What are the main benefits of being vegetarian?

What does it mean to be vegetarian?

A vegetarian diet does not contain fish, meat or chicken.¹

That also extends to related products, such as seafood, gelatine or animal rennet, and stock or fat made from animals.

Typical components of a vegetarian diet might include fruit and vegetables, grains, pulses, seeds, nuts, eggs and dairy products.

The different types of vegetarianism

The ‘classic’ vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo vegetarian)

• Eats no meat or fish
• Eats dairy products, e.g., cheese and milk
• Eats eggs

Lacto vegetarian

• Eats no meat or fish
• Eats dairy products, e.g., cheese and milk

Ovo vegetarian

• Eats no meat or fish
• Eats eggs

Pescetarian

• Eats no meat but eats fish
• Eats dairy products, e.g., cheese and milk
• Eats eggs

Flexitarian

• Eats meat or fish sometimes
• Eats dairy products, e.g., cheese and milk
• Eats eggs

Last updated: 17 May 2022