Vegetarian Definitions

Types of Vegetarian Diets

“The eating patterns of professed vegetarians vary considerably.” So say Joan Sabaté, Rosemary A. Ratzin-Turner, and Jack E. Brown in Vegetarian Nutrition.

A vegetarian, in their text, is one who “consumes no animal flesh of any kind more than once per week” (5). But they note that “vegetarian” can be qualified further by the following:

• Lacto vegetarian: in addition to plant foods, milk and dairy are included.
• Ovo vegetarian: Eggs are included
• Ovo-lacto (or lacto-ovo) vegetarian: Both eggs and dairy are included. Approximately 90 – 95% of vegetarians in North America include dairy and/or eggs in their diets.

“Vegans” is a designation applied to those who do not eat any animal flesh (not even fish or seafood). Nor do they consume animal products (such as eggs, cheese, or milk).