We nowadays often hear and read about vegetarianism and veganism.
Did you know that a vegetarian is not a person who eats only vegetables!
In fact, the word “vegetarian” refers to people who eat vegetable foods, or their general food habits.
Moreover, there are various types of vegetarians, not only one.
Let's see the types of vegetarians. We will also introduce the origins and reasons for vegetarians.
What is a vegetarian anyway?
The word “Vegetarian” refers to a diet that avoids animal foods such as meat and fish and focuses on vegetable foods such as vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, potatoes, and beans.
The basic idea of vegetarianism was born in England, at the age when it entered the Industrial Revolution.
In the 19th century, members of the Bible Church in Manchester had a diet centered on vegetable foods such as grains, vegetables and legumes. Plus and were able to eat eggs and milk. No eating meat and fish. This was the moment when the vegetarianism movement was born.
The word vegetarian first came out in 1847, when the British Vegetarian Society was established.
By the way, the etymology of “Vegetarian” is often thought to be "vegetable", but it is said that it is actually derived from the Latin word "vegetus".
The meanings are healthy, fresh and energetic.
Types of Vegetarian
Speaking in general, "Vegetarian" is a person who consumes only vegetable foods / dietary habits. However, vegetarian is also a generic term, and there are various types.
Specifically, it can be divided into the following 9 types!
◆ Vegan
The so-called "vegetarian".
Who does not eat meat, fish, eggs, milk, honey, etc.
In Japan, shōjin meal is one of the traditional vegan foods.
Also, many people do not use animal materials or ingredients such as wool and cowhide.
◆ Fruitarian
Also known as a "fruit eater".
It is said to be a more strict vegetarian than vegans.
It refers to people who eat fruits (fruits = apples and mandarins) and nuts that are not life-threatening for the plant itself even if they are harvested.
◆ Oriental Vegetarian
Have the same diet as basic vegans.
However, adding to that, it is a style that does not eat garlic, green onions, scallions, and asagi .
Taiwan's "bare meal" is a meal for the Orient and vegetarians.
Many people practice it mainly for religious reasons, and it is the mainstream vegetarian in Asia.
◆ Lacto Vegetarian
Lact means milk. Drinks milk and eats dairy products, and does not eat meat or fish.
It is a popular diet in India, often for religious reasons.
◆ Ovo Vegetarian
Ovo means egg. Eggs and egg products are ingested, and meat and fish are not eaten.
◆ Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian
Generally speaking, "vegetarian" refers to the diet of lacto ovo.
Who drinks milk and eats eggs, but not eat meat or fish.
This style is widely practiced in Europe and the United States.
◆ Pescetarian
Who eats fish, eggs and dairy products. No meat.
◆ Pollo-Vegetarian
◆ Semi-Vegetarian
Also known as Flexitarian.
Who eats based on vegetable foods, but in some cases also eats meat and has a flexible diet.
Vegan
While vegetarians consume eggs and milk, vegans do not eat any animal foods such as these eggs, milk or honey.
In addition, they do not use anything that contains plant materials or animal ingredients, such as clothing, shampoo, and daily necessities such as cosmetics.
Therefore, many vegan people do not wear cowhide, wool, silk or fur.
However, there are also people who practice vegans only by eating habits, called dietary vegans.
Even though it's vegan, it's actually a fairly wide range of lifestyles.
Why do so many people be vegetarian?
Here are the main reasons for being vegetarians.
◆ Animal protection
For this reason, many people choose a lifestyle as vegan.
◆ Environmental problems
These people becomes vegetarian because of the environmental burden of livestock products and the pollution of the ocean by fishing.
◆ Health consideration
WHO has announced that "processed meat is highly carcinogenic," and “animal foods contain a large amount of cholesterol” Health reasons.
◆ Religious reason
This is why India and Taiwan have a large vegetarian and vegan population.
Macrobiotic diet
Macrobiotics are also a type of vegetarian.
Macrobiotics are basically vegetarian diets, and practice traditional Japanese diets centered on brown rice.
However, it seems that some fish and shellfish such as small fish are avoided.
Raw Food is also one of them.
Raw food is a dietary method that attempts to ingest the enzymes and nutrients contained in the ingredients by cooking the ingredients at below 46 degrees, and is counted as one of the special vegetarians.
There are also people called breatharians who eat "air" without eating at all!
There are really many kinds of vegetarian diets.
Vegetarian avoids sugar?
When filtering white sugar, a filter derived from beef bone is used.
Therefore, many vegetarians avoid it.
Instead they use millet sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, etc.
Should I be a vegetarian?
The important thing is not to be or not to be. Try to choose daily foods that satisfy you and live happily.
"What should I eat today?"
"I want to eat something that is good for my health."
Just do what you think is the best for you.
Wishing all of you who are reading this article will be enjoying their meal!
1 comment
Jurian San
The content was comfortably presented.