What is it called when a person eats everything?: Unpacking the Omnivore Diet

October 20, 2025 •

4 min read

From an evolutionary perspective, humans have developed as omnivores, a flexible dietary strategy that has enabled our species to thrive in diverse environments. So, what is it called when a person eats everything? The answer lies in understanding the omnivore diet and its unique characteristics.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the omnivorous diet, highlighting the balanced intake of both plant and animal-based foods. It details nutritional benefits, potential risks, and best practices for healthy eating and sourcing food ethically.

Key Points

Definition: An omnivore is a person or animal that eats both plant and animal matter to obtain nutrients.
Balanced Nutrition: A healthy omnivore diet includes a diverse range of foods, combining the complete proteins and vitamins from animal products with the fiber and nutrients from plants.
Health Risks: Consuming excessive processed meat and high-fat animal products can increase health risks like cardiovascular disease.
Flexibility: The omnivorous diet offers high adaptability and food security, making it easier to adjust to available food sources.
Sustainability: Ethical omnivores can reduce their environmental impact by moderating red meat intake and choosing sustainably and ethically sourced animal products.
Healthful Approach: A "plant-forward" omnivore diet, prioritizing plant-based foods while including lean meats, is a highly recommended approach.

Defining the Omnivore: The 'All-Eater'

The term omnivore comes from the Latin words omnis, meaning "all" or "everything," and vorare, meaning "to devour". In nutritional science, an omnivore is an animal or person who eats both plants and animals to meet their dietary needs. Unlike herbivores, which consume only plants, or carnivores, which eat only meat, omnivores have a more flexible and opportunistic diet, allowing them to adapt to a wide variety of food sources.

Humans are physiologically considered omnivores, with dental and digestive systems adapted to process both plant and animal matter efficiently. Our ancestors' ability to utilize diverse food sources played a crucial role in our evolutionary success and widespread settlement across the globe.

The Nutritional Advantages of an Omnivorous Diet

A well-rounded omnivorous diet can provide a comprehensive array of nutrients that support optimal health. By combining the best of both plant and animal foods, individuals can easily meet their dietary needs.

From Animal-Based Foods:

Complete Protein: Animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy are considered complete proteins, containing all the essential amino acids the body needs for tissue repair and growth.
Vitamin B12: This essential vitamin is naturally found in significant amounts almost exclusively in animal products. It is crucial for nerve function and red blood cell production.
Bioavailable Iron and Zinc: The body more readily absorbs the heme iron found in meat than the non-heme iron from plant sources. Animal products also offer higher bioavailability of zinc.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty fish are a rich source of EPA and DHA, omega-3 fatty acids vital for brain health and reducing inflammation.

From Plant-Based Foods:

Dietary Fiber: Found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fiber is essential for digestive health, helps lower cholesterol, and can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Phytonutrients and Antioxidants: Plants contain various compounds that provide protective health benefits, such as fighting inflammation and cellular damage.
Diverse Vitamins and Minerals: Plant foods contribute a wide range of vitamins, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and folate, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Health Risks and Considerations for the Omnivore

While offering many benefits, a poorly balanced omnivorous diet can lead to certain health issues. It's important to be mindful of both the quality and quantity of food consumed.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Diets high in processed meats, saturated fats, and cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions.
Environmental Impact: High consumption of animal products, particularly red meat, has a significant environmental footprint due to land use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage. Ethical omnivores can reduce this impact by moderating consumption and choosing sustainably sourced options.
Poor Diet Quality: The flexibility of an omnivorous diet doesn't guarantee a healthy one. An omnivore who primarily eats processed foods, refined grains, and sugary drinks will face health issues, just like anyone on an unhealthy diet.

Balancing Your Omnivorous Diet for Optimal Health

Creating a healthy omnivorous diet is about more than just eating both plants and animals; it's about balance and moderation. Adopting a "plant-forward" approach can help ensure you receive a wide range of nutrients while mitigating potential health risks.

Best Practices for a Healthy Omnivore:

Prioritize whole foods: Base your meals on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These provide essential fiber and micronutrients.
Choose lean protein sources: Incorporate lean meats, fish, poultry, and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils.
Moderate red and processed meats: Limit red meat consumption to reduce the intake of saturated fat and sodium. Opt for more plant-based alternatives.
Include healthy fats: Get healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, seeds, and fish to support brain and heart health.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help with digestion and overall bodily functions.

Comparison of Dietary Patterns


Feature	Omnivore	Herbivore	Carnivore
Primary Food Source	Both plants and animals	Plants only	Animals only
Dental Adaptations	Combination of sharp incisors/canines (for meat) and flat molars (for plants).	Broad, flat molars for grinding plant matter and large incisors for cutting.	Long, sharp canines for tearing flesh; limited molars.
Digestive System	Moderately acidic stomach and average-length intestine; less specialized than carnivores or herbivores.	Long, complex digestive tracts designed to ferment and break down cellulose from plants.	Highly acidic stomach for breaking down meat; shorter, less complex digestive system.
Key Examples	Humans, pigs, bears, chickens.	Cows, deer, rabbits.	Lions, tigers, wolves.

Conclusion

To answer the question, a person who eats everything is called an omnivore. While a poor omnivorous diet carries risks, a balanced and mindful approach can provide the greatest nutritional benefits and flexibility. By embracing a plant-forward strategy and making conscious choices about food sourcing, omnivores can enjoy a diverse range of foods while promoting their own health and considering environmental sustainability. Ultimately, the best diet is one that is well-planned, moderate, and adapted to individual needs and values. For more detailed information on dietary choices, consult resources from organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or the American Heart Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, humans are biologically and physiologically considered omnivores. Our teeth and digestive systems are adapted for consuming and processing both plant and animal matter.

The main benefit is dietary flexibility. Omnivores can thrive in a wide range of environments and adapt to different food availabilities by eating whatever is most plentiful.

Many animal species are omnivores, including bears, pigs, chickens, raccoons, and many types of birds and fish.

Not necessarily. Both omnivorous and plant-based diets can be healthy, depending on how they are structured. A balanced omnivore diet can provide all necessary nutrients, including harder-to-get ones like Vitamin B12, while a poorly planned omnivorous diet can increase health risks.

While omnivores can typically get all necessary nutrients, a healthy diet should focus on balancing macronutrients. Key nutrients include protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron (especially bioavailable heme iron from meat), Vitamin B12, fiber, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals from diverse plant sources.

To eat more sustainably, an omnivore can reduce their overall consumption of red meat, increase their intake of plant-based proteins, and choose ethically and locally sourced animal products. Reducing food waste also significantly helps.

The term 'omnivore' describes the physiological capability to eat both plants and animals. 'Flexitarian' describes a behavioral dietary pattern where a person primarily eats a plant-based diet but occasionally consumes meat or other animal products.