Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism describes a group of similar voluntary diets, loosely-characterized by a reduction or elimination of animal products. The term vegetarianism can be quite vague.

Rationale for Vegetarianism

People choose to be vegetarians for a number of reasons, such as religious, moral, philosophical, health, or economics and sustainability reasons.

For instance, the Jainist doctrine of non-violence requires all members to be strict vegetarian. Similarly, many Seventh Day Adventists choose to be vegetarian. In a less strict sense, some religions such as Judaism and Islam forbit their adherents from eating pork.

As an example of a moral argument for vegetarianism, some believe that, as living beings, animals have innate rights, and thus should not be eaten.

Since vegetarian diets tend to be low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, some believe it is healthier to be a vegetarian. This, of course, depends on the particular diet. Additionally, vegetarian foods are less suceptible to various forms of food poisoning that are common in meats.

Since the amount of resources required to create a single serving of meat is much greater than those necessary to create a serving vegetarian fare, and as many people across the globe are malnourished, some believe in an argument that being vegetarian is more sustainable or environmentally friendly.

Types of Vegetarianism

Although types of vegetarianism can be classified according to rationale, they are more often classified according to what a particular member of that classification will eat. Here is a non-exhaustive list of foods that a vegetarian may choose to eat or not eat.

• Meats
  • Beef -- very few people who eat beef will call themselves vegetarians.
  • Pork -- very few people who eat pork will call themselves vegetarians.
  • Poultry -- some vegetarians choose to eat poultry.
  • Seafood -- pesca-vegetarians choose to eat seafood.
• Eggs -- ovo-vegetarians choose to eat eggs.
• Dairy Products -- lacto-vegetarians choose to eat dairy products
• Other animal products
  • Gelatin -- a product derived from cow or horse hooves.
  • Honey -- a food derived from honey bees.
  • Rennet -- an enzyme taken from the fourth stomach of a ruminant. It is used to curdle milk to make most cheeses.

Veganism or strict vegetarianism is a diet in which absolutely no animal products are ingested. Even more strict, the Jainists believe that killing a plant constitutes violence, and thus refuse to eat root vegetables such as potatos or carrots.