A lacto-vegetarian diet is a plant-based eating pattern that includes dairy products while excluding meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. In simpler terms, lacto-vegetarians eat vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy products, but they do not eat any kind of animal flesh or eggs.
Here's a breakdown of what a lacto-vegetarian diet typically involves:
-
Allowed Foods:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Grains (rice, wheat, oats, etc.)
- Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
- Nuts and seeds
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, etc.)
-
Foods to Avoid:
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Eggs
The "lacto" in "lacto-vegetarian" comes from the Latin word "lac," meaning milk, which highlights the inclusion of dairy in this type of vegetarianism. The rationale behind choosing a lacto-vegetarian diet varies, but it can include ethical concerns about animal welfare, environmental considerations, health reasons, or religious beliefs.
