Many people still believe that a vegan diet is deficient in essential nutrients, or that it is not sustainable for long-term health. Additionally, vegans may face negative stereotypes, such as being viewed as “preachy” or “judgmental.”

Vegaphobia, vegephobia or veganphobia is an aversion to, or dislike of, vegetarians and vegans. The term first appeared in the 2010s, coinciding with the rise in veganism in the late 2010s. Several studies have found an incidence of vegaphobic sentiments in the general population.

The few studies directly comparing vegetarian to vegan diets report that vegans may have a somewhat lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and various types of cancer than vegetarians ( 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ).

Vegetarians don't eat the flesh of animals, such as meat, poultry, and fish, but they often eat dairy and eggs. Vegans don't eat any animal foods. This even includes foods that are produced by animals, such as honey.