Understanding if and Why: Do Vegetarians Eat Milk and Cream?

November 9, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 5% of people in the United States identify as vegetarian. One of the most common questions about this lifestyle is whether or not do vegetarians eat milk and cream, and the answer is that it depends on the specific type of vegetarian diet they follow.

Quick Summary

The consumption of milk and cream by vegetarians varies based on their specific dietary subset, such as lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, or vegan. This article details the distinctions between these diets regarding dairy products, nutritional considerations, and popular plant-based alternatives.

Key Points

Diet Type Matters: Whether a vegetarian eats milk and cream depends on their specific diet; lacto-vegetarians and lacto-ovo-vegetarians do, while ovo-vegetarians and vegans do not.
Lacto-Vegetarian Dairy: This diet includes milk, cream, and other dairy products but excludes eggs, meat, and fish.
Vegan Dairy Avoidance: Vegans exclude all animal-derived products, including dairy and eggs, often for ethical, environmental, and health reasons.
Cheese and Rennet: Many cheeses are vegetarian, but some traditional varieties use animal rennet and are not. It is essential to check labels for microbial or vegetarian rennet.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Vegans and ovo-vegetarians rely on a wide range of plant-based milks and creams, such as soy, almond, oat, and coconut, to replace dairy in their diets.
Nutritional Planning: Proper nutritional planning is crucial for all vegetarian diets to ensure adequate intake of nutrients like calcium, protein, and B12, especially when restricting certain animal products.

Deciphering the Different Types of Vegetarian Diets

Vegetarianism is a broad term encompassing various dietary patterns that exclude meat, poultry, and fish. However, the inclusion of animal byproducts like dairy and eggs distinguishes these different types. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify whether a vegetarian eats milk and cream.

Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarianism

This is a common form of vegetarianism where individuals avoid meat, poultry, and fish but consume both dairy products (lacto) and eggs (ovo). Milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, and butter are included in this diet.

Lacto-Vegetarianism

Lacto-vegetarians include milk and dairy products in their diet but exclude eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. This diet is prevalent in some cultures and religious traditions. For lacto-vegetarians, milk and cream are sources of essential nutrients.

Ovo-Vegetarianism

Ovo-vegetarians consume eggs but exclude all dairy products, as well as meat, poultry, and fish. Individuals following this diet would seek non-dairy alternatives for nutrients found in milk and cream.

Veganism

Veganism is a stricter form that excludes all animal-derived products, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and often honey. Vegans do not consume milk and cream, often due to ethical, environmental, or health concerns.

The Role of Dairy for Lacto-Vegetarians

Dairy products are a significant part of lacto-vegetarian and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, providing flavor, texture, and essential nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. However, vegetarians consuming dairy should be aware that some traditional cheeses use animal-derived rennet and may not be suitable. Many cheeses now use microbial or plant-based rennet and are vegetarian-friendly, so checking labels is recommended.

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives for Vegans and Ovo-Vegetarians

For those avoiding dairy, numerous plant-based alternatives are available. Popular milk alternatives include almond milk (lower in calories), oat milk (creamy texture), soy milk (protein-rich), coconut milk (versatile for cooking), and cashew milk (rich flavor). {Link: plantifulpalate.com https://www.plantifulpalate.com/post/lacto-vegetarian-exploring-the-diet-and-delightful-choices}.

Making Informed Choices: A Comparison of Vegetarian and Vegan Dairy Consumption

This table outlines the key differences in dairy consumption among popular dietary categories. {Link: plantifulpalate.com https://www.plantifulpalate.com/post/lacto-vegetarian-exploring-the-diet-and-delightful-choices}.


Feature	Lacto-Vegetarian	Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian	Ovo-Vegetarian	Vegan
Meat/Poultry/Fish	No	No	No	No
Milk and Cream	Yes	Yes	No	No
Eggs	No	Yes	Yes	No
Other Dairy (Cheese, Yogurt)	Yes (with vegetarian rennet)	Yes (with vegetarian rennet)	No	No
Key Nutrient Sources	Dairy, grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables	Dairy, eggs, grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables	Eggs, grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, fortified foods	Grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, fortified foods
Primary Motivation	Often religious or ethical, plus health	Often health, ethical, or environmental	Ethical or health	Ethical, environmental, and health

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether do vegetarians eat milk and cream depends on their diet type; lacto-ovo-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians consume dairy, while ovo-vegetarians and vegans do not. Plant-based alternatives provide options for those avoiding dairy. Understanding these distinctions is important when considering vegetarian diets.

For a deeper dive into the specific nutritional benefits of a vegetarian diet, you can explore resources like Healthline's guide to vegetarian diets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is that vegans avoid all animal products and byproducts, including dairy and eggs, while many vegetarians (lacto-ovo-vegetarians and lacto-vegetarians) consume dairy.

No, vegetarian cheese, even if made with microbial rennet, contains milk and is therefore not suitable for a vegan diet.

Lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is a diet where individuals do not eat meat, poultry, or fish but do consume dairy products (lacto) and eggs (ovo).

Vegans can get calcium from fortified plant-based milks and cereals, as well as plant sources like leafy greens, tofu, and legumes.

Effective plant-based heavy cream substitutes can be made from full-fat canned coconut milk, cashew milk, or a mixture of a plant-based milk with a thickener like cornstarch or vegan butter.

No, only lacto-ovo-vegetarians and ovo-vegetarians eat eggs. Lacto-vegetarians do not include eggs in their diet.

Some stricter vegetarians avoid certain types of cheese if it is made using animal rennet, an enzyme from the stomach lining of slaughtered animals. It is important to check for vegetarian-friendly rennet.