This document defines different types of vegetarian diets and the reasons people adopt them. It begins by explaining that a vegetarian diet includes grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits but excludes meat, poultry, fish and byproducts. It then outlines several types of vegetarian diets including pescatarian, flexitarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, and macrobiotic. Finally, it discusses some of the religious, health and environmental reasons people choose a vegetarian lifestyle.

1. What is a vegetarian
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.“
When the vegetarian society say shellfish what they mean is a sea animal that is covered with a shelf for
example crustaceans and most molluscs.
There are a number of different types of vegetarian :
Pescatarian :
The word pescatarian is occasionally used to
describe someone who completely refrains from
eating all meats and animal flesh except from
fish. This word is not so commonly used anymore
however, a lot more people are adopting this
type of diet. Some for health reasons and others
use it as a stepping stone to becoming a full
vegetarian.
Flexitarian :
Flexitarian is a word coined by the vegetarian
society to describe those who are not actual
vegetarians but still enjoy vegetarian diets. There
are a large number of people who prefer to eat a
vegetarian diet whilst occasionally still eating
meat. Some vegetarians disagree with this
lifestyle whilst others think it is a step in the right
direction.
Lacto – ovo – Vegetarian :
This is the most common type of vegetarianism, if
you were to think about what a vegetarian is, this
term would back that up. These are people who
eat no meat or shellfish but will consume eggs
and dairy products . A slight variation of this is
the Lacto Vegetarian who will not eat eggs but
will consume dairy products.
Vegan :
Vegans will refuse to eat any sort of meat
however they differ from vegetarians in the fact
that they will also not consume eggs, dairy
products or any processed foods that may
contain animal derived ingredients such as
gelatin. Many vegans also take a strong standing
on making sure they do not have products that
are made with animal products, despite them
having no animal in the final product, for
example sugar and some wines. There are some
items of food that cause debate in the vegan
society, a commonly debated food item is
honey.
Raw Vegan :
A raw vegans diet consists of the same things as
a regular vegan diet, however they will not eat
any unprocessed vegan foods that have been
heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. ‘’Raw
foodists ‘’as they are known believe that if food
is cooked above that temperature that it begins
to lose most of its nutritional values. They also
believe that it makes the food harmful to he
body. There are a lot of small variations of the
raw Vegan diet such as :- Fruitarianism
juicearianism, and sproutarianism
Macrobiotic :
The macrobiotic diet is revered by some
for its healthy healing qualities. The
macrobiotic diet creates an ideal
combination of a few of the other sections
of vegetarianism. They eat vegan foods
such as whole rains, fruits and vegetables
whilst still being allowed to consume fish.
Sugar and other refined oils are avoided.
What makes this diet incredibly unique is
its emphasis on the fact you are allowed to
consume Asian vegetables, such as
daikon, and sea vegetables, such as
seaweed.
Openingquote reference : http://www.vegsoc.org/page.aspx?pid=698

2. Table 2 shows that 67% of individuals (out of 110) start the vegetarian diet due
to ethical beliefs and other specific reasons. This could be to do with several
controversial subjects, one being the unethical mistreatment of animals in
society “The act of unnecessary killing of sentient beings and opposition to
certain agricultural practices surrounding the production of meat.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics_of_eating_meat. Or some religions worship
upon animals and find it morally wrong to eat them, an example being that in
religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, cattle are considered sacred.
Also in states like India, the slaughter of cattle is forbidden and their meat may
be taboo.
http://www.scienceofeds.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Timko-et-al-2012-Table-1-Adapted1.png
Table 2 also shows that 17% of individuals (out of 110) start the vegetarian diet
for health reasons. Studies taken place in the year 2012
(http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/vegetarian.htm) have shown that a
vegetarian that also follows a well-balanced, low-fat, high-fibre diet – often have
lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some
forms of cancer. Overall a vegetarian diet does tend to be significantly lower in
fat than the traditional diet.
Finally, table 2 shows 8% (out of 110) begin the vegetarian diet for
environmental reasons. A term often used when discussing the vegetarian diet
with environmental causes is “sustainable agriculture”. This is the idea that
farming should be self-sustaining, as the vegetation and vegan lifestyles require
significantly less water and also prevent pollution. It is also believed that
choosing the vegetarian lifestyle can all prevent other environmental concerns
such as global warming and deforestation.
Table 1 shows that out of 111 samples the medium age is 27 years old. Research conducted
as University of Virginia reported in the academic journal Neurobiology Of Aged, scientists
found that out mental abilities start of deteriorate from the age of 27 after the reaching the
peek at 22. This was proclaimed after studying 2,000 men and women aged 18-60 over
seven years, individuals were of good health and well educated.
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1162052/Old-age-begins-27--scientists-
claim-new-research.html ) In today’s society in is traditional that an individual begins to
think more cautiously about their health and diet at the age of 27. They may also already
have or be expecting children which can also create a dramatic impact of how a people
controls their eating habits and regular diet. This can be a logical reason for turning to the
vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, to maintain the body’s health as well as children and other
family member etc. A lot see it a more of a lifestyle choice rather than a forceful nature.
Table 1 also shows that 86% (out of 111) vegetarians are females, meaning the remaining 14%
are males. In both men and women, traditionally the primary reason for becoming a
vegetarian is for health benefits, in society health concerns play a big role when converting to
vegetarianism, it is commonly shown that there are currently more female than male
vegetarians. Also in statistics according to Men’s Health magazine, women choose to visit
there local GP an average of 6.2 times per year where as men only 4.5 times a year. These
results show that women take a more proactive approach to their health rather than men.

