| The dictionary is quite clear in stating that a | | | | use of animal foods and products. On the contrary, |
| vegetarian is "one who eats a diet consisting wholly | | | | those who choose to be vegetarians for ethical or |
| of vegetables and fruit, and sometimes eggs or dairy | | | | ideological reasons may be inclined toward a complete |
| products." However, there seems to be some | | | | avoidance of meat and, in some cases, all animal |
| confusion among the general population as well as in | | | | products.The one common characteristic of these |
| the scientific community as to whether this definition | | | | diets is that they are all plant based. More |
| is sufficient. Support for this confusion can be found | | | | specifically,the diets described below are based on |
| in the number of professed vegetarians who eat | | | | grains, vegetables, fruits,legumes, seeds, and nuts. |
| meat products in varied frequency. In many ways, | | | | And, depending on the particular diet, foods of animal |
| defining a vegetarian could simply be: "one who | | | | origin are partially or totally excluded. Vegetarian: This |
| abstains from meat." However, a closer look at the | | | | term encompasses all meatless diets. It is usually |
| various social, religious, philosophical, historical, and | | | | qualified or further categorized by one of the |
| political influences that have affected the label and its | | | | following: -Lacto vegetarian: In addition to plant foods, |
| usage over time present the reality that the term | | | | milk and dairy are included. -Ovo vegetarian: Eggs are |
| has different meanings to different people.The word | | | | included. -Ovo-lacto or lacto-ovo vegetarian: Both |
| "vegetarian" was first used in 1847 by the Vegetarian | | | | eggs and dairy ar e included. Approximately 90-95% |
| Society of the United Kingdom.Pythagoras | | | | of vegetarians in North America include dairy and/or |
| (considered the Father of Vegetarianism), Zoroaster, | | | | eggs in their diets. Strict vegetarian/vegan: A small |
| Daniel, and Buddha advocating and following a | | | | but growing number of people follow this diet that |
| vegetarian diet. Throughout history, several religious | | | | excludes animal flesh (meat, poultry/fowl, fish, and |
| groups have followed vegetarian diets with varying | | | | seafood) and animal products (eggs and dairy). |
| degrees of adherence. However, it wasn't until the | | | | Vegans may also exclude honey from the diet and |
| last part of the 20th century that the practice began | | | | will often not wear clothing made from animal |
| to secure mainstream acceptance for positive health | | | | products.Semi-vegetarian: Occasional meat eaters |
| associations.a higher percentage of the vegetarian | | | | who predominately practice a vegetarian diet. |
| population is more than 40 years of age, a larger | | | | Fruitarian: A diet consisting of foods that do not kill |
| percentage is composed of young families (those | | | | the plant of origin. In practical terms, this type of diet |
| with children under 18 years of age). People choose | | | | gets reduced to fresh fruits,dried fruits such as dates |
| vegetarian diets for varied reasons. These include, | | | | and raisins, nuts and seeds, and selected vegetables. |
| but are not limited to, health concerns, religious or | | | | Macrobiotic: This type of diet is typically classified as |
| ethical beliefs, metaphysical, ecological, and even | | | | vegetarian, but often includes fish. The diet stems |
| political reasons.Persons who choose the diet for | | | | from a 10-step approach to eating that, at the |
| health reasons typically have more flexibility in their | | | | highest level, is almost exclusively brown rice. |