What’s the Difference?

Are we carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores? 

A carnivore is an animal that eats meat. Some carnivores include predators like dogs, lions, tigers, alligators, and sharks.

An omnivore is an animal that eats meat and plants. Omnivores include bears, raccoons, pigs, and mice.

An herbivore is an animal that eats only plants and vegetables. Some herbivores include rabbits, giraffes, hippos, cows, donkeys, zebras, horses, sheep and rhinos.

So, are humans carnivores, omnivores or herbivores?

Many people believe that we are omnivores, we eat meat and vegetables. But many scientists have examined the human body and believe that mumans are really hebivores … which makes being vegan the right decision. 

 

	Carnivores	Herbivores	Humans
Claws and Teeth	Carnivores have claws, sharp fangs (front teeth) , and no flat molars for chewing.	No claws, or sharp front teeth. Flat molars for chewing.	No claws, or sharp front teeth. Flat molars for chewing.
Saliva	Acidic Saliva	Alkaline Saliva, which assists in pre-digesting plant foods.	Alkaline Saliva
Cholesterol	Not affected by high cholesterol.	Has no need for cholesterol, because their bodies create it.	Has no need for cholesterol, because their bodies create it. Cholesterol causes heart disease.
Fiber	No need for fiber to move food through their digestive tract.	Require fiber to move food through the long digestive tract, and prevent blockage.	Require fiber to move food through the long digestive tract, and prevent blockage.
Stomach Acid	Stomach acid is 20 times more acidic.	Less potent stomach acid.	Less potent stomach acid.
Intestinal Tract	Intestines are 3 - 6 times their body length.	Intestines are 10 - 12 times their body length.	Intestines are 10 - 12 times their body length.

Could we be omnivores?

We have more in common with herbivores than we do with carnivores. Omnivores have more in common with carnivores, than they do with herbivore. Although we have the capability to eat like omnivores, some people believe that we are, in fact omnivores. But just because we have the capability to do something, doesn’t mean we should. Anatomically, humans are more compatible with herbivores, than carnivores.