3. An outline of various reasons that people become a vegetarian
Health reasons
• Excessive eating of meat along un-balanced, high-fat and salt diet can be technically linked to causes of cancer and circulatory systems.
• Meat is significantly high in cholesterol and too much can be bad for the health, especially in the US where portions are larger and meat is eaten in greater
quantities.
• The majority of cases of food poisoning are consumed from animal products. Recently in the last century factory farms, slaughterhouses and meat packing
plants have become exceptionally unhygienic and contaminated places.
• Choosing the vegetarian lifestyle often results in a reduction in the risk of gaining weight and developing cancers, it also promotes a longer life spam. The
Ornish diet (a low fat vegetarian lifestyle) is proven to reverse the effects of heart disease. Also the thought of the time taken for meat to be externally
digested can push people to turning vegetarian.
For environmental reasons
• The production of meat produce can destroy endangered rain forest environments, as the process produces excessive amounts of methane (a greenhouse
gas) and water pollution in the form of sewage solution.
• Breeding and raising livestock can produce significantly more greenhouse gases than the majority of motor vehicles. Growing and maintaining vegetarian
produce uses considerably less water than that of raising livestock.
• Half of all water used in US is used to raise livestock, this seen as a dramatic waste of valuable nature resources.
• It takes several pounds of vegetarian product to produce one pound of meat.
• It is proven that in the UK over half of all food grown goes to the production of livestock.
• Consuming meat can create around half of the world’s pollution, where as traffic only causes 11%.
For political reasons
• If all the resources provided for meat production were diverted; there is believed that there could be enough food to feed everyone on the earth.
• The production of meat produce is considered wasteful; it takes several pounds of grain to produce just one produce of meat.
• An even distribution of food and valuable resources in the world is considered possible if the produce fed to farm animals was used to feed people instead.
A large percentage of the food grown in the world today goes into feeding livestock for meat.
For psychological reasons
• Some individuals just find meat unappealing.
• People can often be put of from eating meat due to stories in the media and turn to vegetarian labels e.g. 2013, The Horse Meat Scandal.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/05/horsemeat-scandal-sales-vegetarian-alternatives
• Some people can be allergic or have phobias of meat produce.

4. For religious/philosophical reasons
• People choosing the vegetarian lifestyle believe that the treatment and
prolonged cruelty of animals in the meat industry is “inexcusable”.
• Individuals also believe that animals are no different from the human race and
society denies their natural rights and that they should not be raised for
slaughter.
• Religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism worship cows and consider
them sacred, there for it is considered morally wrong and insulting to eat meat
within those religions. An example being in states like India, the meat is taboo
and slaughter houses are prohibited from society.
• It is scientifically proven that animals have individual personalities and
feelings, although they made not be as thoroughly in-depth as the humans–
vegetarians believe that putting an animal through fear and pain is intolerable.
• Eating meat is believed to create “bad karma”.

5. Jainism
In this particular Indian religion, the concept of Jainism is to
promote ahimsa; meaning “non-injuring”. This relates to
achieving a goal of very little violence to living organisms. In the
community it is mandatory to obtain a vegetarian diet with
members either been lacto-vegetarian or vegans. Any
consumption or intake of meat or substance taken from a dead
animal is forbidden, this goes roughly the same for the
unnecessary injury of plants and minuscule organisms.
Ahimsa is considered to be the most essential duty in the Jainism
religion, they do not pose any beliefs in the sacrifice of animals
and consider all living forms to be equal amongst the
community. People following the religion also have a strong
belief in the effects of karmic influences and that the suffering of
animals and other living organisms will later arise and effect the
human population due to their actions of slaughtering for food.
“Hinduism holds that such influences affect he who permits the
slaughter of an animal, he who cuts it up, he who kills it, he who
buys or sells meat, he who cooks it, he who serves it up, and he
who eats it. They must all be considered the slayers of the
animal.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism_and_religion

