so much, Melissa! I am so glad that you found the post helpful. When I went vegan last January I had a lot of similar questions so I thought it would be nice to address them on the blog for people who are wondering what exactly it means to be vegan/plant-based/anything in between. Happy Friday to you too, darling! And I am happy to add your email to the cleanse list so that when the cleanse gets released you will get an email notification! Xo

Cheri Regan

Wow Jordan that looks and sounds wonderful. You are doing a fabulous job with your blog. Thank you.

Jordan Younger

Thank you so much Cheri! Can't wait to see you in one week!! Xo

Danielle @ LabelsAreForTinCans

I don't like to label things myself (hence my blog name) but I love this comparative chart! Due to my own body's needs I do consume some (humanely raised organic) animal products... but I certainly follow a plant-based diet and if anything would choose that name to 'label' the way I eat. Thanks so much for your honesty and for sharing this!

Jordan Younger

Danielle - thanks so much! I am not a huge fan of labeling either as I'm sure you can tell from my opinions about "vegan Nazis". But I do think its important that the information is out there for people who are looking into different lifestyles and trying to find what works best for them!! Also love your blog name. It's awesome. Happy Friday darling!

Jan

Hi Jordan, This has been a hot topic lately and I totally get it. We have to categorize everything for some reason. BUT....I must say that I'm tired of the "I'm 80% raw" or "85%" vegan????!!! You either are or you aren't...and who really cares. Let's stop the labels and just say we eat the way our bodies want us to eat. It's like the smokers who say "I only have a couple a day". Then, you're a smoker. No two ways about it! ha. Let's just expend that energy on getting healthy.

Jordan Younger

Jan, I could not agree more!! If people spent as much energy on creating a healthy lifestyle as they did on labeling themselves/others, our country would be in such a healthier place. If you are 100% vegan, I think it's OK to be proud of it and shout it from the rooftops - especially if it has impacted your life and changed it in healthy and awesome ways. But if you are only partway there... just call yourself a healthy eater who dabbles in veganism or enjoys eating vegan most of the time ;)

Anzahar

In our food minded corner of the world (being lifelong ovo-lacto-vegetarian myself) I think that the hardest thing for us (weater you are vegan, plant based or you name it) is watching the health of our friends and love ones plunder on account of their misguided food education. I'm seeing their slow demise and while I dare suggest a change in their life style I don’t press the issue as to not alienate them Don’t know about you but for me is sad and really hard So thanks Jordan for the education you bring to those in need!

Jordan Younger

Thanks so much Anzahar! I agree, it is definitely hard to watch loved ones be misguided about food. There is so much misinformation, confusion and image-driven info about there. That's why its our job as healthy individuals to educate our friends, family and the world about all of the different and amazing ways to live a healthy life!!

JanieY

Very valuable information!! I've wondered about many of those things!! Amazing blog!!
Lindsey

Wow Jordan! I absolutely loved this article! Even as someone very active in the health community, I definitely learned some things, thanks! Just to let you know, I just started my blog and would love it if you checked it out... I posted a recipe inspired from yours (with credits of course) and would love if you checked it out! Thanks again! Lindsey

Jordan Younger

Hi Lindsey!! Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment -- isn't it fun when you can learn something new even when you felt like you already knew a bunch about the subject?! And would absolutely love to check out your blog. I will pop on over there right now and have a look :) xo

Jordan Younger

Good! I am so, so glad that it was so helpful!! And thanks for the kind words about the blog and Instagram, lovely!
Tracy A

I'm with you on the "so sue me"! I'm a, for the most part, vegan. (Non-extremist Vegan, I don't protest or lecture.) I don't do grains none not ANY, nor do I do sweet anything e.g. honey, sugar, agave, substitutes etc... I stay away from CORN and SOY but do have tofu, eggs and real butter on occasion. This isn't a "diet" its just what makes me feel better. I don't count calories, I just eat however much I feel like eating, I've lost 40 pounds (I was 178 @ 5'7) since July and have never felt better in my life (I am 47 years old) Yay me! I've been searching for a blog to follow for recipes since I'm looking to become creative because of boredom with just eating fruit, veggies, nuts and beans for several months. Thank you, I look forward to following!
Kezia Sze

If you start eating some whole plant foods, one day, when you've eaten enough of plant foods, you'll find your reward when you look at the mirror. You'll discover a better-looking you, looking back at you from the mirror. From that point onwards, you'll not look back , as natural plant foods are indeed great and affordable cosmetics to use!
Cassie

I'm trying a plant-based diet over the summer, so I really need this guide! Thank you!
Elizabeth

I think you should update your information on this page because it had me confused for a bit and I had to go through your other pages to see what is right. From what I can tell, you are no longer a strict vegan or plant-based dieter and it would be helpful if you could explain your eating habits on this page as well. Other than that, I think this page was very informative and helpful!
Frances

Hi, new follower! This chart was so helpful. I showed my mom this and she was interested in it too and was like "what website are you on? she knows her stuff!" Hehe :) I'm always getting my parents to try what I make (always plant-based foods) when I'm home and they love it. I love your blog!
The Freedive Café

Hello, you say 'I am not 100% plant-based, because I do consume tofu and tempeh on occasion', but tofu and tempeh are both soy bean products, which is a plant. So I think you'll be ok ;) There certainly is too much militant thinking in the vegan world, sometimes. It's good to bring it up sometimes. Have a wonderful day!