08-Oct-2009

Article by Jamie Stern, owner of Allergiesandme.com

Sorry, I don’t eat that…but maybe that. Understanding the different diet definitions of Vegetarians, in honor of Vegetarian Month.

The following will show that not all vegetarians are the same. Understanding the differences could help if anyone is considering this dietary lifestyle, or just trying to figure out what to make for your upcoming “vegetarian friend” event.

 

Descriptions of the different definitions: 

 

Pescatarian Or Pescetarian

These vegetarians do not eat meat, but are willing to consider eating fish. The Pescetarian can eat seafood, but does not consume mammals or birds. This is a new term and seems to be adopted mainly for healthy eating reasons.

 

Flexitarian Or Semi-Vegetarian

This term was first used in 1992 by an article in an Austin, Texas newspaper. It is defined as someone who is trying to decrease the meat in their diet, but not completely removing it altogether.

 

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian

This person does not eat meats like beef, pork, poultry or fish. However they are open to eating egg and dairy products. Some people are just Lacto-vegetarian, which means they can have milk products like cheese, butter or milk, but do not consume eggs. An Ovo-vegetarianism is the opposite of lacto vegetarianism, which means an ovo-vegetarian can consume eggs but not milk and milk-products.

 

Vegan

Veganism excludes using animals for food and any other purpose. This type of diet is adopted mainly due to personal views on exploitation of animals and environment. The term was coined by Donald Watson in 1944. All vegans refrain from meat, poultry, fishes, leather, dairy products, honey, fur, silk, gelatin, whey, rennet (natural complex of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach to digest the mother's milk, and is often used in the production of cheese), etc. Although most vegans abstain from honey, some vegans consider the use of insect products okay.

 

Raw Vegan Or Raw Food Diet

This is a type of vegetarianism. It promotes the consumption of organic, unprocessed, and uncooked food. Raw vegans believe that the more uncooked food in their diet, the healthier their lives will be. The diet may include raw fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. The food is warmed below the temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 Macrobiotic

A macrobiotic diet promotes the consumption of whole grains and avoidance of processed or refined food. The diet uses grains, seeds, beans, and vegetables and recommends a thorough food chewing. Use of the term macrobiotic is found as early in the writings of Hippocrates, considered by some to be the father of Medicine.

 

Fruitarians

Fruitarians, as you might guess, consume mainly fruits or plants. Sometimes a person is considered fruitarian even when the diet consists of approximately 75% of fruits. Fruitarians consume fruits and sometimes seeds, nuts and vegetables, like tomatoes.

Pollo Vegetarian
Pollo is an Italian and Spanish term for chicken. Pollotarianism is diet that includes vegetables, fruits and poultry but avoid meat from fish and mammals. The Pollo vegetarian can include non-flesh animal products in their diet like eggs and dairy products.

So there it is, everything you needed to know about being Vegetarian or Vegan. Now, don’t embarrass yourself at the next dinner party and try to give a soufflé to your dear friend, the Lacto-Vegetarian…come on now!

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