6. Hinduism
Following the vegetarian diet is a fundamental part of most school communities in the Hindu
religion. Over the course of time the range of beliefs and practices has expanded and changed due
to what individuals believe is true and fair. Overall only a minor percentage of Hindus are
vegetarians as the majority do not take into consideration the aspects of vegetarianism.
In the Hinduism, based in India – a land where agriculture was easy and the idea of living of a
vegetarian diet became popular. The process of animal sacrifice was scrapped in Vedic rituals and
was further replaced by integrating a vegetarian diet. Also, due to the heavy heated climate that
varies over the seasons – which enables them to grow a great amount of vegetation produce. This
enabled the community to create a variety of meals that don’t include meat produce, India produce
some of the world’s most famous herbs and spices to create a range of different flavours to add to
simple meals.
As previously stated, not all Hindus are vegetarian. It is believed that the beliefs and overall nature
of diet is set out across different areas of India. Communities living in the costal areas or in the river
deltas of Ganges and Brhamaputra east fish as it is a traditional element of their diet, due to been
surrounded by fresh water.
Communities from warrior/rajput caste tend to eat meat as a matter of course and to show an
element of strength and power amongst their fellow neighbours.
Communities in the lower castes have little religious injunctions and eat meat if it is available to
them, if and when they can.
Hindus who moved to India across from Africa, Trinidad, Fiji and Europe, USA etc. are often very
restricted to eat a vegetarian diet. Often very little vegetation was available to them in the later
stages of the year so this again pushed them to eat animal produce rather than a vegetarian diet.

7. Vegetarian Companies
Quorn :
Quorn are the leading brand in imitation meat mycoprotein in the United Kingdom.
The mycoprotein that Quorn uses to create their product is expanded from a type
of fungus. Quorn is produced as a type of ready meal and as a brand of ingredients.
It is sold as a health food and also as an alternative to meat. Quorn received the
vegetarian seal of approval when they made sure that only free range eggs were
used in their products. Quorn was first introduced into retail in 1994 and was
introduced into the US in 2002. The initial advertising included sports personalities
including Ryan Giggs, Will carling and Sally Gunner.
Redwood :
Redwood are a company that specialise in creating meals that are completely
free from any kind of animal ingredients. They can create animal free
meats, fish and dairy free cheeses. They pride the fact that they create food
products that save not only animals but also help people and the environment.
‘’ What makes our foods special? The fact that they're just that little bit
different. From fish-style fingers and spicy falafel to meat-free ‘bacon', nuggets
and schnitzels, Redwood foods are inspirational, healthy and nutritious and a
great source of protein. We've even picked up a few awards along the way.
And been awarded ethical company status.’’
Vegan Society :
The Vegan society is an educational charity that promotes and support the vegan
way of life. Whilst the Vegan society differs from quorn and redwood in the fact
that it doesn’t directly sell food or produce food for retail it does promote the
lifestyle and give people a lot of avenues to research meals and look up the
nutritional values. The website provides a great outlet for people to discover all of
the facts and information that they need about veganism. There are even support
and help tips on how to make the transition to becoming a vegan.

8. Quorn products still remain the go-to brand from people following a
vegetarian diet. They appeal strongly to their target demographic
because of their overall appeal to satisfy the taste and consistency of
meat, but without it actually been included in the product. The
products are made with a product called mycoprotein, which is a
healthy form of meat free high quality protein which is also a good
source of dietary fibre, this means it is naturally low in fat. There are
100 different Quorn products in the line available in most UK
supermarkets.

9. Vegans and vegetarians are incredibly limited to what they can have at mealtime. Here is a list of foods prohibited from vegans and vegetarians.
Canned Goods and Non-Perishable
Soup base/stock/bouillon: meat or fish fat
Vegetable soup: meat or poultry broth
Worcestershire sauce: anchovies
Lard: solid animal fat
Caesar salad / dressing: anchovies, possibly bacon
Refried beans: lard
Beans in tomato sauce: pork
Bakery, Bread and Crackers
Crackers: may contain animal-derived enzymes
Amino L-cysteine: derived from animal hair or feathers
Whey protein: a milk product
Omega-3 enriched bread: may contain fish oil
Candy, Desserts and Confectionary
Marshmallows: gelatin (made from animal bones)
Hard / chewy candies like Skittles or Starburst brands: gelatin
Jell-o or gelatin desserts: gelatin
White sugar: filtered using animal bone char
Pie crusts: store-bought and some homemade contain lard and/or butter
Glazed/candied cherries: cochineal/carmine (insect colouring)
Candies made with red food colouring: cochineal/carmine
Candies made with shellac or confectioner's glaze: insect-derived ingredients
Produce
Apples, candy apples: shiny read coating made from beetles (cochineal/carmine)
Caesar salad (pre-packaged): anchovies, possibly bacon
Dairy/Frozen/Refrigerated Products
Frozen hash brown potatoes: some contain lard
Yogurt or sour cream (especially low-fat brands): gelatin
DHA-enriched products (for example; milk, orange juice, margarine, cheese, bread but not omega-3 eggs): gelatin
Cheese: rennet (scraped from the stomachs of cows)
Margarine: gelatin, whey powder, casein
Soy cheese: most contain casein (a milk protein) to help them melt
Beverages
Beer
Wine
Gelatin: The protein obtained by boiling
skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. The substance is
usually obtained from cows or pigs. Gelatin is also used in
shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics; as a thickener for fruit
gelatins and puddings (such as Jell-O); in
candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, and yogurts; on
photographic film; in vitamins as a coating and as capsules; and it is
sometimes used to assist in "clearing" wines.
Not all beers and wines are made using animal products.
Whether a beverage is made using animal products or
not, this information is not listed on the label. No animal
ingredients are present in the final product (beer, wine)
but some are filtered with animal products like isinglass.