The vegetarian diet: types, benefits, and health considerations

What is vegetarian?

A vegetarian is a person who follows a diet by eating only plant-based foods such as wheat, legumes, seeds, nuts, mushrooms, yeast, fruits and vegetables.

According to the Vegetarian Association, a vegetarian diet is usually a diet that avoids foods of animal origin (beef, poultry, fish and shellfish). However, the vegetarian diet itself is still divided into several types. Thus, the provisions and restrictions also vary depending on the type.

Vegetarian types

Actually there are many types of vegetarians, but there are 4 types that are most commonly found, namely:

Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Vegetarians who do not eat animal meat, but still consume products dairy (derived from milk) and eggs. In Latin, lacto means milk, and ovo means egg. So, lacto-ovo vegetarians still eat cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream.
Lacto vegetarian: Vegetarians who do not eat meat and eggs, but continue to consume products dairy (milk).
Ovo vegetarian: Vegetarians who do not eat meat and products dairy (milk), but it is okay to eat eggs.
Vegan: Are vegetarians who completely abstain from all food products of animal origin, including honey, gelatin and swallow's nest.

In addition, there is also a type of peskatarian diet, which is not consuming all types of animal products except fish and the flexitarian diet, which is a diet that allows the consumption of animal products at a certain time or period. These two types of diets are usually carried out by people who have just turned vegetarian, or people who have health problems that must consume protein and nutrients from animal sources.

Is being vegetarian healthier?

Vegetarianism is a diet that can have health benefits. However, in order to answer whether being vegetarian makes you healthier, there are many factors to consider. Among these are your choice of food sources. As long as you keep meeting all your nutritional needs in a balanced manner, a number of studies have shown that vegetarians have a better chance of being healthier than those who are not vegetarians.

In general, here are some of the benefits of being a vegetarian.

Improved overall health.
Body weight is more under control, because vegetarians usually have a more ideal weight than people who eat any type of food.
Reduced risk of diseases such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

What needs to be considered for a vegetarian

Although in general a vegetarian diet is a wise choice for your health, you should also consider some of the consequences of not eating animal foods. One of them is the lack of a variety of important nutrients which, unfortunately, can only be found in meat, or in very small amounts in vegetable food sources.

Most vegetarians are diagnosed with deficiencies in iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarians can supplement these nutritional needs by taking these nutritional supplements.

In addition, you also need to consider and rack your brain to get around the limited food sources. Do not let because you are not allowed to eat animal foods, you do not vary your daily food and only want to eat the same thing. In addition, vegetarians generally have to spend more time adjusting their diet as they have to prepare food and be careful in determining the type of food to buy.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.