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Veganism and Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism is the practice of not consuming meat, with or without the use of other animal derivatives, such as dairy products or eggs. Some vegetarians choose to also refrain from wearing clothing involving the death of animals, such as leather, silk and fur. Veganism, sometimes called "strict vegetarianism", excludes all animal products from diet and attire, whether or not this involves the actual death of an animal (dairy, eggs, honey, wool and down feathers). Vegetarians are found in countries across the world with varied motivations including religious, financial, ethical, environmental, and health concerns. Those who eat no meat but fish, but do still eat fish, often call themselves vegetarians but are actually sectatarians, or pescatarians.

Other dietary practices commonly associated with vegetarianism:

  • Fruitarianism is a diet of only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.
  • Macrobiotic diet is a diet of mostly whole grains and beans, though it allows the consumption of fish.
  • Natural hygiene in its classic form recommends a diet principally of raw vegan foods.
  • Raw food diet practitioners don't eat food heated above a certain temperature.
  • Raw veganism is a diet of fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.
  • Freeganism argues that all commodities produced under capitalism, not only those from animal sources, contribute to exploitation and avoid buying anything, including food. Freegans thus focus on acquiring foods and other commodities by means other than purchasing, including dumpster diving, foraging for wild plants, and gardening with intent to cause as little violence and ecological destruction as possible through their consumption. While many freegans are vegans or vegetarians, others will eat animal products recovered from dumpsters that would otherwise go to waste on the belief that doing this does not encourage further animal exploitation.

    "Semi-vegetarian" varieties

    The following similarly named diets are not directly related to vegetarianism due to the inclusion of meat:

  • Pesco/pollo vegetarianism (pescatarianism, semi-vegetarianism, poultratarianism) Ñ will only eat certain meats depending on the particular diet (pesco-fish, pollo-fowl).
  • Flexitarianism Ñ prefer to eat vegetarian food, but make exceptions

    According to the USDA, vegetarians who eat milk products and eggs enjoy excellent health. Vegetarian diets are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and can meet Recommended Dietary Allowances for nutrients. You can get enough protein from a vegetarian diet as long as the variety and amounts of foods consumed are adequate. Meat, fish, and poultry are major contributors of iron, zinc, and B vitamins in most American diets, and vegetarians should pay special attention to these nutrients.

    • More nutrition topics...

    » Cooking and Food Preparation
    » Fasting & Cleansing
    » Fermentation and Cultured Foods
    » Macrobiotic Diet
    » Raw Foods
    » Vegetarianism & Veganism

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