Vegetarian diets, with the exception of semi-vegetarian diets, exclude meat, poultry and fish. Lacto-ovovegetarian and lacto-vegetarian diets include some animal products other than meat. A balanced vegetarian eating plan provides a healthy way for you to get the nutrients you need from your diet, as well as lower your intake of fat and cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association.
Identification
A lacto-vegetarian diet consists of dairy products and plant-based foods, according to Medline Plus. The difference between lacto-vegetarian diets and lacto-ovovegetarian diets is that the former excludes eggs. A vegetarian diet that excludes all meat products including eggs and dairy is called a vegan diet.
Lacto-vegetarians sometimes include all dairy products in their diets, but might exclude specific products such as cheese or butter, for example. Any dairy inclusions or exclusions are typically a matter of preference rather than a prescribed guideline for lacto-vegetarian diets.
Misconceptions
Vegetarian diets are sometimes thought to lack essential nutrients. However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, vegetarians who eat a variety of foods can easily meet nutrient recommendations.
In "A New Food Guide for North American Vegetarians," based on the joint position of the American Dietetic Association and the Dietitians of Canada on vegetarian diets, provides a food pyramid to identify balanced nutrition and encourage variety. Lacto-vegetarians can easily meet the protein requirement for a healthy diet.
Features
Vegetarians, including lacto-vegetarians should focus on including food sources of calcium, iron, protein, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D, according to the American Dietetic Association. If you eat a variety of dairy, legumes, nuts, vegetables, dried fruit and fortified cereals and juices, you should get the nutrition you need. Include dark green vegetables, potatoes with the skin, seeds, dry beans and whole grains in your diet regularly.
Exclusions
Since a lacto-vegetarian diet excludes eggs, read labels to determine if meat substitutes such as veggie burgers fit into your plan. Often veggie burgers, sausage and other meat analogs contain eggs. For baking, you can purchase egg substitute at natural food stores. You can also sometimes exclude eggs from a recipe without substituting. Pancakes, for example, can be cooked sans eggs.
Vegetarians often exclude products containing gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen. Some products contain a vegetarian gelatin derived from Agar-Agar, a seaweed extract. Read the label to be sure.
Considerations
The benefits of a lacto-vegetarian diet include healthful, plant-based eating and improved health. Following a vegetarian diet does not guarantee better health and improved eating habits, however. For best results, focus on balanced nutrition and avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, as with any healthful eating plan. Without proper planning, you could end up not getting the nutrients you need and eating too few or too many calories.
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