Vegetarianism vs. Veganism: The Ultimate Skinny Showdown

Hey hey, Skinny readers! Welcome back to The Skinny Chef Diaries! How’s it going? I hope you’ve all had an amazing week full of good vibes and healthy eats. With No Meat January almost coming to an end (seriously, where did the month go?!), I thought we’d spice things up by tackling a hot topic: Vegetarianism vs. Veganism!

Now, we all know plant-based diets are having their main-character moment right now—and for good reason! Both vegetarian and vegan lifestyles come with some amazing perks, not just for your body but for the planet too. Think of it this way: by eating more plants, you’re basically becoming a superhero for your health and Mother Earth. 🌎✨

For starters, when you go plant-based, you’re automatically getting more fruits, veggies, and all those juicy vitamins, minerals, and fiber your body craves. (Yes, fiber is the underrated queen of health!) Plus, loading up on greens can help reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Like, hello, who wouldn’t want to live their best, healthiest life?

But wait, there’s more! Let’s talk about the money. On average, vegetarian meals are way cheaper than meat-based ones. Ever noticed that veggie dishes on restaurant menus are usually the most affordable options? I mean, an onion bhaji burger will always cost less than a fancy prime beef burger, and trust me—it slaps just as hard. Oh, and if you’re worried about your grocery bill, Veganuary has your back! Supermarkets love jumping on the trend, which means plant-based goodies are on sale this time of year. Cha-ching! 💸

Pro tip: The trick to saving even more is being smart about your greens. Keep an eye on those best-before dates, because as a vegetarian or vegan, you’ll be going through a lot more veggies. Nobody likes wasting food (or cash), so plan those meals like a pro!

So, What’s the Deal With Vegetarianism? 🌿

In case you’re new to the veggie life, here’s the tea. A vegetarian diet is all about skipping meat, poultry, and seafood while diving into the wonderful world of plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, tofu, and grains. It’s basically a buffet of deliciousness.

But not all vegetarians are the same. Let’s break it down:

• Lacto-Vegetarian: They’re all about the dairy life (cheese lovers, unite!) but say “no thanks” to meat, poultry, and seafood.

• Ovo-Vegetarian: These folks are all about eggs but skip the dairy, meat, poultry, and seafood. Egg-cellent choice!

• Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: The best of both worlds—they eat eggs and dairy but pass on the meat, poultry, and seafood.

And What About Veganism? 🥑

Veganism takes things a step further. Vegans say “nope” to all animal products—meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, and even honey. For most vegans, it’s more than just a diet; it’s a lifestyle. They believe animals deserve love and respect and shouldn’t be used for food, clothing, or anything else. It’s a bold, compassionate way to live—and if you’ve ever tried a vegan brownie, you know it’s not a sacrifice. 😋

Veggie vs. Vegan: Who Wins the Health Crown? 🥗👑

Okay, let’s get one thing straight: neither vegetarians nor vegans automatically win the title of “healthiest.” The truth is, both diets can be super healthy if you plan them right. It’s all about balance, baby!

Whether you’re team veggie or team vegan, you need to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamin B12. These are often found in animal products, but don’t worry—there are plenty of plant-based alternatives to keep you thriving. Think nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and fortified foods. It’s science and snack time!

Celebrities Who Are Crushing the Plant-Based Life 🌟

Now for the fun part—let’s talk about some of the iconic celebs who are repping the veggie and vegan life like total bosses.

Beyoncé 

You already know Queen Bey runs the world, but did you know she’s also a huge advocate for plant-based eating? She even launched a 22-day vegan meal plan with Jay-Z to help inspire her fans to give it a try. If it’s good enough for Bey, it’s good enough for us! 👑

Bill Clinton

Yep, the former U.S. president went full vegan after his 2010 heart surgery. The man went from Big Macs to big bowls of kale, and honestly, we love the glow-up. 🌱

Jessica Chastain 

This Hollywood queen has been vegan for over 12 years! She says it gives her more energy and helps her feel amazing. Plus, have you seen her skin? Goals.

Venus Williams 

When this tennis legend was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, she decided to switch to a raw vegan diet to help manage her symptoms. She’s still slaying on and off the court—talk about inspirational. 🎾

Sir Lewis Hamilton 

The Formula 1 champ credits veganism with boosting his energy and mental clarity while helping him advocate for animal welfare. Speedy, stylish, and compassionate? We stan. 🏎️

Final Thoughts: Veggie or Vegan—Why Not Try One?

There you have it, Skinny readers! Whether you’re considering going vegetarian, vegan, or just want to eat more plants, I hope this post gave you some tasty food for thought. Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about progress.

Before I go, I’m leaving you with a ridiculously easy and delicious plant-based recipe from The Skinny Chef Diaries. 

Barley and Butternut Curry 

There were rare occasions when my sister-in-law, Tshepiso, would cook at gatherings. In our family my brother Joel and I would do most of the cooking. But damn, when she decides to take over the kitchen, she always makes the meanest curry. One can never go wrong with a tasty curry. 

Barley hosts various health benefits, such as improved digestion, weight loss, lower cholesterol and improved heart health. Butternut is high in fibre, potassium, vitamins like B6 and C, minerals, antioxidants, and is low in carbohydrates. Coconut milk contains proteins and saturated fats which contribute to building body strength, stimulates the metabolism, and may benefit people with high cholesterol. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup pearled barley 

• 1 onion, finely diced 

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 

• 2¼ cups coconut milk 

• ½ teaspoon curry powder 

• 1 lemon grass stick, crushed 

• ½ teaspoon garam masala powder 

• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander 

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 

• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 

• ¼ teaspoon salt 

• 1 handful of baby spinach 

• 4 cardamom pods 

• 8 – 10 coriander seeds 

• 100g butternut, cubed 

• 100g cookededamame beans 

• Serves 4

Method

1. In a medium-size pot add olive oil, onions and garlic and sauté until onions are transparent. 

   
   

2. Add all the spices and lemon grass and cook for a further 5 minutes, then add the coconut milk and bring to the boil over medium heat. 

   
   

3. Once at a low boil, turn the heat to low and add the barley to cook in the spiced coconut milk. Stir regularly to keep the milk from scalding on the bottom. 

   
   

4. While the barley cooks, prepare the edamame beans and butternut. Place the edamame beans in a small pot of salted water, enough to cover the beans, and cook on medium heat until soft. Season and drizzle olive oil over the cubed butternut and roast in the oven at 350°C/180°C until golden brown. 

   
   

5. As the coconut milk begins to thicken and reduce, test the barley to see if it’s done. If the barley is still too hard, add some additional coconut milk to keep it from getting too dry while it is cooking. 

   
   

6. Continue to add small amounts of coconut milk as needed, until the barley is al dente, and the coconut milk is still creamy. 

   
   

7. Add the cooked butternut, baby spinach and edamame beans to the barley and stir over a low heat, adding any additional coconut milk to maintain the right consistency. The end result should be creamy and a bit runny, not thick and sticky. 

   
   

Remove the cardamom pods before serving and enjoy.Stay happy, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay skinny! Same time, same place next week—catch you then! 💚

Creative Director: Shadre Leonard