Vegetarian Diet Beginners Facts
The vegetarian diet can leave beginners completely overwhelmed with the broad range of different “ideologies” that exist under the umbrella of the vegetarian diet. Beginners often need some direction to get their heads around these. This article will give some vegetarian diet facts to help you understand the basics.
There are several different classifications under the vegetarian diet. These are determined by the absence or inclusion of certain foods within the individual’s diet. Vegetarian ideologies include vegan, ovo vegetarian, lacto vegetarian, ovo-lacto vegetarian, pollotarian, pescatarian and one I haven’t heard of before…but think I like it!…..Flexitarian.
Vegan
Vegan-ism is the most restrictive of the vegetarian lifestyles. Vegans only consume a plant based diet, so no red, white meat, fish or game. They do not consume any animal products or by-products, for example they don’t each honey, beeswax, gelatin, eggs or dairy. They also tend to not use things like silk, leather or wool.
Ovo Vegetarian
Ovo vegetarian consume a plant based diet, eggs and egg products. They do not consume red meat, white meat, fish, game or dairy products.
Lacto Vegeta
rian
Lacto vegetarian consume a plant based diet and dairy products. They do not consume red meat, white meat, fish, game or eggs and egg products.
Lacto Ovo-vegetarian
Lacto ovo-vegetarian is the most common type of vegetarian. They consume a plant based diet, dairy and egg products. They do not eat red or white meat, fish or game.
Pollotarian
Pollotarians’ are considered a form of “semi-vegetarian-ism”. They consume a plant based diet, dairy products, eggs and include poultry and game. They do not eat red or white meat that comes from land mammals. There are some resources that indicate that in addition to poultry and game, pollotarians’ also consume fish and seafood. Some people start a pollotarian diet as a transition before becoming vegetarian.
Pescatarian
Pescatarian also spelt Pescetarian, like pollotarian is considered a form of “semi-vegetarian-ism”. On this diet meat is restricted to the consumption to fish and seafood only. Pescatarians do not consume red meat, white meat, poultry or game. This diet is also used as a stepping stone to vegetarianism.
Flexitarian
Flexitarian is a “semi-vegetarian” diet. It is mainly a vegetarian diet where the occasional meat item is consumed.
Why People Choose To Be Vegetarian
It is a very personal choice when looking to start a vegetarian diet. Beginners often ask why people choose the vegetarian lifestyle and the simple reason is for many different reasons. Some of the reasons why include but are not limited to concerns for personal health, economic, political, world hunger concerns and compassion for animals.
Is Vegetarian-ism A Healthier Diet Option?
Research has shown that there are many health benefits to consuming a plant-based diet. Such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many say that vegetarian diets are lower in fat, however like any diet it depends on food choices and variety.
Vegetarians can become deficient in iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and occasionally riboflavin. It is important for vegetarians to eat a wide and varied diet to ensure that they are getting all the required nutrients and enough calories to meet their energy needs from their food.
Conclusion
There a number of different ideologies that come under the vegetarian banner. They encompass a wide range of beliefs and reasons for choosing that particular lifestyle. It is generally considered a healthier way of eating, but there are certain considerations as there is with any type of diet to ensure that it maximizes nutrition and enhances health and well-being. I hope this article has assisted you in understanding some of the basics in relation to the vegetarian diet.
If you have any information or experiences that you would like to share or discuss, please leave a comment below in the comment section. Thank you for visiting www.christeneshealthy food.com, I look forward to seeing you here a again soon.
References:
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/tp/TypesofVeg.htm
http://www.vegetarian-nation.com/resources/common-questions/types-levels-vegetarian/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/2944-facts-pollotarian-diet/
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/nutrition_&_eating_concerns/being_a_vegetarian.php
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