Vegetarianism refers to any diet which excludes meat consumption as well as possibly other animal products such as eggs. Most commonly, vegetarianism takes on three main forms. Lacto-ovo vegetarians avoid meat and poultry while including dairy and eggs in their diet; lacto vegetarians forgo egg consumption but still include dairy; while ovo vegetarians don’t include either dairy nor eggs in their lifestyle. Vegans practice strict vegetarianism by abstaining from all animal products such as meat, dairy products, eggs and honey; pescatarians opt for seafood while foregoing other forms of meat; while flexitarians adhere primarily to this lifestyle but occasionally indulge in meat or fish consumption.

Vegetarianism may be chosen due to ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and sustainability issues as well as for health reasons. Vegetarian diets may include plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts that provide essential nutrition while possibly decreasing health conditions like heart disease or cancer. But vegetarians must plan their diet carefully in order to ensure they receive all necessary vitamin B12, iron and protein which may otherwise come exclusively from animal products.

The Most Common Types of Vegetarian Diets

• Lacto-ovo vegetarianism: This type of diet is the most prevalent vegetarian lifestyle choice and eliminates meat from one’s diet while permitting dairy and egg products.
• Lacto-vegetarian Diet: This diet resembles lacto-ovo vegetarianism but excludes eggs.
• Ovo-vegetarianism: Similar to lacto-ovo vegetarianism, except without dairy products included.
• Vegan: Adherence to this restrictive form of vegetarianism means forgoing all animal products such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs and honey.

Other types of vegetarian diets:

• Pescatarian Diet: This diet forgoes meat and poultry consumption while still permitting fish and seafood consumption.
• Flexitarian Diet: This type of diet emphasizes plant-based foods while still permitting occasional consumption of meat or animal products.
• Raw vegan: The raw vegan diet consists of only raw or unprocessed plant foods and beverages, such as vegetables.

History of Vegetarianism

Though vegetarianism has its origins in ancient history, it rose in prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries as a result of social movements and growing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical concerns regarding meat consumption.

Early advocates of vegetarianism include ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and the Roman poet Ovid who advocated for a plant-based diet. In India, the practice of non-violence and concept of ahimsa caused many Hindus, Jains and Buddhists to adopt vegetarianism around 500 BCE.

In 1847, the Vegetarian Society was formed in the United Kingdom to promote non-meat eating. The advent of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1863 widely promoted vegetarianism on religious grounds. In the 1880s, vegetarian restaurants and health food stores began to emerge in Greater London and New York City due to the influence of vegetarian societies.

In 1944, vegetarianism gained greater attention with the publication of the book Veganism by Donald Watson, who coined the term “vegan”. From the 1960s onwards, an increasing environmental movement brought awareness to the environmental damage of meat production. Famous proponents like Paul McCartney and John Lennon further popularized vegetarianism.

Since the turn of the 21st century, growing awareness of health risks associated with meat consumption has driven more people towards vegetarian and plant-based diets. The emergence of social media and films like Food, Inc. have also given visibility to the vegetarian movement.

Here are some of the main reasons people choose to go vegetarian

Health – Reducing meat intake and increasing plant foods can help prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Vegetarians tend to have lower BMI and cholesterol levels. Plant-based diets are linked to increased longevity.

Environment – Animal agriculture accounts for nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It also uses massive amounts of land, water and other resources. Adopting a vegetarian diet dramatically reduces one’s environmental footprint.

Ethics – Many object to the suffering and death endured by animals raised for food in factory farm settings. Vegetarians view avoiding meat as a moral obligation to refrain from harming sentient creatures.

Food security – Meat production is highly inefficient, using resources that could instead feed more people directly. With nearly 1 billion undernourished people, adopting plant-based diets can allow the global food supply to be distributed more equitably.

Religion – Various religious faiths have promoted vegetarianism including Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Seventh Day Adventism. Followers avoid meat because of ideals like ahimsa (non-violence) or as an expression of stewardship over God’s creation.

That covers some of the major motivations people have for eliminating meat from their diets and pursuing vegetarian or vegan lifestyles. The choice stems from an array of health, humanitarian, and ecological considerations.

Editor’s Choice

• India boasts the highest vegetarian population adherence rate at 39.5% of their population following this diet.
• Globally, an estimated 1.5 billion individuals practice vegetarianism – 22% of global population has chosen this lifestyle option.
• Around 22% of global populations choose a vegetarian lifestyle.
• Vegetarians experience up to 12% lower cancer rates.
• Global transition towards vegetarianism could save an estimated annual saving of approximately one trillion.
• Opting for a plant-based diet has been shown to lower risk of heart disease by 40%.
• Vegetarians have an approximately 50% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes than nonvegetarians.
• Market estimates place plant-based meat substitutes at $1.4 billion.
• Nigeria has experienced an unprecedented spike in vegetarianism; currently its vegetarian population stands at over 1.4 million people.
• An estimated 5-6% of American’s are now vegetarians or follow a plant-based diet.
• Germany boasts over 7-and-a-half million vegetarians, an increase since 2014.
• In the UK, approximately 6% of its population practices vegetarianism with over three and one half million individuals adhering to this lifestyle choice.
• Roughly five percent (or 9.7 million people) follow a vegetarian diet in America, accounting for just under five million total followers.
• Women make up 6% of the US vegetarian demographic and are twice as likely as men to identify as vegetarian.
• About 32% of US residents identify themselves as mostly vegetarian, and this number is projected to continue rising.
• 22% of millennials have at some point tried a vegetarian diet.

ABOUT AUTHOR

by Yogesh Shinde

Yogesh Shinde is a passionate writer, researcher, and content creator with a keen interest in technology, innovation and industry research. With a background in computer engineering and years of experience in the tech industry. He is committed to delivering accurate and well-researched articles that resonate with readers and provide valuable insights. When not writing, I enjoy reading and can often be found exploring new teaching methods and strategies.