Vegetarian diets, with the exception of semi-vegetarian diets, exclude meat, poultry and fish. Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets and lacto-vegetarian diets include some animal products other than meat. A balanced vegetarian eating plan provides a healthy way to get all the nutrients needed in your diet, as well as decreased fat and cholesterol intake, according to the American Heart Association.
Identification
A lacto-vegetarian diet consists of lactic and vegetable products, according to Medline Plus. The difference between the lacto-vegetarian diet and the lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is that the former does not include eggs. A vegetarian diet that excludes all animal products, including eggs and dairy products, is called the vegan diet.
Lacto-vegetarians sometimes include all the dairy products in their diet, but they may also leave aside some specific products like cheese and butter. Any inclusion or exclusion of dairy products is more a matter of preference than a prescription of Lacto-vegetarian diets.
Misconceptions
Some think that essential nutrients are lacking in vegetarian diets, however, according to the US Department of Agriculture, vegetarians who make use of a good variety of foods can easily reach nutritional recommendations.
In the "New Diet Guide for North American Vegetarians," based on the position of the American Association of Dieticians and Dietitians of Canada on vegetarian diets, shows a food pyramid to identify balanced nutrition and encourage variety. Lacto-vegetarians can easily find protein needs for a healthy diet.
Characteristics
Vegetarians, including lacto-vegetarians should seek to include sources of calcium, iron, protein, vitamin B12 and vitamin D in their diet, according to the American Dietetic Association. If you eat a variety of dairy products, vegetables, nuts, vegetables, dried fruits, fortified cereals and juices, you should have the nutrition you need. Including dark green vegetables, potatoes with peel, seeds, dried beans and whole grains in your diet regularly.
Exclusions
Since on a lacto-vegetarian diet you do not eat eggs, read the labels to see if meat substitutes like vegetarian burgers come into your plan. For many times, vegetarian burgers, sausage and other meat analogues contain eggs. For cooking, you can buy an egg substitute at a natural products store. You can also sometimes take the egg out of a recipe without having to replace it. Pancakes, for example, can be made without eggs.
Vegetarians usually exclude products containing gelatin, which is a derivative of the animal's collagen. Some products contain a vegetarian gelatine derived from Agar-Agar, an extract of kelp. Read the label to be sure.
Considerations
The benefits of a lacto-vegetarian diet include health, leaf-based nutrition, and increased health. However, following a vegetarian diet does not guarantee that you will have better health and better eating habits. For best results, focus on balanced nutrition and avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, as well as any healthy eating plan. Without proper planning, you may end up not meeting your nutritional needs and eating either too little or too much calorie.
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