Vegetarianism vs veganism?

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I'm lacto-vegetarian. I avoid leather and products made from or testing on animals as much as possible. I have done things like go out in the street to keep a baby duck from being hit by a car and take a mouse out of one of those sticky traps and turn him loose in the woods.

Being vegan would be extremely complicated and inconvenient for me.

I'm married to a Hindu. Lactovegetarianism is the diet followed by my wife and most of her family for generations. Milk, yogurt and butter are even used in religious rituals.

I would have to cook all of my own food, and eating in a restaurant would be a huge pain. I live in St. Louis, Missouri. There are probably three vegetarian restaurants in the entire area. I've gotten used to finding vegetarian options, but vegan options? Too hard. Most people here who call themselves "vegetarians" actually eat fish and chicken. We can't all live in California. Veganism doesn't seem to have "caught on" in the Midwest.

I have only met one vegan; a ninety year old Hindu holy man. But he has a group of people who buy all of his food and cook for him every day.

Although I'm not a Hindu, I am attracted by the culture, teachings and so on. Most Hindus I know are humble and kind people.

I'm sorry to say this, but a lot of the vegans here on Yahoo strike me as being a bit "holier than thou"--people who seem to be reminding me how much better they are than me. Not everyone, of course, but a lot of them give that feeling. It doesn't draw to want to be one of them. However, when I'm hanging around with Hindus, I feel like one of them in spite of my being of a different race and cultural background.

I don't think it's possible to be 100% vegan. No matter how hard you try, something you support, some product you buy, etc., involves killing animals indirectly....Show more

Both have their perks. I respect any vegan for being able to make the choice to abstain from all animal products, it takes a big initial sacrifice but is worth it in the end I imagine. I am an ovo vegetarian, I only eat eggs from my own chickens and no dairy products and I find I feel a lot healthier since dropping milk from my diet. You should initially become a vegetarian and then once or twice a week go vegan just to get a better understanding of what sort of foods you'll eat. If it doesn't work out, then just limit it to those days and stay a vegetarian, if it does work out then make the switch. Good luck!...Show more

I'm Vegan-
vegetarianism is good for you, but it generally ends there.
You don't have to look at the dead animal so you feel less guilty...

I tried it but I couldn't do it. I was still directly responsible for terrible, terrible things. As a vegan, at least I am doing the best I can to not support animal cruelty....Show more

Vegan - Someone who abstains from using any animal product in any shape, way, or form. It's more than just a diet ... it's a lifestyle.

Vegetarian - Someone who abstains from eating meat ... (vegan falls under the category of Vegetarian)

"veggies" probably don't due to the fact that at first glance it seems that a vegan lifestyle is boring, expensive, and "hippyish"

Some people still like dairy products.

I am a Vegan. I'm proud of it. I feel good saving animal's lives....Show more

neither vegans nor vegetarians support cruelty to animals. i wish i could be a vegan but im only 13. and i still milk and eggs. btw... im forced to eat milk and eggs (it sucks) but vegans do all they can to not support cruelty to animals
vegetarians some times dont become vegans because its much harder. not being able to eat anything with milk or eggs or any dairy. and knowing which companies do and don't test on animals. and not wearing fur coats or leather. it is just much harder.
i am a vegetarian. i do not support companies that test their products on animals. they should test it on people on death row or something! i don't wear fur coats or leather either. thats just wrong....Show more