Plant Based Diet: What does it mean?

There are more and more people interested in following a plant-based diet for both health and environmental benefits.

But what is the difference between having a vegetarian diet and a plant-based diet ?
To begin with, it is necessary to demystify the concept of diet .

Diet: Definition

Diet, contrary to what many people think, is the same as food or eating pattern. It represents the foods and drinks that are consumed daily, and therefore the eating habits of one or more individuals. The term “diet” does not imply that one has to be in a calorie deficit in order to lose weight, as “food” or “diet regime” are synonyms of this term.

Vegetarian Diet: Concept

Therefore, a vegetarian diet or vegetarian diet is a diet in which the consumption of meat and fish is excluded.

Within the vegetarian diet there are also other concepts, namely:

• Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet: does not contain meat or fish, but does contain eggs and dairy products.
• Lacto-vegetarian diet: does not contain meat, fish or eggs, but does contain dairy products.
• Ovovegetarian diet: does not contain meat, fish and dairy products, but contains eggs.
• Strict vegetarian diet: does not include any food of animal origin.

Vegetarian Diet vs Vegan Diet

Furthermore, the concept of veganism is not just a dietary choice, but rather a way of life, which also excludes the presence of animal products in clothing, accessories, cosmetics, etc.

Thus, although both the vegan diet and the strict vegetarian diet exclude any food of animal origin, they are distinct concepts , since the strict vegetarian diet can include animal products in clothing, accessories, cosmetics, etc.

Plant Based Diet: Concept

Furthermore, there are individuals who identify with the concepts of semi-vegetarian or “flexicultural”, since they occasionally consume meat and/or fish, which are not considered vegetarian patterns.

And finally, a plant-based diet favors a greater consumption of vegetables (greens and legumes), fruit, whole grains, fruits and oilseeds, which does not necessarily exclude products of animal origin, including meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.

That's why ZESTY products are plant-based, so they can be included in a wide range of diets, whether you're vegetarian, vegan, plant-based or not.