Vegetarian
Vegetarians
Do not eat the flesh of any animals be they mammals, birds or fish.
Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians
Include dairy products and eggs (free-range please!) as part of their diet. This is the diet most commonly thought of as vegetarian.
Vegan lifestyle
Those practicing a full vegan lifestyle endeavour to live lives which do not cause any suffering at to animals, or exploit animals in any way. This involves not eating eggs, dairy produce, or honey; not wearing leather, wool, silk; and not using products that have been tested on animals.
Macrobiotic
Foods are classified according to the ancient Chinese principle of Yin and Yang, the idea is to achieve a Yin-Yang balance in the diet. The foods that are avoided in this diet include all processed foods, meat and dairy products, and refined flours and sugars.
Raw and Living Food Diets
Includes fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, and sea vegetables. Food is eaten whole or processed by juicing or dehydrating. This preserves their enzymes and nutrient values. Most raw foodists soak/sprout nuts, seeds, and grains before consuming them.
Fruitarian
Fruitarians live on nuts, fruits and flowers which can be harvested without causing damage to the plant. Note: avocados, tomatoes and eggplants are considered to be fruits.
Top reasons to go vegetarian
Lower disease risk - such as heart disease, many types of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, food poisoning, obesity... Vegetarians pass up flesh foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fat, and lacking in dietary fibre. Plant foods contain antioxidants and a variety of phytochemicals that protect against disease.
Live longer - a major study published in the British Medical Journal found that vegetarians outlive meat eaters by six years. The study tracked 11,125 people over 12 years and adjusted for smoking and socio-economic status.
Compassion - you won't be supporting an industry that raises animals in cramped, overcrowded spaces, separates them from their young, denies them sunlight and fresh air – and then trucks them to slaughter.
Save wilderness - meat production requires huge amounts of land, energy and water – which leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, water depletion, and pollution from pesticides and animal waste.
For an ocean of love - the oceans are being overfished, coral reefs are being destroyed and sensitive seafloors are getting raked with drag nets. Many species are threatened, including dolphins, seabirds and turtles that get snagged in the nets
Expand your taste horizons - vegetarian meals can be diverse, fast, colourful and delicious!
No more dirty dishes caked with animal grease.