What Is a Naturalite? Why It’s Different from Vegan and Vegetarian Diets

One of the questions we get most often is: "Is being a Naturalite the same thing as being a vegan or vegetarian?”

The short answer is no—not exactly.

We understand why people ask. Many people discover Naturalite while exploring plant-based eating, and there's definitely some common ground. We respect vegan and vegetarian choices completely. But Naturalite is a distinct approach focused on eliminating chemically processed and unnatural foods, no matter where they come from—whether plant or animal.

In this post we'll answer common questions like 'What is a Naturalite?' and 'How is being a Naturalite different from being a vegan or vegetarian?' so you understand exactly what makes this approach unique.

What Is a Naturalite?

Before we compare, let's define what being a Naturalite actually means. A Naturalite is someone who commits to eating only all-natural, minimally processed, chemical-free foods—regardless of whether those foods come from plants or animals. The focus is on eliminating enriched grains, synthetic additives, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, preservatives, and any lab-made ingredients. Naturalites prioritize foods the body recognizes and can break down efficiently, which naturally supports weight loss and overall health.

What Vegan and Vegetarian Diets Focus On

Now let's clarify what vegan and vegetarian diets are about:

Vegetarian: Avoids meat (and sometimes fish), but often includes animal products like dairy, eggs, and honey. The focus is on eliminating or reducing meat consumption.

Vegan: Goes further by excluding all animal-derived foods and products. This means no meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or anything else that comes from animals. It's strictly plant-based, often for ethical, environmental, or health reasons.

Common ground: Both prioritize reducing or eliminating animal foods, which naturally leads people to eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. And that's great! But the focus is primarily on where the food comes from (plant vs. animal), not necessarily on how it's made or processed.

Where Naturalite Differs: It's About Natural vs. Processed

Here's the core principle of Naturalite: eat only all-natural, non-processed, chemical-free foods that your body recognizes and can break down efficiently.

This means:

• Some Naturalites include high-quality animal products like grass-fed beef or eggs from pasture-raised chickens because they're natural and nutrient-dense.
  
• Others choose to stick only to fish as their primary source of animal protein.
  
• And others are fully plant-based, avoiding all animal products.
  
• But the priority is always the same: avoiding synthetic additives, enriched grains, hydrogenated oils, and lab-made ingredients.
  

Key point: A food can be 100% vegan but still not Naturalite-approved if it's heavily processed with chemicals and unnatural ingredients.

Being Naturalite isn't about plant vs. animal. It's about natural vs. processed.

Real-World Example: Why Plant-Based "Meats" Aren't Naturalite-Friendly

Let's look at popular vegan meat alternatives like Beyond Burger or similar products. Here's what you'll find in the ingredients:

• Pea protein isolate (highly processed)
  
• Expeller-pressed canola oil (refined oil)
  
• Methylcellulose (a thickener)
  
• "Natural flavors" (often lab-derived, not actually natural)
  
• Added gums, stabilizers, and other processed ingredients

These products are ultra-processed to mimic the texture and taste of meat. But since your body can’t recognize the ingredients, it treats them like unnatural food, which can lead to inflammation, blood sugar issues, and stalled weight loss—even though they're technically vegan.

Contrast this with a Naturalite approach:

• A Naturalite burger might be grass-fed beef (a natural animal source with simple ingredients)
  
• Or a homemade plant-based patty made from lentils, mushrooms, and herbs (simple, recognizable ingredients your body can process)
  

Both options work for Naturalites, as long as the ingredients are natural and chemical-free.

The Naturalite Priority: Foods Your Body Was Made to Eat

The Naturalite lifestyle focuses on minimally processed foods such as:

• Fresh produce
  
• Nuts and seeds
  
• All natural, unenriched grains
  
• Herbs and spices
  
• Sea salt
  
• Natural sweeteners like dates, raw honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, or raw cane sugar
  

Whether you include animal products or not, the rule is the same. If it's natural and chemical-free, it's in. If it's processed with synthetic ingredients, it's out.

If you have a goal to lose weight, the Naturalite lifestyle helps because you’re eating foods your body knows how to break down. As a result, your body can actually metabolize what you consume, rather than assume you're eating fake food because you're starving and therefore store it as fat. 

But the benefits go beyond weight loss. Eating this way, you will likely experience improved energy, better digestion, reduced inflammation, better mood, and long-term health improvements.

Jabez's Journey as Proof

Jabez lost 100 pounds by committing to all-natural foods. Some of his meals were fully plant-based, while others included natural animal sources. He still enjoyed pasta, bread, meat, desserts, and more—just in their natural forms without enriched flour or chemical additives.

When Jabez focused on natural ingredients over processed ones and quality over convenience (regardless of whether they came from plants or animals), he experienced sustainable weight loss, higher energy, and overall better health.

That's the power of the Naturalite approach.

Being a Naturalite Means Freedom Through Real Food

Vegan and vegetarian paths are powerful choices that many people love, and we respect a lot about those choices. But Naturalite offers a different lens—one that prioritizes what's truly natural so your body can thrive.

Another major benefit of being a Naturalite? Flexibility. Rather than being stressful, strict, rigid, or even confusing like many diets, the Naturalite lifestyle offers freedom to eat the foods you love to eat—just the natural versions.

You're not counting calories, cutting out entire food groups, or following complicated meal plans. You're simply choosing real ingredients your body recognizes. Want pizza? Make it with unenriched flour. Craving ice cream? Use natural cream and real vanilla. Love tacos? Just swap enriched tortillas for natural ones. It's that simple.

You don't have to fit into one box or follow strict rules about animal vs. plant foods. You just have to choose what's natural and what helps you feel your best.

Grab Life Matters So Let's Eat Like It to learn the simple principles that helped Jabez lose 100 lbs while eating foods he loves. And check out The Naturalite Family Cookbook for dozens of Naturalite-approved recipes that make this lifestyle easy.

It really is possible to reach your natural weight while enjoying real, delicious food—whether that includes animal products or not.

Common Questions About Being a Naturalite

Q: How is being a Naturalite different than being a vegan?

A: The main difference is focus: vegans avoid all animal products, while Naturalites avoid processed and chemical ingredients—whether plant-based or animal-based. You can be both vegan and Naturalite, or include clean animal products. The priority is always ingredient quality, not food source.

Q: What does Naturalite mean?

A: Being a "Naturalite" means committing to eating only natural, chemical-free foods that your body recognizes. It's about choosing unenriched grains, avoiding synthetic additives, and eating real ingredients over processed ones.

Q: Can you be vegan and Naturalite?

A: Yes! You can absolutely be both. Just make sure your plant-based foods use natural ingredients—think whole grains, fresh produce, nuts, and seeds rather than highly processed vegan products with long ingredient lists.

Watch the quick video below for more info!