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Which animal-derived foods may be included in some vegetarian diets?
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vegetarianism
A vegan food pyramid, which excludes meat and animal products.
While all forms of vegetarianism exclude meat, fowl, and seafood, some vegetarian diets include specific animal-derived foods that do not require the slaughter of the animal.12
These may include:
- Milk and dairy products: Vegetarians who consume these are often referred to as lacto-vegetarians.12
- Eggs: Vegetarians who include both dairy and eggs in their diet are known as lacto-ovo vegetarians.31
- Honey: Some vegetarians choose to consume honey, whereas vegans exclude it along with all other animal-derived products.12
It is important to note that dietary practices vary significantly by culture and individual choice. For example, while many Western vegetarians include eggs in their diet, most vegetarians in India traditionally exclude them. Additionally, while some individuals identify as pescatarians, they are distinct from vegetarians because their diet includes fish and shellfish.1