Today at the market I found an exceptional pumpkin, nothing better than preparing these completely plant-based vegan pumpkin lasagna.

But what does plant-based mean? Plant-based or vegan diet are not the same thing, even though both do not involve meat consumption. Plant-based means a diet with plant foods, but since there isn’t a single definition, sometimes someone might call it plant-based even if a small part of eggs and milk is consumed.

The vegan lifestyle, on the other hand, is a plant-based diet but not only, it is not only about diet but a lifestyle where one consciously decides not to exploit animals in any way, be it food, clothing, cosmetics, or household products. Veganism is a philosophy of life, a 360-degree vision. Starting from another assumption, it is sometimes not said that everything a vegan eats is also healthy.

Plant-based, on the other hand, is solely linked to healthy eating. French fries or industrial vegetable burgers can certainly be vegan but not plant-based.

In 2017, an article was published in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, titled “Definition of a plant-based diet overview of this special issue”. In this document, it is stated that “a plant-based diet includes all types of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, minimally processed herbs and spices. And excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy.”

A plant-based diet is feasible only if well-balanced with macronutrients such as carbohydrates from whole grains, noble vegetable proteins, and good fats. Industrially processed foods should be avoided.

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