College Student's Guide to All Things Vegetarian

What is a Vegetarian Diet?

A vegetarian diet is a regulated dietary pattern that with the main goal of excluding the consumption of meat. This includes all animal meat such as beef, fish, and chicken. People who follow a vegetarian diet are known as vegetarians. There are several types of vegetarian diets, which differ in the extent of which they exclude animal products. These diets range from excluding some diary products to excluding all animal products (to exclude all animal products is to be on a vegan diet).

Types of Vegetarian Diets

Lacto-ovo Vegetarian

Excludes meat, fish and poultry but includes dairy products and eggs

Lacto-Vegetarian

Excludes meat, fish, poultry, and eggs but includes dairy products

Ovo-Vegetarian

Excludes meat, fish, poultry and dairy products but includes eggs

Information to Know

People go on vegetarian diet for a number of reasons. There is the ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, health considerations, or cultural and religious beliefs. A well-planned vegetarian diet can provide all the necessary nutrients for a healthily lifestyle.

It is important to remember that if partaking in a vegetarian diet that you ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs, particularly the vitamins and fibers more commonly found in animal products. A poorly planned vegetarian diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies. To ensure, a balanced of diet, this could involve eating a variety of plant-based food, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Benefits

Improved Heart Health

Lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol reduces risk of heart diseases. Also, eating many fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts lowers blood pressure and improve heart health

Weight Management

Plant-based diets tend to be lower in calories and fat, and higher in fiber, which can contribute to a feeling of fullness and can aid in weight control

Lower Risk of Cancer

Some studies suggest that a vegetarian diet may lower risk in colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. This stems from the higher intake of antioxidants, fiber and other beneficial compounds found in plant-based foods.

Blood Sugar

A vegetarian diet that is rich in legumes, grains, fruits and vegetables better your blood sugar control. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk for developing diabetes.

Environmental Sustainability

Choosing a vegetarian diet can have a positive environmental impact. The production of plant-based foods generally requires fewer resources, such as water and land, and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to the production of animal products.

Ethical and Animal Welfare

Many people adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for ethical reasons, including concerns about the treatment of animal in the food industry. Animals suffer in factory farms: they live in confined, crowded spaces, injected with antibiotics and growth hormones, have their gene manipulated then, transported to be slaughter.

Page updated

Report abuse