Tag: Ovo vegetarianism

According to research, vegetarian diets can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. When people hear the term, they may wonder, 'what is a vegetarian who only eats eggs?' This specific eating pattern is called ovo-vegetarianism and centers around a plant-based diet supplemented by eggs.

According to a 2024 Harvard Health article, several distinct dietary labels exist for people who avoid certain animal products, including eggs. To understand what is someone who doesn't eat eggs called, it is important to distinguish between a few related, but different, dietary patterns. The most common terms are 'lacto-vegetarian' and 'vegan,' but the right label depends on their reasons for avoidance.

By definition, a vegetarian diet excludes animal flesh, and according to this classification, eggs are not considered meat. This fact leads to the most straightforward answer to the question, "Is egg ok for vegetarians?"—yes, for many, but not for all. The inclusion of eggs depends on the specific type of vegetarian diet one follows, with ovo-vegetarians and lacto-ovo-vegetarians being the most common groups who consume them.

While vegetarianism is broadly defined as a diet free of animal flesh, a significant proportion of vegetarians, known as ovo-lacto vegetarians, include eggs in their diet. This often leads to confusion, with a key question being, **can vegetarians eat egg sandwiches?** The answer depends entirely on the specific type of vegetarian diet being followed.

Over 75% of adults worldwide have a reduced ability to digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy, making a dairy-free diet a necessity for many. This is one of several reasons why some people eat eggs but not dairy products, a dietary pattern known as ovo-vegetarianism.