Vegetarian diet types

How many types of vegetarian diets are there? Which one best suits me?

Vegetarian diets are those that exclude meat and animal products, such as milk, eggs and honey. There are different types of diets within vegetarianism, each with its own characteristics and restrictions. Next, we will detail the differences between the ovolactovegetarian, lactovegetarian, ovolactovegetarian and vegan diets.

Lacto-ovovegetarian

The ovolactovegetarian diet is the most common within vegetarianism. In this diet, mainly foods of plant origin are consumed, but dairy products and eggs are also included. This means that lacto-ovo vegetarians can consume milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs and other dairy products, as well as fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals and nuts. This diet provides an additional source of protein and other important nutrients found in dairy products and eggs.

Lacto vegetarian

On the other hand, the lacto vegetarian diet excludes eggs, but includes dairy products in the diet. Lacto vegetarians consume milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products, but avoid eggs in their diet. This diet still provides a rich source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients found in dairy, but may require careful planning to ensure you get enough protein and nutrients without the inclusion of eggs in your diet.

Ovo-vegetarian

On the other hand, the ovo-vegetarian diet excludes dairy products, but includes eggs in the diet. Ovo-vegetarians consume eggs, but avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. This diet can also provide a good source of protein and other essential nutrients found in eggs, but may be more restrictive in terms of dietary options than the lacto-ovo-vegetarian and lacto-vegetarian diets.

Vegan

Finally, the vegan diet is the most restrictive within vegetarianism, since it excludes all products of animal origin, including meat, dairy products, eggs and honey. Vegans rely on exclusively plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. This diet can provide all the necessary nutrients if planned properly, but may require more attention to ensure you are getting enough protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and other nutrients often obtained from animal sources.

Within vegetarianism, there are different types of diets, such as lacto-ovovegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, lacto-ovovegetarian and vegan, each with its own characteristics and restrictions.

All of them are a healthy and environmentally friendly option, which excludes the consumption of meat and products of animal origin. Personally, depending on the time of year I have been making some of them and getting to know different products on the market. If you like to try and care about animal welfare, I encourage you to learn about the alternatives to meat products.