While many people profess to be vegetarians because they abstain from red meats, or only eat sea food, true vegetarianism is the practice of eating a diet which is free from meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, and in some cases any animal products at all. Rather, a vegetarian diet is based around plants as a food source which includes fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas, grains, seeds and nuts.
There are many different types of vegetarian diets. Some of the most common are:
There are many different types of vegetarian diets. Some of the most common are:
• The vegan diet, which excludes all meat and animal products including poultry, fish, milk, eggs and cheese.
• The lacto vegetarian diet, which includes plant foods plus dairy products, but excludes eggs as well as meat, fish and poultry.
• The lacto-ovo vegetarian diet, which includes both eggs and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt in addition to plant based food.
• The “flexitarian” or semi-vegetarian diet, which primarily consists of only plant-based foods but occasionally includes small amounts of meat, poultry or fish.
People who follow vegetarian diets can get all the nutrients they need, but must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional requirements. In particular vegetarians must be sure to include sufficient amounts of protein, iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B12 in their diet.
These days there are many meatless products available, such as tofu hotdogs, soy burgers, nut loaves or texturised vegetable protein, which can add variety toa vegetarian diet. These products, which are often made from soybeans, simulate the taste and texture of meat but usually have less fat and fewer calories.
People who follow vegetarian diets can get all the nutrients they need, but must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional requirements. In particular vegetarians must be sure to include sufficient amounts of protein, iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin B12 in their diet.
These days there are many meatless products available, such as tofu hotdogs, soy burgers, nut loaves or texturised vegetable protein, which can add variety toa vegetarian diet. These products, which are often made from soybeans, simulate the taste and texture of meat but usually have less fat and fewer calories.