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So you've decided to give vegetarianism a try, but aren't sure which path is right for you? You're not alone. It can be confusing in the beginning; you've likely heard conflicting opinions on exactly what constitutes a vegetarian. One of the most beautiful things about vegetarianism is the variety of choices available to you as a veggie eater. While vegetarian groups are as diverse as the people who are a part of them, vegetarianism is commonly divided into six basic levels. |
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Total Vegetarian
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This group is fairly self-explanatory. Total vegetarians don't eat meat of any kind, nor do they eat eggs or dairy products. They eat only vegetables, fruits, and grains.
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Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian
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Ovo-lacto vegetarians will not eat beef, poultry, fish or pork; however, they still consume both eggs and dairy products. This group takes its name from the Latin terms for milk—lacto—and eggs—ovo. Ovo-lacto vegetarians make up the largest group of vegetarians. As a result, most restaurants offering a vegetarian menu hold their dishes to this standard.
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Pollo-Vegetarian
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Pollo-vegetarians eat poultry, including chicken, duck, and turkey. They do not eat beef, pork, or fish. There is a bit of variation within this group, as some pollo-vegetarians eat eggs, while others do not.
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Lacto-Vegetarian
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Lacto-vegetarians do not consume eggs or meat of any kind, but do make use of dairy products. As with the ovo-lacto vegetarians, this group takes its name from the Latin term for milk, lacto.
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Vegan
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Vegans are the strictest level of vegetarians. Not only do vegans not eat any form of meat, eggs, or dairy, they also don't use any animal byproducts in any part of their lives. A vegan will not use cosmetics or other products that contain any animal parts, and do not wear leather or fur.
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Raw Food Diet
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This diet includes a focus on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods. This includes fresh and dried fruit and vegetables, grains, nuts, beans, sprouts, seeds, and seaweed.
Heating food above 116 degrees F is believed to destroy enzymes in food. These enzymes are believed to aid in nutrient digestion and absorption.
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