vegetarianism

Introduction
Ancient origins
The 17th through 19th centuries
Modern developments

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Illustration of a vegan food pyramid divided into four sections: whole grains at the base, followed by vegetables, then fruit, and legumes at the top, with recommended daily servings and images of representative foods in each group.

At a Glance

vegetarianism summary

Related Questions

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External Websites

PBS - The History Kitchen - From Pythagorean to Pescatarian - The Evolution of Vegetarianism
BBC - The climate benefits of veganism and vegetarianism
National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Rethinking vegetarianism: Differences between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in the endorsement of basic human values
Live Science - What's the difference between veganism vs vegetarianism?
Workforce Libretexts - Vegetarianism
Better Health Channel - Vegetarian and vegan eating
UNESCO World Heritage Convention - Vegetarianism and Vegan Diet
George Washington University - Columbian College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Philosophy - Moral Vegetarianism from a Very Broad Basis (PDF)
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Moral Vegetarianism
Verywell Fit - Pros and Cons of a Vegetarian Diet
The Nemours Foundation - For Parents - Vegetarianism
The Nemours Foundation - For Teens - Becoming a Vegetarian
Mayo Clinic - Vegetarian diet: How to get the best nutrition

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

vegetarianism - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
vegetarianism - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

vegetarianism

human dietary practice

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Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

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Last updated

Oct. 24, 2026 •History

vegetarianism, the theory or practice of living solely upon vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts—with or without the addition of milk products and eggs—generally for ethical, ascetic, environmental, or nutritional reasons. All forms of flesh (meat, fowl, and seafood) are excluded from all vegetarian diets, but many vegetarians use milk and milk products; those in the West usually eat eggs also, but most vegetarians in India exclude them, as did those in the Mediterranean lands...

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