Vegetarian Diets

Overview

What is a vegetarian diet?

In general, a vegetarian diet is a diet that doesn't include meat. But there are several kinds of vegetarian diets.

Lacto-ovo vegetarian.

This type of diet includes milk products (such as milk, cheese, and yogurt) and eggs. But it doesn't include meat, poultry, seafood, or fish. "Lacto" means milk. "Ovo" means eggs.

Lacto-vegetarian.

It includes milk products but no eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, or fish.

Vegan.

It's a diet of only plant foods. This means no milk products, eggs, honey, or gelatin. (Gelatin comes from bones and other animal tissue.)

Many people follow a semi-vegetarian diet. Most of their diet is vegetarian. But sometimes they may eat meat, poultry, seafood, fish, and/or eggs.

Why eat a vegetarian or vegan diet?

People may choose a vegetarian or vegan diet for various reasons. For example:

• It can be healthier than other diets.
• Some people think it's wrong to use animals for food.
• Some religions forbid eating meat.
• It may cost less than a diet that includes meat.
• Eating less meat can be better for the environment.
• Some people don't like the taste of meat.

What are the benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet?

In general, people who don't eat meat:

• Weigh less than people who eat meat.
• Are less likely to die of heart disease.
• Have lower cholesterol levels.
• Are less likely to get:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Type 2 diabetes.
  • Prostate cancer.
  • Colon cancer.

The health benefits may be related to a diet of mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.