Vegetarian Food

Guide Note

Vegetarian food is food that does not contain the flesh of animals, eschewing things such as chicken, lamb, beef, and fish. Some choose this diet for ethical reasons, others for its alleged health benefits. Many cuisines, such as Indian, Mediterranean cuisines such as Italian, Spanish, and Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines like Chinese, Japanese and Thai, have a strong vegetarian component. Vegetarian food can be very simple; for example, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is vegetarian.

Fast Facts

1. Vegetarians in U.S.: 7.3 million (3.2% of Americans)
2. Non-meat protein sources: Dairy, seitan, soy foods such as tempeh and tofu, legumes, nuts, and mycoprotein
3. Simple vegetarian meals: Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, beans and rice, macaroni and cheese

1. Lowered heart disease risk
2. Lowered cancer risk
3. Lowered obesity
4. Lowered risk of diabetes

There are many different types of vegetarians, all of whom follow separate sets of rules. People who eat fish but no land animals often call themselves pescetarians, but they are more appropriately included in the flexitarian category.

1. Lacto-Ovo Vegetarianism: A vegetarian who eats eggs and dairy products
2. Lacto Vegetarianism: A vegetarian who eats dairy
3. Ovo Vegetarianism: A vegetarian who eats eggs
4. Veganism: Someone who does not eat the flesh or byproducts of animals
5. Fruitarianism: Someone who eats only fruits
6. Raw Veganism: Someone who eats only plant products that are not cooked

While vegetarian food commonly permits the use of dairy products and egg, vegan food prohibits the use of any food derived from animals. This includes cheese, milk, eggs, whey protein (which is derived from dairy), and depending on how strict the person is, honey, as well as foods that use animal products in their production.