Ovo-lacto vegetarianism

An ovo-lacto vegetarian (or lacto-ovo vegetarian) is a vegetarian who does not eat meat, but does consume some animal products such as eggs and dairy. A typical ovo-lacto vegetarian diet can include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, flowers, herbs, fungi, milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir and eggs.^[1]

Etymology

The terminology stems from the Latin lac meaning "milk" (as in 'lactation'), ovum meaning "egg", and the English term vegetarian, so as giving the definition of a vegetarian diet containing milk and eggs.

Diet

In the Western World, ovo-lacto vegetarians are the most common type of vegetarian.^[2] Generally speaking, when one uses the term vegetarian an ovo-lacto vegetarian is assumed.^[3] Ovo-lacto vegetarians are often well-catered to in restaurants and shops, especially in some parts of Europe and metropolitan cities in North America.

Religion

In Jainism, all individuals eat only food materials derived from plant sources and milk/milk products, and are therefore lacto vegetarians. Jainism prohibits causing harm to any animal, even eggs, as hurting a living being is against the values of Jainism.

In Hinduism, many individuals are either raised as ovo-lacto vegetarians or lacto vegetarians.^[4]

The Bible Christian Church was a Christian vegetarian sect founded by William Cowherd in 1809.^[5] Cowherd was one of the philosophical forerunners of the Vegetarian Society founded in 1847. The Bible Christian Church promoted the use of eggs, dairy and honey as God's given food per "the promised land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).^[6]

Many Seventh-day Adventist followers are lacto-ovo vegetarians. For over 130 years, Seventh-day Adventists have recommended a vegetarian diet which may include milk products and eggs.^[7]

See also

• Lacto vegetarianism
• Ovo vegetarianism
• Sentient foods
• Veganism
• List of butter dishes
• List of cheese dishes
• List of dairy products
• List of vegetable dishes
• List of vegetarian restaurants
• List of egg dishes

References

1. http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Factsheets/Guidelines-Lacto-Ovo.aspx
2. "Top 7 Types of Vegetarians".
3. "Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo vegetarian)".
4. Surveys studying food habits of Indians include: "Diary and poultry sector growth in India", Quote:"An analysis of consumption data originating from National Sample Survey (NSS) shows that 42 percent of households are vegetarian, in that they never eat fish, meat or eggs. The remaining 58 percent of households are less strict vegetarians or non-vegetarians." "Indian consumer patterns" and "Agri reform in India". Results indicate that Indians who eat meat do so infrequently with less than 30% consuming non-vegetarian foods regularly, although the reasons may be economical. Archived June 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
5. Julia Twigg (1981). "The Bible Christian Church". International Vegetarian Union.
6. John Davis. "A History of Veganism from 1806" (PDF). International Vegetarian Union.
7. "''A Position Statement on The Vegetarian Diet Adapted from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Nutrition Council''". SDADA. Retrieved 2011-10-03.