Vegetarian Food

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.

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.

With the exception of soy plant based proteins do not include the complete range of amino acids necessary to form a complete protein, and are therefore considered incomplete proteins. Vegetarian recipes often include two or more complimentary plant based protein sources to provide a complete profile of amino acids. A whole grain such as brown rice combined with beans provide a complete protein. In addition to amino acids, essential fatty acids, especially Omega-3 fatty acids, deserve special attention. Flax seed oil is a source for incorporating Omega-3 in a vegetarian diet. If it is to be derived directly from eating flax seeds, the seeds must be crushed, as the human digestive tract does not have enzymes to digest the outer seed coating.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or nutritionist before using the information presented here.