Believing Prayer
Have you noticed that most of us have been raised to not believe in positive outcomes? At the same time, we've been taught to believe in negative outcomes. Where's the logic in that? How much more effort does it take to believe in garbage than in...More Healthy and Fit Info

Putting Our Faith in Wishes or Prayers?
If you could make one wish, what would it be? For me, several things come to mind: I wish I could lose weight. I wish I could keep my car clean. I wish Ford would stop singing the Superman song 24-hours a day. Think of all the places humans have...More Healthy and Fit Info

Vegan Baby Superstore KidBean.com Debuts First Natural Fiber Vegan Kids Shoes
KidBean is thrilled to announce the addition of natural fiber vegan kid's shoes to their already extensive selection of all-natural baby and toddler products. March 26, 2004--KidBean.com is...More Healthy and Fit Info

Exercise and Low Carb Diet's Make Poor Partners
Over the last twenty five years the most common questioned asked me by frustrated exercisers, has been what exercise routine will get me the body I desire? My answer is always the same. They need to start exercising better judgement and learn that...More Healthy and Fit Info

Modern Day Miracles
In todays modern man, man is surrounded with the advancement of time and technology. Man's knowledge in many different fields have tremendously grown in leaps and bounds. Many unknown past have been uncovered and have given answers to man's...More Healthy and Fit Info

The Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian

If you recently started reading about vegetarian diets, you have probably read all sorts of strange vegetarian terms and categories like "vegan," "ovo-lacto vegetarian," and "semi-vegetarian." You probably wondered what the big deal was. Afterall, what is so conceptually tough about not eating meat?

And you were right!

The distinctions between these sub-categories of vegetarian are actually small, but each is very important to members who belong to the groups. For them, these distinctions aren't arbitrary lines; they are important dietary or ethical decisions.

Let's take a look at some of these groups:

VEGETARIAN:

Vegetarian is a blanket term used to describe a person who does not consume meat, poultry, fish, or seafood. This grouping includes vegans and the various sub- categories of vegetarian; however, it generally implies someone who has less dietary restrictions than a vegan.

SEMI-VEGETARIAN:

The term semi-vegetarian is usually used to describe someone who is not actually a vegetarian. Semi-vegetarian generally implies someone who only eats meat occasionally or doesn't eat meat, but

eats poultry and fish.

OVO-LACTO-VEGETARIAN:

Ovo-lacto vegetarians are vegetarians who do not consume meat, poultry, fish, and seafood, but do consume eggs and milk. This is the largest group of vegetarians.

OVO-VEGETARIAN:

Ovo-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume eggs.

LACTO-VEGETARIAN:

Lacto-vegetarian is a term used to describe someone who would be a vegan if they did not consume milk.

VEGAN:

Vegan is the strictest sub-category of vegetarians. Vegans do not consume any animal products or byproducts. Some even go as far as not consuming honey and yeast. Others do not wear any clothing made from animal products.

Take some time to figure out what group you will belong to when you become a vegetarian. You will want to consider both dietary and ethical reasons for choosing this lifestyle.
About the Author

Jeff Rose is the owner of Good Vegan Food, a new website featuring articles and recipes for vegans and vegetarians. Be sure to join the newsletter for even more tips.

Always consult with your doctor about health decisions and fitness programs