Vegetarianism
A vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat meat, and mostly eats foods that come from plants, like grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Some stricter vegetarians avoid more than just meat. They also avoid animal products, which are nonmeat foods that come from animals.
Types of vegetarian diets
• Lacto-vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as foods that contain them. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter, are included.
• Lacto-ovo vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish and poultry, but allow dairy products and eggs.
• Ovo-vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, but allow eggs.
• Vegan diets exclude meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products — and foods that contain these products.
If you choose to be vegetarian or vegan, you need to plan your diet to make sure it includes all the essential nutrients. The wider the variety of foods you eat, the easier it will be to meet your nutritional requirements.
Some essential dietary requirements, which could be missing from a vegetarian diet if it isn’t carefully planned, include:
• Protein
• Minerals (including iron, calcium and zinc)
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D
Types of vegetarian diets
• Lacto-vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as foods that contain them. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter, are included.
• Lacto-ovo vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish and poultry, but allow dairy products and eggs.
• Ovo-vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, but allow eggs.
• Vegan diets exclude meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products — and foods that contain these products.
If you choose to be vegetarian or vegan, you need to plan your diet to make sure it includes all the essential nutrients. The wider the variety of foods you eat, the easier it will be to meet your nutritional requirements.
Some essential dietary requirements, which could be missing from a vegetarian diet if it isn’t carefully planned, include:
• Protein
• Minerals (including iron, calcium and zinc)
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D