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Thinking of Going Vegetarian?

Have been thinking of going vegetarian or at least partial vegetarian. Vegetarians can be of different types or varieties. Definitions are as follows ::

Vegan -- a person who eats absolutely no animal products of any kind (no eggs, dairy, fish, honey, etc.)
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian -- very popular because it is based on a diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes (beans), seeds and nuts, and includes eggs (ovo) and dairy (lacto). No meat, poultry or fish!
Lacto-Vegetarian -- No eggs! Other than that, it is similar to lacto-ovo vegetarian.
Pesco-Vegetarian -- This vegetarian diet includes fish, eggs and dairy, but no chicken or meats.
Macrobiotics -- based on a philosophy of a healthy balance. Whole grains make up about one third of the day's foods, vegetables make up about a quarter to a third, legumes average 10% of your intake. Fish is also eaten by many.

So even vegetarians have a choice. Probably Pesco-Vegetarian would be my choice. This will result in not too many changes to my present diet and with fish included, getting supplies of fish oils in the diet would not be a problem.

For those who eat vegetarian-style, the traditional Food Guide Pyramid doesn’t indicate how to assure an adequate supply of certain nutrients that can be absent in the diet. You have got to go for a modified one and fortunately this one by the American Dietetic Associationdoes illustrate how to go meatless nutritiously. One would have notice that it is for the Lacto-Vegetarian mainly, the other varieties would have to modify it a little. For the Pesco-Vegetarian, one needs only to add eggs and fish! Here is another Vegetarian Food Pyramid.

I propose to go slow with my change from a non-vegetarian to the diet of a Pesco-Vegetarian. Probably dropping meat and chicken initially and gradually before going meat and chickenless eventally.

Going vegetarian has its benefits but there are also associated side effects and deficiencies. A total vegetarian diet on its downside can result in deficiencies of vitamins, calcium, iron and healthy Omega-fats. So one must go slowly and see that these deficiencies do not result, non-meat sources of these vitamins, minerals and fats have to be included in one's vegetarian diet.

Apart from a change of diet, healthy activities and daily dose fo exercise should be included. Wish me luck.

Useful links ::
1. Vegetarian Food Guide -- a conceptual framework
2. Westbrae Vegetarian Food Guide
3. New food guide pyramid for vegetarians