The vegetarian diet is an eating pattern that excludes all meat, poultry, and fish, focusing entirely on plant-based foods. This includes a rich variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Within vegetarianism, there are several variations: Lacto-ovo vegetarians consume dairy products and eggs, while Lacto-vegetarians include dairy but no eggs. Ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but no dairy. Regardless of the specific type, the core principle remains the same: a diet free from animal flesh.
This approach is often chosen for its potential health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as for ethical, environmental, or religious reasons.
