Embracing Vegetarianism

Just to recap, there are different types of vegetarians.

- Lim Teck Choon

The Many Flavours of Vegetarians

Just to recap, there are different types of vegetarians. There is no “right” or “better” group to belong to – we are free to choose one that aligns with our health and nutritional needs, taste buds and personal beliefs the most.

• Flexitarians or semi-vegetarians are vegetarians most of the time, but they still eat fish and meat now and then. Other groups of vegetarians sometimes blame flexitarians (playfully, we hope) for sowing confusion about the lifestyle among non-vegetarians.

• Pesci-vegetarians (pescatarians) avoid meat and poultry, but they still include fish, eggs and dairy products in their vegetarian diet.

• Lacto-ovo vegetarians don’t eat fish, meat and poultry, but they still include eggs and dairy products in their vegetarian diet.

• Lacto-vegetarians still include dairy products in their diet but exclude everything else of animal origin.

• Ovo-vegetarians still eat eggs while avoiding other foods of animal origin.

• Vegans avoid eating any foods that originate from animals, with no exceptions.

Just as with other major changes in our lives, embracing vegetarianism may come with bumps and hiccups that challenge our determination to stick to the new habit. This month, nutritional consultant, life coach and long-time vegan Elke Wollschon addresses some common misconceptions as well as offers some tips for those of us who are about to make that journey into vegetarianism.

THE FACTS VERSUS THE HYPE "VEGETARIANS ARE HEALTHIER THAN PEOPLE WHO ALSO EAT MEAT."

This is a generalization, and like most generalizations, it is not strictly true or false.