Vegan, Vegetarian, Flexitarian: Differences and Allergies
Published 26 October 2026 · 6 min read
A vegan eats no animal products, a vegetarian eats no meat or fish but usually eats dairy and eggs. A pescetarian adds fish and seafood, and a flexitarian is mostly vegetarian but occasionally eats meat. For someone with an allergy, the actual ingredients of a dish matter more than the name of the diet: none of these means "free of allergens".
Overview: who is what, and what they do not eat
Vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian describe ways of eating, not a legally protected category. In practice their meaning can differ slightly, so in a restaurant it is worth checking what a particular place means by the term.
| Style | Meat | Fish and seafood | Milk and dairy | Eggs | Honey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan | no | no | no | no | usually no |
| Vegetarian (lacto-ovo) | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Lacto-vegetarian | no | no | yes | no | yes |
| Ovo-vegetarian | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Pescetarian | no | yes | usually yes | usually yes | yes |
| Flexitarian | occasionally | occasionally | yes | yes | yes |
The table is simplified. Some people use the same word but have their own exceptions.
Vegan
A vegan avoids everything that comes from animals: meat, fish, dairy, eggs, often honey, and ingredients such as gelatine. For someone with allergies this is interesting, because the two most common food allergies in children, milk and egg, are by definition not ingredients here. You will find more in Vegan restaurants and allergies.
Vegetarian
A vegetarian eats no meat, poultry, fish or seafood. The most common form is lacto-ovo vegetarianism, in which milk, cheese and eggs are allowed. Someone who calls themselves vegetarian but eats fish is really a pescetarian. This topic is covered in more detail in Vegetarian restaurants.
Watch out for hidden animal ingredients: cheeses made with animal rennet, meat stocks, stock cubes, gelatine, or sauces with a fish ingredient may not be obvious at first glance.
Pescetarian
A pescetarian does not eat the meat of land animals or poultry, but does eat fish and often seafood. As far as allergens go, this is the opposite of veganism. Fish and crustaceans are two of the 14 allergens under EU regulation, and for someone with a fish or crustacean allergy this kind of diet is not suitable. More in the 14 EU allergens.
Flexitarian
A flexitarian (sometimes "semi-vegetarian") chooses mostly plant-based meals but occasionally eats meat. It is more an intention to eat less meat than a precisely defined diet. When ordering, it means that a plant-based dish may be chosen by someone who is not a strict vegetarian. For a restaurant this is a reason to offer plenty of meat-free dishes.
What this means for people with allergies
A way of eating and an allergy are two different things. A diet says what you do not want to eat. An allergy says what can harm you. These are the most common situations.
- Milk or egg allergy. Vegan food is the logical starting point. Vegetarian (lacto-ovo) food is not, because it contains exactly milk and eggs.
- Fish and crustacean allergy. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are a starting point, but watch for fish sauces, anchovies in dressings and Worcestershire sauce. Pescetarian dishes are clearly unsuitable for these people.
- Soy, nut, peanut, sesame or gluten allergy. Plant-based cooking uses these ingredients heavily as substitutes for meat, cheese and eggs. With these allergies, vegan food can be riskier than ordinary food.
- Coeliac disease. Plant-based meat substitutes can contain wheat gluten, for example seitan. See Hidden gluten.
It is also important that the terms "vegan" and "vegetarian" have no single legal definition for food in the EU. For a restaurant this means it may have something different in mind from what you do.
How labels differ on packaging and in restaurants
On packaged food you sometimes find "vegan" or "vegetarian" marks, which manufacturers add voluntarily, often under their own or private certification rules. They do not guarantee that the food is free of allergens, and they do not replace the ingredients list, in which allergens are highlighted.
On a restaurant menu, a "V" or "VG" icon can be understood in different ways. In some places it means vegetarian, in others vegan, and in others just "no meat". It is therefore worth asking the staff what the label means in that restaurant, especially if you have an allergy rather than a lifestyle choice.
Cross-contamination, even in plant-based food
Even purely plant-based food can come into contact with allergens. A shared board, knife, pan or fryer can carry traces of milk, egg, fish or gluten. So with an allergy it is not enough to choose "vegan" and rely on that. You can read more about traces in May contain traces.
Special cases worth knowing
- Honey. Some vegetarians eat it, vegans mostly do not. It may matter for a pollen or bee-product allergy, so mention it if it applies to you.
- Eggs in vegetarian dishes. Pasta, omelettes, mayonnaise, baked goods, desserts. For people with an egg allergy, vegetarian dishes are often risky.
- Cheese. Some are made with animal rennet, which vegetarians handle in different ways. This does not affect a milk allergy, where the problem is the milk itself.
- Children's food. If a child eats a vegan or vegetarian diet and also has an allergy, the menu should be planned by a doctor or clinical dietitian.
How to ask in a restaurant
- Say exactly what you are allergic to, not just which diet you prefer.
- Ask whether the vegan or vegetarian dish is prepared separately from the others.
- Ask about the ingredients of sauces, dressings, stocks and meat or cheese substitutes.
- Whenever the recipe or supplier changes, check again.
More practical questions are in How to ask about allergens in a restaurant.
How AvoiDino can help
In AvoiDino you set your allergens and can filter dishes by vegan and vegetarian diets too. It helps narrow your choice, but it is not a guarantee. When ordering, always ask the staff.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian?
A vegetarian eats no meat or fish but usually eats dairy, eggs and honey. A vegan avoids all animal products, including dairy and eggs.
What is a pescetarian?
A pescetarian eats no meat from land animals but does eat fish and often seafood. Dairy and eggs are usually part of the diet as well.
What is a flexitarian?
A flexitarian chooses meat-free food most of the time but occasionally eats meat. It is not a precisely defined diet, but an intention to eat less meat.
Is vegan food suitable for people with allergies?
It can be a good starting point with an allergy to milk, eggs, fish or crustaceans. With an allergy to soy, nuts, peanuts, sesame or gluten it can be riskier instead, so it always depends on the specific ingredients.
Does vegetarian mean the same as lactose-free?
No. Vegetarian food commonly contains dairy, and therefore lactose. With lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, the ingredients must be checked separately.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex II (list of allergens).
- Muraro A. et al.: EAACI Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines. Allergy, 2014.
This information is general and does not replace medical advice. If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients with the staff.