Vegetarian Diet Variations

Vegetarian diets have been around for centuries.

People choose vegetarian diets for religious, economic, health-related, or other reasons.

When you hear the word "vegetarian," you automatically assume it's a diet that omits animal products. However, there are several variations of the vegetarian diet, as shown below:

  • Semi-vegetarian diet--includes fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products
  • Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet--includes dairy products and eggs
  • Lacto-vegetarian diet--includes dairy products
  • Ovo-vegetarian diet -- includes eggs
  • Vegan diet -- includes only plant foods and omits all animal products

Although you would think vegetarian diets lacked some of the nutrients of normal diets, a well-planned vegetarian diet can be just as nutritionally adequate and healthy.