WFPB Diet Vs. Veganism: Understanding The Differences
Vegetarianism and veganism go way back in history. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s when movies such as “Forks Over Knives” and books such as “Eat To Live” by Dr. Joel Furhman became popular that the term Whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) came into common use. This is when confusion sets in. Is WFPB and veganism the same thing? Why or why not? Many are still unsure, but there’s no need to be. There is a clear answer. While these two styles of diet have many similarities, they are also quite different in a few distinct ways. I’ll try to clarify for you the separation between these two ways of eating, so you’ll never have to ask these questions again. Let’s get to it.
Veganism
“Vegan” is a term that was coined by Donald Watson in 1949, according to an article on the Forks Over Knives Website titled, “Plant-Based VS. Vegan Diet: What’s The Difference”. It refers to someone who abstains from eating and using animal products 100% of the time, according to the story.
Vegans refrain from eating all meats, dairy and any other foods that are derived from an animal or require the use of an animal in its production. Vegans will also abstain from wearing leather or using any other non-food products that involve the use of animals.
While their decision to adopt veganism may partly stem from a desire to eat healthier, their main reason for adopting the lifestyle is to protect the animals.
Whole-Food Plant-Based
The term “Whole-Food Plant-Based” (WFPB), is a much more recently conceived idea. It was the creation of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, one of the authors of “The China Study”, according to an article on nutritionstudies.org titled, “History of the Term Whole-Food Plant-Based.”
According to an article on Healthline.com titled, “What’s the Difference Between a Plant-Based and Vegan Diet”, Campbell created the term in 1982 to describe a high-fiber, low-fat, vegetable-based diet focusing on health rather than ethics.
Similar to a vegan diet, A WFPB diet eliminates animal foods from the diet for the most part. Unlike veganism, there is a little wiggle room. Programs like “Eat To Live” and “Fiber Fueled” allow up to 10% of your diet to be foods that are otherwise considered non-compliant, including animal products. Unlike vegans, WFPB eaters will also eliminate processed foods, oil and sometimes added sugar and salt from their diet.
Another thing that sets these two diets apart is the reasons behind their motivations. While Vegans are devoted to the ethics behind the elimination of animal products from their lives, those on a WFPB diet have made the change purely for health reasons. However, some WFPB eaters do end up going all the way and identifying themselves as both WFPB and Vegan.
What’s The Take-Away?
Both the Vegan and WFPB diets start with the concept of eliminating animal products from the diet, but then they each go in different directions from there. While Veganism focuses on the politics of protecting animals, WFPB eating is designed purely to better one’s health.
Separately, each one has its own merits. Combine the two and you can do what’s right for your own body and what’s right for the planet at the same time. It’s a win-win. Whether you choose to combine or go with one diet or the other, you should feel good about the choice you’ve made. It’s a good one.
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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a medical professional. The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making dietary changes or using any advice given here.