What do pollo vegetarians not eat?

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

Originating from the Spanish word 'pollo' for chicken, the pollo-vegetarian diet is a type of semi-vegetarianism that strategically excludes certain meats. What do pollo vegetarians not eat, and how does this diet differ from full vegetarianism or veganism?

Quick Summary

Pollo vegetarians primarily avoid red meat, pork, and often fish, while still consuming poultry. This semi-vegetarian approach emphasizes plant-based foods alongside chicken, turkey, and duck.

Key Points

Red Meat and Pork Excluded: Pollo vegetarians do not consume red meat like beef or lamb, or pork products.
Poultry is Permitted: The diet centers around eating chicken, turkey, and other fowl, alongside plant-based foods.
Fish is Optional: While most avoid fish and shellfish, some "pesce-pollotarians" include it.
Dairy and Eggs Vary: Individual practices differ regarding the consumption of eggs and dairy products.
Semi-Vegetarian Classification: A pollo-vegetarian diet is a type of semi-vegetarianism, not a strict vegetarian diet.
Focus on Plant-Based Foods: While including poultry, the diet's emphasis remains on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Potential for Health Benefits: Reducing red meat intake is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

What is a Pollo-Vegetarian Diet?

Often referred to as a pollotarian diet, this eating pattern is a form of semi-vegetarianism that focuses on a plant-based diet with the inclusion of poultry. The term itself combines 'pollo,' the Spanish word for chicken, with 'vegetarianism,' accurately describing the diet's core components. Individuals may adopt this diet for various reasons, including health benefits associated with reducing red meat consumption, environmental concerns, or as a transitional step toward a more restrictive plant-based diet. A well-planned pollotarian diet can offer significant health advantages, such as lower intake of saturated fats and reduced risk of chronic conditions, while still providing essential nutrients found in poultry.

Meats Excluded by Pollo Vegetarians

The defining characteristic of a pollotarian diet is the exclusion of all animal meats except for poultry. This means a pollo-vegetarian actively avoids:

Red Meat: This includes all forms of beef, such as steak and ground beef, as well as lamb, goat, and game meats like venison and bison.
Pork Products: All pork products are excluded, including bacon, ham, sausages, and pork chops.
Fish and Shellfish: In the strictest sense, pollo-vegetarians do not eat fish or shellfish. Those who do include seafood are technically known as pesce-pollotarians, which is a separate dietary category.

Included Foods for Pollo Vegetarians

Beyond the specific animal product restrictions, a pollotarian diet is rich in diverse and nutritious food groups. The diet emphasizes a wide variety of plant-based foods while allowing poultry in moderation.

Poultry: The primary non-plant protein source. This includes chicken, turkey, and duck.
Fruits and Vegetables: All fruits and vegetables are included, forming the core of the diet. This provides essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Grains and Legumes: Whole grains like quinoa, oats, and millet, along with legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, are encouraged for protein and fiber.
Nuts and Seeds: A variety of nuts, nut butters, and seeds offer healthy fats and additional protein.
Dairy and Eggs: The consumption of dairy products and eggs can vary among pollo-vegetarians. Some may include them (as lacto-ovo pollotarians), while others may exclude them to be closer to a vegan diet.

Pollo-Vegetarianism vs. Other Diets

Understanding where the pollo-vegetarian diet fits within the spectrum of plant-focused eating requires a comparison with other common dietary patterns. This table highlights the key differences.


Feature	Pollo-Vegetarian	Vegetarian (Lacto-ovo)	Pescatarian	Vegan
Red Meat	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded
Pork	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded
Poultry	Included	Excluded	Excluded	Excluded
Fish/Seafood	Typically Excluded	Excluded	Included	Excluded
Dairy	Optional	Included	Optional	Excluded
Eggs	Optional	Included	Optional	Excluded
Primary Focus	Plants + Poultry	Plants + Dairy/Eggs	Plants + Fish	Plants Only

Health and Environmental Considerations

One of the main drivers for adopting this diet is the potential health impact. Substituting red and processed meats with leaner poultry and a higher intake of plant-based foods is associated with reduced risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. On the environmental front, producing poultry is generally considered to be less resource-intensive and has a lower carbon footprint compared to producing red meat.

However, potential nutritional deficiencies should also be considered. While poultry is a good source of iron and zinc, they are better absorbed from red meat. Pollo-vegetarians may also need to pay attention to their vitamin B12, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acid intake, especially if they exclude dairy, eggs, and fish. A balanced diet and strategic food choices or supplements can help mitigate these risks.

Conclusion

In summary, a pollo-vegetarian diet excludes all red meat and pork, and most often fish and shellfish, while allowing poultry. It serves as a semi-vegetarian eating plan, emphasizing a diet rich in plant-based foods for health and environmental benefits. For those seeking to reduce their consumption of red meat, it offers a sustainable and potentially healthier alternative without fully committing to a meat-free lifestyle. This approach allows for dietary flexibility while still aligning with many health-conscious and eco-friendly principles.

For more information on the different categories of vegetarianism and semi-vegetarianism, explore additional resources online, such as this helpful guide: What Is a Pollotarian Diet? Benefits, Food Lists, and More.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the individual's preference. Some pollo-vegetarians include eggs and dairy, while others do not. This variation is why some follow a 'lacto-ovo pollo-vegetarian' diet.

No, a pollo-vegetarian is not a true vegetarian. A true vegetarian avoids all meat, poultry, and fish. The pollotarian diet is classified as a semi-vegetarian diet because it still includes meat in the form of poultry.

Typically, pollo-vegetarians do not eat fish or shellfish. The inclusion of fish moves the diet into a different category, sometimes called 'pesce-pollotarianism'.

People choose this diet for various reasons, including to improve their health by reducing red meat intake, for environmental benefits, or as a transitional step towards a fully vegetarian or vegan diet.

The main difference is the type of animal protein consumed. A pollo-vegetarian eats poultry but no fish, while a pescatarian eats fish and seafood but no poultry or red meat.

Yes, it can be very healthy. A well-planned pollo-vegetarian diet, rich in plant-based foods, can provide health benefits like reduced heart disease risk. However, it's important to be mindful of potential nutrient deficiencies like vitamin B12 and omega-3s.

A semi-vegetarian diet is a largely plant-based diet that occasionally includes some animal products. It is a broader term that encompasses diets like pollo-vegetarianism, pescatarianism, and flexitarianism.