Type of Vegetarian
If you're new to vegetarian
diets, you may be starting to realize that there are several types of
vegetarians. While all vegetarians consume primarily plant
products, there are distinctions between types of vegetarians
depending on what else they include in their diets.
The distinctions between the sub-categories of
vegetarian are small, but tend to be very important
dietary or ethical decisions for each type of vegetarian.
Here are brief definitions of terms used to categorize
vegetarians:
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian is a blanket term used to describe a person
who does not consume meat, poultry, fish, or seafood (learn more at
What
Do Vegetarians Eat?).
This includes vegans and the various other types of vegetarians.
However, it generally implies someone who has fewer dietary restrictions than a vegan.
The original
definition of 'vegetarian' that was coined in 1847 was "with or
without eggs or dairy products". That definition is still
widely accepted today.
OVO-LACTO-VEGETARIAN
Ovo-lacto vegetarians are vegetarians who do not consume
meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, but who do consume eggs (ovo) and
milk (lacto). This is the largest group of the various vegetarian types.
OVO-VEGETARIAN
Ovo-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who does not consume meat,
poultry, fish, and seafood, but who does consume eggs.
LACTO-VEGETARIAN
Lacto-vegetarians do not consume meat, poultry, fish, and seafood,
but do consume dairy products.
VEGAN (pronounced
"vee-gun")
Vegan is the strictest type of standard vegetarian-ism.
Vegans do not consume any animal products or byproducts.
Some even go as far as to avoid honey or yeast.
Others do not wear any clothing made from animal
products, such as leather, wool or silk.
This type of vegetarian diet is not
suitable for infants or children unless monitored carefully for
adequate blood levels of iron, calcium and vitamins B12, D and
riboflavin (among other nutrients). Adults also should
consider careful nutrient monitoring.
MACROBIOTIC
Macrobiotic diets
consist of unpolished rice, pulses and vegetables with small
additions of fermented foods, nuts, seeds and fruit. No
animal products are consumed. This type of vegetarian diet
is not suitable for infants or children unless monitored carefully
for adequate blood levels of iron, calcium and vitamins B12, D and
riboflavin (among other nutrients). Adults also should
consider careful nutrient monitoring.
SEMI-VEGETARIAN
This term is used to describe
someone who eats a primarily plant-based diet but who is not a true vegetarian.
'Semi-vegetarian'
generally implies someone who only eats meat occasionally
or doesn’t eat meat at all, but who does eat poultry and fish.
This type of vegetarian may also be called a 'Pseudo-Vegetarian'.
PESCETARIAN
A vegetarian who
also consumes fish.
FRUITARIAN
A vegan who only
eats food that doesn't kill the plant when harvested. For
example, apples can be picked without killing the plant but
carrots cannot.
Vegetarians who
consume eggs and dairy products are the least likely to develop
nutrient deficiencies. All other types of vegetarians should
work with their physician to carefully monitor critical vitamins,
minerals and amino acids. All types of vegetarians-to-be
should consider both dietary and ethical reasons before choosing a
vegetarian lifestyle.
