What Type Of Vegetarian Are You? What is Your Diet?

What Type of Vegetarian Are You? – 10 Ways To Go Meatless and Transition To A Vegetarian Lifestyle

Filed under: vegetarian lifestyle on August 17, 2010

Believe it or not, I was not born a vegetarian. I had to work hard at it and I did take baby steps. I didn’t just jump right in to the vegetarian lifestyle. I began eliminating meat from my diet at the age of 12. I had to figure it out (and I am still trying to figure it out) and learn how to replace meat with healthy foods that would not only nourish my body, but keep me feeling full and just as important, tasted great. ‘My father, the vegan,’ was a vegetarian for a couple of years, then became a vegan. So as I took my journey to become a vegetarian, there was a point in time when I was still eating seafood (and no other flesh) and I remember him saying to me, “Ebbie Webbie (that’s what he calls me) when are you going to become a REAL VEGETARIAN?” I was like what, are you kidding me? I thought I was a real vegetarian. Who defines who the real vegetarians are? Are you less of a vegetarian because you eat dairy, eggs, or fish? My answer is “no” but others would say differently. Either way, you have to start the vegetarian transition somewhere and to help you design a meatless plan that works best for you, here are 10 different types of vegetarian diets that you can adopt to assist you with becoming a “real” vegetarian:

Lacto Ovo – This vegetarian diet consists of eggs & diary, but do not consist of any animal flesh or seafood.
Ovo – If you are an Ovo Vegetarian then you don’t eat any flesh, seafood, or diary products, but you still consume eggs.
Lacto – Lacto Vegetarians do not eat any flesh, seafood or eggs, but still enjoys the taste of diary products.
Pollo – If you are a Pollo – Vegetarian, then you are probably still trying to ease into the vegetarian lifestyle. You still eat chicken, but no seafood or other animal flesh.
Pesco Pollo – I was a pesco-pollo vegetarian when I was 12. I ate seafood and poultry and no other animal flesh.
Semi (part-time) – If you are a part-time vegetarian then you still eat meat/flesh but you have reduced your consumption. For example, you may be a vegetarian Monday – Friday, but once the weekend hits, you want chicken or steak.
Pesco – Pescatarians just eat seafood and no other flesh or meats.
Fruitarian – I would like to meet a fruitarian. Fruitarians only eat fruits and veggies that do not hurt, harm, or suck the life out of the plants from which they stemmed from. An example would be oranges and apples.
Vegan – Don’t eat any flesh or any products that come from something that once had a face (is how I like to describe it). They don’t eat honey, wear leather, silk, or use or eat gelatin products.
Raw – Raw vegetarians only eat whole grains, raw or lightly steamed vegetables and fresh foods. Some raw vegetarians don’t even cook their grains and beans, they just let them soak for a couple of days until they are soft enough to consume.

Remember, which ever path you take to become a vegetarian is yours and yours alone. Just remember to eat a healthy, diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and plant based proteins to support your smart and new decision to become a vegetarian.

36 Comments so far
Leave a comment

Hi! I’m an italian nutritionist and I’m a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian, because of healthy and moral reasons.
I have a 9years son, who is vegetarian like me since he was a baby and he’s perfect with the growth for his age, he has beautiful and strong muscle and 15,7 BMI!
I’m totally sure of my decision to be vegetarian, for me and my son!

Basically my self is Lacto Vegetarian with very limitations. Several dairy products are being prepared at home, sopciety and market that includes Milk, Curd, Butter Milk, Butter Fat or Milk Fat ( we say “GHEE”) AND many more, more that 100 types of sweets, a few namkeens containng cheese and milk powder and Lassi, Ice Cream etc. . But from age of 10,(at present I am 69) I take two items regularly (Tea containg little milk and Butter Milk). Occasionly for socail reasons, I may have to take Penda and Ice Cream. It is considered that Milk and Ghee are highly essential to live, but without that both I live, I enjoy my life, I do my work without any physical or mental trouble. People surprises that at the age of 69, I am not only healthy but 100% engaged in my business actvities.
I appreciate that Ebony is spreading very good ideoloy through our world.
;Nandlal:

Basically my self is Lacto Vegetarian with very limitations. Several dairy products are being prepared at home, society and market that includes Milk, Curd, Butter Milk, Butter Fat or Milk Fat ( we say “GHEE”) AND many more, more that 100 types of sweets, a few namkeens containng cheese and milk powder and Lassi, Ice Cream etc.But from age of 10,(at present I am 69) I take two items regularly (Tea containg little milk and Butter Milk). Occasionly for socail reasons, I may have to take Penda and Ice Cream. It is considered in our society that Milk and Ghee are highly essential to live, but without that both I live, I enjoy my life, I do my work without any physical or mental trouble. People surprises that at the age of 69, I am not only healthy but 100% engaged in my business actvities with all successes.
I appreciate that Ebony is spreading very good ideoloy through our world.
;Nandlal:

Hey Nandlal – I appreciate at you being involved and being active. That is awesome that you are 69 and so fit and healthy. I guess you just revealed to each of us your “secret.” I love Lassi, I don’t eat it often, but when I do…it is quite a treat. Thank you so much for your support. By the way…what is Penda?

That is fantastic! I have a younger sister who is 2 and is vegetarian as well. Did you struggle with the decision to have your son become a vegetarian? How long have you been a vegetarian? Are you thinking of becoming a vegan one day? I may have to “lean” on your nutritionist skills in the near future