Since I mentioned pescatarians and flexitarians in my last posting, I decided it was time for a terminology lesson on all things vegetarian. It would seem that most people are unaware that there are varying degrees of vegetarians and how these groups are related.
1. Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians-Yeah! This is me! These vegetarians do not eat meat or the majority of animal products, but they still consume certain animal byproducts like eggs and milk (hence ovo for egg and lacto for milk). Since ovo-lactos still consume milk, anything else containing it is okay, too. Especially cheese. Sweet, savory cheese. God, writing this is making me hungry. Okay, back to the subject at hand.
Keep in mind that not all vegetarians are ovo-lacto. Some people are ovo-vegetarian (eat eggs, but not milk) and others are lacto-vegetarians (consume milk, but no eggs). Personally, I always try to eat organic eggs and milk that are grass-fed or free range. I do this because mass produced animal products still cause a lot of harm to the animal and the environment. Plus, they are way better for you because they don’t contain all those added hormones. Wins for you and Mother Earth!
2. Vegans-Vegans are true dietary rock stars. I know a few vegans and they have my eternal respect (mainly because they don’t eat butter!). Vegans not only refrain from eating meat, but take special care to avoid all animal products. This includes eggs, milk, all other dairy products, and gelatin (see former posting). Vegans also strictly avoid food products that involve animals in the processing or their final contents, like certain wines. Vegans also have grey areas that are debatable. Honey is the main controversy for vegans. Even though honey is derived from pollen, it is processed by bees. Technically, the bees are free to leave the hive and return so they are not ‘captive’ in the same way that livestock is. I say stick with wild honey and enjoy. Vegans deserve lots of sweetness!
3. Pescatarians--These people are semi-veggies. They don’t eat meat, but make an exception for fish or other seafoods. Most pescatarians will still eat eggs and milk as well. This lifestyle is appealing to a lot of people because of the health benefits associated with eating fish. Pescatarians can get a good amount of omega-3 fatty acid from fish and omega-3 is known to reduce one’s likelihood of stroke and/or cancer. Other veggies can get their dose of omega-3 from eggs and other products.
4. Flexitarians-The name alone should point out how flexitarians eat. This group occasionally eats meat, but eats a vegetarian diet for a majority of the time. Now, the real question is what constitutes a majority of the time? I say at least four days out of seven. Another analysis would be to eat vegetarian for two out of three meals per day. Either way, BRAVO!
Vegans and vegetarians often scoff at pescatarians and flexitarians, but I really applaud their efforts. Any reduction in meat consumption alleviates pollution and reduces environmental impact of raising that livestock. We shouldn’t impose our specific dietary morals on others, but rather look to find commonalities that we share.
1. Ovo-Lacto Vegetarians-Yeah! This is me! These vegetarians do not eat meat or the majority of animal products, but they still consume certain animal byproducts like eggs and milk (hence ovo for egg and lacto for milk). Since ovo-lactos still consume milk, anything else containing it is okay, too. Especially cheese. Sweet, savory cheese. God, writing this is making me hungry. Okay, back to the subject at hand.
Keep in mind that not all vegetarians are ovo-lacto. Some people are ovo-vegetarian (eat eggs, but not milk) and others are lacto-vegetarians (consume milk, but no eggs). Personally, I always try to eat organic eggs and milk that are grass-fed or free range. I do this because mass produced animal products still cause a lot of harm to the animal and the environment. Plus, they are way better for you because they don’t contain all those added hormones. Wins for you and Mother Earth!
2. Vegans-Vegans are true dietary rock stars. I know a few vegans and they have my eternal respect (mainly because they don’t eat butter!). Vegans not only refrain from eating meat, but take special care to avoid all animal products. This includes eggs, milk, all other dairy products, and gelatin (see former posting). Vegans also strictly avoid food products that involve animals in the processing or their final contents, like certain wines. Vegans also have grey areas that are debatable. Honey is the main controversy for vegans. Even though honey is derived from pollen, it is processed by bees. Technically, the bees are free to leave the hive and return so they are not ‘captive’ in the same way that livestock is. I say stick with wild honey and enjoy. Vegans deserve lots of sweetness!
3. Pescatarians--These people are semi-veggies. They don’t eat meat, but make an exception for fish or other seafoods. Most pescatarians will still eat eggs and milk as well. This lifestyle is appealing to a lot of people because of the health benefits associated with eating fish. Pescatarians can get a good amount of omega-3 fatty acid from fish and omega-3 is known to reduce one’s likelihood of stroke and/or cancer. Other veggies can get their dose of omega-3 from eggs and other products.
4. Flexitarians-The name alone should point out how flexitarians eat. This group occasionally eats meat, but eats a vegetarian diet for a majority of the time. Now, the real question is what constitutes a majority of the time? I say at least four days out of seven. Another analysis would be to eat vegetarian for two out of three meals per day. Either way, BRAVO!
Vegans and vegetarians often scoff at pescatarians and flexitarians, but I really applaud their efforts. Any reduction in meat consumption alleviates pollution and reduces environmental impact of raising that livestock. We shouldn’t impose our specific dietary morals on others, but rather look to find commonalities that we share.
I wonder if there's a name for people who eat chicken, turkey, and fish. I say we should call ourselves turfisken vegetarians. This should give pesca and flexitarians people to share their vegetarian ridicule with.
ReplyDelete