Morphing into a Vegetarian Diet: What’s Right for You?
November 8th, 2011
Each individual has their own reasons for converting to a vegetarian diet. Many base their decision on ethical concerns for the environment and/or animal welfare. Others base their choice on religious, political or cultural beliefs. Economics is often a deciding factor for some since vegetables, legumes and grains are less expensive than a diet that includes meat and pre-packaged highly processed foods. Others may become vegetarians due to health concerns such as allergies and food intolerances.

Plant based diets are varied. They come in many different forms. Here are some of the basic categories that one may find themselves in.

Vegetarians: Follow a plant based diet with the exclusion of meat, poultry and fish. Some vegetarians exclude eggs and dairy while others still indulge in the odd cheese omelette. Recipe to follow.

Flexitarians: Eat a largely plant based diet but will include fish, red meat or poultry on occasion. This diet is becoming more and more popular. People are increasingly aware of the cost to our planet of eating a heavily meat based diet. Not to mention the health concerns around eating antibiotic laden meat.

Pescetarians: Adhere to a diet composed of plant foods, with the inclusion of fish.  (Sometimes called pesco-vegetarians.)

Pollotarians: Include poultry in a largely vegetarian diet. (Sometimes called pollo-vegetarians.)

Lacto-vegetarians: Incorporate dairy into their plant based diets.

Ovo-vegetarians: Incorporate eggs into their plant based diets.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarians: You guessed it!!

Vegans: Consume only unprocessed foods from a plant base. Honey and other foods from animals are excluded. As too are clothing and other items that originate from animals such as leather and wool. (Voted Most Popular by non-humans worldwide.)

No matter what form your plant based diet may take, be it wholly or partially plant based, vegan or flexitarian, I think it is safe to say it gives one pause for thought. Consciously choosing what we eat requires us to live with more awareness. Instead of numb mindless consumption many of us are choosing what we put on our plates based on a desire to strive for balance, health and the ethics with which we choose to live.

What is the right path for you? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!!

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5 Responses to “Morphing into a Vegetarian Diet: What’s Right for You?”

  1. food intolerances says:
    August 31, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I’m curious to find out what blog platform you are using? I’m
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  2. admin says:
    August 31, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    We’re using WordPress. Hope that helps.

    Thanks for dropping by,
    Sam

  3. Derek Carroll Manlius NY says:
    October 22, 2012 at 7:16 am

    Iím now not positive the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I must spend a while studying much more or figuring out more. Thank you for wonderful information I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.

  4. admin says:
    November 22, 2012 at 6:12 am

    Hi Drema,

    Thanks for stopping by. If you need or want to stay away from dairy you could use a probiotic supplement. (Be sure to get a good one.) Another way you can add probiotics is to eat fermented foods. Something like homemade sauerkraut or kimchi. Whenever possible we like to get our nutrients from food.

    Look forward to hearing how you make out.
    Cheers!

  5. Stefanie says:
    December 30, 2012 at 3:26 am

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