People have many reasons for choosing a vegetarian lifestyle. Some are against cruelty to animals, while some fight for the environment, which is impacted by the meat industry. Others choose the lifestyle due to religious beliefs or health reasons, as when practiced correctly, vegetarianism is low in saturated fat and includes many healthy foods. Some people simply do not enjoy meat, while others might not have access to meat or be able to afford it. Many vegetarians choose the lifestyle for a combination of these reasons.
Types
All vegetarians are not the same. The commonality is that none of them eat meat or poultry, but there are different varieties within the vegetarian classification. Vegans do not eat any animal products, including dairy, eggs and gelatin. Lacto-ovo vegetarians, the most common type of vegetarian, consume eggs and dairy. Some people choose only one of these foods, as lacto-vegetarians eat dairy but not eggs and ovo-vegetarians do the opposite. Pescetarians, or pesco-vegetarians, eat fish along with eggs and dairy.
Diet
The diet of the vegetarian does not include meat of any type. Most vegetarians choose an abundance of healthy foods like legumes, grains, nuts and plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, some vegetarians include pre-packaged foods that do not include meat but have preservatives and other additives as well as an abundance of calories and fat. For instance, potato chips, fried eggplant parmesan and ice cream are unhealthy choices that could be part of a lacto-ovo vegetarian's diet. In this case, the diet is not a healthy choice.
Health
The American Dietetic Association states that, when planned correctly, a vegetarian diet can provide enough nutrition and seems to improve health and prevent disease. This diet correlates with lower cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index, as well as lower rates of diabetes, cancer and ischemic heart disease. This is due to consuming less saturated fat and cholesterol and eating many healthy and natural foods. Talk to a dietitian if you're not sure how to meet your nutrient needs in a healthy way on a vegetarian diet.
Considerations
There is a risk of certain nutritional deficiencies on a vegetarian diet. The risks are the highest for vegans, as they do not consume any nutrients from animals. Certain nutrients, like iron and vitamin B-12, are easier for your body to absorb from animal products. You also might not get enough zinc and calcium. The American Dietetic Association notes that the vegetarian diet can provide enough of these nutrients if you eat the right combinations of foods and if you eat fortified foods. However, you might need a supplement, but talk to your doctor before taking one.
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