" A vegan diet simply means there are no animal products on the menu—no meat, dairy, or eggs. “Vegetarian” means meatless, so a vegetarian meal might be vegan or might not, depending on whether it includes cheese or other dairy products. Some people use the term “plant-based,” which nowadays is synonymous with “vegan.” Some say “whole-foods plant-based,” meaning they not only are skipping animal products but are generally preferring whole grains and other intact foods over processed foods, such as sugar, flour, and the like. "

― Neal D. Barnard , The Vegan Starter Kit: Everything You Need to Know About Plant-Based Eating