Definition
EthicsVegan vs vegetarian vs pescatarian vs plant-based
Last reviewed: January 10, 2026
Summary
Veganism is an ethical framework that excludes animal exploitation; vegetarian, pescatarian, and plant-based describe dietary patterns with varying levels of animal product inclusion.
Evidence Summary
Understanding the differences between these terms helps clarify what each actually means: Comparison Table: | Term | Includes | Excludes | Primary Motivation | |------|----------|----------|-------------------| | Vegan | All plant foods | All animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey, etc.) | Ethical stance against animal exploitation | | Vegetarian | Plants, dairy, eggs | Meat, fish, poultry | Varies (health, ethics, environment) | | Pescatarian | Plants, dairy, eggs,