what is a vegetarian diet?

Keven Drumgole: Short answer - no.The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as: "Someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or by-products of slaughter." So it's not just avoiding meat or fish, but those tricksy little slaughter 'by-products'. Like gelatin, cochineal, rennet, lard etc that makes you a vegetarian....Show more

Talisha Digrande: yes, a vegetarian avoids anything with meat or a meat-source.

Brittanie Zakutney: Well yes sort of. It doesn't "make" you anything. Vegetarian is a word some people like to use on themselves. You can not eat meat, fish ( a meat of course) gelatin, animal rennet, roe or anything from a dead animal and just call yourself a normal person. Because we weren't made to eat that stuff anyway. But it's really up to you. I think personally, that meat eaters should be given! the label of meat eater. And anyone eating a normal human diet, just called normal.

Adan Alipio: Adopting a healthy vegetarian diet isn't just taking meat off your plate and eating what's left. You need to take extra steps to ensure you're meeting your daily nutritional needs. A well-balanced vegetarian diet consists mostly of plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.Instead of using the standard food pyramid, using a vegetarian food pyramid may be helpful. This food pyramid outlines various food groups and food choices that help form the foundation of a healthy vegetarian diet.2. Look into meat alternatives, such as tofu, soy, or tempeh. These products are now frequently found at mainstream grocery stores. Some of them actually have the same taste and texture as meat, whereas others just have the nutritional value.3. Find alternatives for egg and dairy products if you are following a vegan diet.Milk â€" Drink fortified soy! milk, rice milk, or almond milk in place of cow’s milk. Som! e of these milks can taste bland, but some companies flavor them with vanilla and they can be quite good. Coconut milk is also becoming popular, and has 50 percent more calcium than regular whole milk.Butter â€" When doing saute, use extra virgin olive oil, water, vegetable broth, wine or fat-free cooking spray instead of butter. For baked goods, use canola oil.Cheese â€" Use soy cheeseEggs â€" For baked goods, you can use egg substitute, which is a dry product made mostly of potato starch.4. Ensure that you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. The more restrictive your diet, the harder it is to get everything you need. You need to be conscious that you are getting all the required vitamins and nutrients.5. Start with vegetarian dishes with which you are already familiar. Make a list of some meatless meals you already prepare, such as spaghetti with tomato sauce and a high protein pasta some companies make now. One pasta brand, the spaghetti is made with lentils, ! and chick peas. Vegetable stir fry is also good, and one can substitute beans instead of meat for extra protein.6. Make meatless substitutions. Choose meals that could easily be meat-free with a couple of substitutions. Many dishes may only require one or two substitutions!7. Experiment with new meal ideas. Look up vegetarian recipes online or look through vegetarian cookbooks for some ideas. The more variety you have in your vegetarian or vegan diet, the easier it will be to meet your nutritional needs8. Locate your local farmers market. By buying close to home you are helping local farmers, buying fresher foods, not paying for transport from foreign countries which may allow pesticides that have been banned in the US. Chances are also good they are not coated with waxy residue to make them look shiny and not artificially ripened. Dirt on your veggies isn't a bad thing!9. Eat your vegetables! Vegetables and fruits provide nutrients and vitamins. Try to buy from local farme! rs markets and organically if possible. For best results, grow your own! . Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and its like-minded counterparts tend to have plenty of iron. Eat vegetables that are colorful and fresh. The more color and variety the more vitamins and nutrients you are ingesting. Since most people take in more protein than is actually necessary you don't have to worry about replacing all the protein you give up with meat.10. Find protein and fiber in legumes. Beans are inexpensive, available year round and easier to prepare. Lentils are possibly the perfect food as they contain more protein pound for pound than steak, not fat and plenty fiber. They're also available in several varieties....Show more

Keven Drumgole: Yes

Joni Ziak: A well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can provide many health benefits, such as a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including:ObesityCoronary artery diseaseHypertension (high blood pressure)DiabetesSome types of cancer.Vegetarians and vegans also have lower rates of illness and death from a n! umber of degenerative diseases.If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you need to make sure you get the right amount of essential dietary minerals. Some of these minerals and their suggested food sources include:Iron â€" vegetarian and vegan diets are generally high in iron from plant foods. However, this iron is not absorbed as well as the iron in meat. Good food sources of iron that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans include cereals fortified with iron, whole grains, legumes, tofu, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits. Combining these foods with foods high in vitamin C and food acids like fruit and vegetables will help your body absorb the iron.Zinc â€" performs essential functions in the body, including the development of immune system cells. Good food sources of zinc include nuts, tofu, miso, legumes, wheatgerm and wholegrain foods.Calcium â€" is needed for strong bones and teeth. Good food sources of calcium include dairy products, fortified cereals and fruit juices,! fortified soymilk, tahini and some brands of tofu. Leafy dark green ve! getables (especially Asian greens), legumes, almonds and Brazil nuts also contain calcium.Iodine â€" our bodies need iodine for the thyroid gland and other associated hormones to function normally. Iodised salt is the most common source of iodine in the Western diet. Iodine is found in seafood, which is a rich source of this element. Sea vegetables (seaweed) also contain iodine, but are also high in salt....Show more

Edmund Rappley: No, that would make you a pescatarian or a fishtarian

Inell Riesgo: A vegetarian is when you don't eat meat. I think some eat fish, but definitely no meat. A vegan is someone that eats no animal products (no cheese, milk ect.) yes, it sounds like you're a vegetarian.