This document compares and contrasts paleo, vegetarian, and vegan lifestyles. It outlines the main principles of each: paleo includes meat and eggs while avoiding dairy and grains; vegetarians avoid meat but some consume dairy and eggs; vegans consume no animal products. The pros and cons of each are discussed, with paleo cited as having more nutrients and fewer drawbacks than vegetarian or vegan diets. However, a balanced diet following the food pyramid with exercise is ultimately recommended.

1. PALEO vs VEGETARIAN & VEGAN
By: Nikoloz Saakyan
English 101
Mr. Weigand

2. Have you ever wondered why some people
choose the lifestyles they choose? Well let's take
a look at some of the pros and cons behind a
paleo lifestyle, vegetarianism, and veganism.

3. Vegetarianism
• Vegetarians are known not to eat meat, fish, or
poultry. Some of them consume dairy products
and eggs and others do not. There are 3 types of
vegetarians.
• Lacto-vegetarians are known to consume dairy
products but not eggs
• Ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but do not eat or drink
dairy products
• Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat eggs as well as dairy
products

4. Veganism
• Vegans, however, do not consume meat, eggs,
milk, honey, or ANY other food that is derived
from animals.

5. PROS
• Avoiding many of the foods listed, vegetarians & vegans also avoid high
risks of heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, and obesity
• Many food-borne illnesses are avoided
• A significant amount of money is saved
• Lives of millions of animals are preserved every day
• It helps keep weight down
CONS
• Both vegetarians and vegans are prone to deficiencies in B12, calcium,
iron, zinc, the long-chain fatty acids EPA & DHA, and fat-soluble vitamins
like A & D.
• Lacking things like creatine can have harmful effects on muscle
• Lacking carnosine, which is found in animal food, can not serve its function
in protecting against degenerative processes and protecting people from
aging.
• Anemia, diverticulitis, rickets, and certain cancers are all amongst the
many negative health outcomes that can be brought forth.

6. • I find that the cons outweigh the benefits and
a much healthier and safer alternative should
be brought into play, the paleo lifestyle.
• The diet that comes with the paleo lifestyle
offers more nutrients and vitamins than the
other two, as well as less drawback.

7. • The main difference in paleo diet is that it
includes grass-fed and free-ranged meat and
poultry (eggs included), as well as a variety of
fish and seafood
• Paleo dieters only lack 3 main vitamins &
nutrients; vitamin D, probiotics, and in some
cases omega 3s. .

8. • PROS
• It is beneficiary because it allows for a very clean diet (no preservatives,
additives, coloring)
• You get an anti-inflammatory benefit from use of oils, nuts, and seeds
(paleo uses this much more than the other two)
• Red meat provides an excellent amount of iron
• In eating meat, satiety is improved.
• Most people lose weight
• Paleo makes you full of energy at all times!
• CONS
• This lifestyle can be a bit more costly than vegetarianism and veganism
• Dependence on meats makes people more prone to diseases carried by
animals
• Just like the other two, if not practiced correctly, nutrient imbalances may
become present

9. • In conclusion, it is safe to say that the paleo
diet is better and more sufficient compared to
the vegetarian and vegan diets.
• However, the best diet will always be a
complete diet following the food pyramid
whilst incorporating daily exercise