Vegetarian Diets
What is a vegetarian?
In a very general sense, a vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat meat. But that definition is too simple. There are several kinds of vegetarian diets:
- Lacto-ovo vegetarianseat milk products—such as milk, cheese, and yogurt—and eggs, but no meat. "Lacto" means "milk." "Ovo" means eggs.
- Lacto-vegetarians eat milk products, but not eggs or meat.
- Vegans(say "VEE-guns" or "VAY-guns") are total vegetarians. They eat only plant foods. They don't eat food that comes from animals in any way, including milk products, eggs, honey, and gelatin (which comes from bones and other animal tissue).
Many people are semi-vegetarian—they may eat fish and/or poultry but no red meat. Or they may eat meat only once in a while.
There are many reasons why some people choose vegetarian diets:
- A vegetarian diet can be healthier than other diets.
- Some people think it's wrong to use animals for food.
- Some religions forbid eating meat.
- A vegetarian diet can cost less than a diet that includes meat.
- Some people just don't like the taste of meat.
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: February 6, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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