Diets of all different names come and go. Some prefer Paleo, while others are trying out Keto. The differences can be confusing, but despite which diet or lifestyle you choose, the most important thing to consider is making sure you are always getting enough nutrients in your diet.

 

Two mainstream diets are Vegan and Vegetarian. These easily can be confused with each other. Below we’ll take a closer look at the two!

 

Vegetarians:

Vegetarians don’t eat animal flesh such as meat, beef, chicken, and seafood. However, they may consume other animal products like eggs, honey, and dairy or even use clothing made from animals.

Vegans:

On the other hand, veganism is a stricter form of vegetarianism. It excludes anything that links with animals, such as eggs, honey, dairy, and clothes, including leather products.

Similarities: 

Both rely on carbs such as grains and starches (white bread, refined pasta, pizza dough, potato chips, and white rice).  Both eating styles can be healthy when we pay attention to consuming a good balance of proteins and vegetables.

Unfortunately, we continue to have patients who are actually carbetarians (not sure if this is an actual word – but it is the word Dr. James and I use). We have people that stay away from proteins, eat little to no vegetables other than potatoes, and their diet is heavy on pizza, pasta, tortillas, bread, and cheese. This can lead to numerous other issues.  

Protein Requirements of Body

Being a vegan and vegetarian can be extremely healthy as long as we pay attention to proper protein intake. Protein deficiency may cause skin degeneration, muscle wasting, lower strength, swelling, severe infections, fatty liver, and stunted growths in children. 

 

 Lacking Essential Nutrients 

Some vegan diets may often lack nutrients and not fulfill the body’s nutritional requirements. These diets can cause deficiencies like vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and selenium.

When following a vegan diet is also essential to pay attention to consuming omega-3 fatty acids.

Consuming a High-Carb Diet:

A high-carb diet based only on grains, starches, fiber, and sugar can severely affect your health. A high intake of refined grains is linked to causing inflammation, chronic fatigue, and obesity.

Most importantly, a high-carb diet is the worst for people with Diabetes.

 

The Final Takeaway!

Regardless of your food choices, pay attention to how you feel when following dietary restrictions and ensuring that your diet consists of a balanced amount of protein, good fats, and carbs. 

We highly recommend you consider reviewing how you feel every few months to ensure that your diet works best for you.