Why Can't Some Vegetarians Eat Eggs?

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

While many people assume all vegetarians eat eggs, a 2014 study on ethical vegetarianism revealed significant discomfort with industrial farming practices, which includes the egg industry. The reasons why some vegetarians do not eat eggs are deeply rooted in ethics, religion, and personal convictions about animal welfare.

Quick Summary

This article explores the complex motivations behind why some vegetarians exclude eggs from their diet, covering ethical concerns related to commercial egg production, religious dietary laws, and health considerations. It clarifies the different types of vegetarianism, such as lacto-vegetarianism, and contrasts their choices with those of ovo-vegetarians and vegans.

Key Points

Ethical Concerns: Some vegetarians avoid eggs because they oppose the practices of the commercial egg industry, which often involves the killing of male chicks and the exploitation of laying hens.
Religious Beliefs: Certain religious traditions, particularly some forms of Hinduism and Jainism, view eggs as non-vegetarian and prohibit their consumption.
Dietary Variations: Not all vegetarians are the same; lacto-vegetarians avoid eggs, while ovo-vegetarians and lacto-ovo-vegetarians include them as part of their diet.
Animal Exploitation: Even unfertilized eggs are viewed by some as the result of exploiting a living animal, which runs contrary to their core vegetarian beliefs.
Health Considerations: Some vegetarians may choose to avoid eggs due to concerns over cholesterol, or because they can easily meet their nutritional needs with alternative plant-based protein sources.
Cultural Context: The perception of whether eggs are vegetarian can vary significantly depending on cultural background and traditional dietary definitions.

The Complexities of the Vegetarian Label

For many, the term “vegetarian” means simply abstaining from the flesh of animals. However, the modern definition has evolved into a spectrum of dietary practices, each with its own set of rules and motivations. Ovo-lacto-vegetarians consume both dairy and eggs, while ovo-vegetarians include eggs but no dairy. The group that avoids eggs, dairy, and all meat is known as vegan. But for a specific subset of vegetarians, eggs are off the table entirely. The reasoning behind this choice is far from simple and often involves a mix of ethical and cultural factors.

Ethical Concerns in the Commercial Egg Industry

At the heart of the ethical argument against egg consumption lies the industrial farming system. For many who become vegetarian for moral reasons, the practices within the commercial egg industry are in direct conflict with their core beliefs about preventing animal harm.

The Fate of Male Chicks

In commercial egg production, only female hens are needed for laying eggs. Consequently, male chicks are deemed useless by the industry and are killed, often within hours of hatching. This practice, known as chick culling, is carried out on a massive scale, even in facilities labeled "cage-free" or "free-range". For ethical vegetarians, supporting an industry that systematically destroys male chicks is unacceptable.

The Exploitation of Laying Hens

Laying hens in commercial farms are often subjected to poor living conditions. They are selectively bred to produce an unnaturally high number of eggs, which can lead to significant physical stress and health problems. After just 12 to 18 months, when their egg-laying capacity declines, these hens are sent to slaughter. This short, brutal life cycle is a major ethical concern for many vegetarians who believe animals should not be exploited for human convenience. Even if an egg is unfertilized and contains no potential for a new life, the suffering of the mother hen is a direct consequence of the industry that produces it.

Religious and Cultural Reasons

In many parts of the world, particularly India, eggs have historically been considered non-vegetarian due to religious practices.

Hinduism and Jainism

For followers of certain Hindu and Jain traditions, eggs are explicitly prohibited as they are seen as a non-vegetarian food item or because their consumption goes against the principle of 'Ahimsa' (non-violence). In India, the distinction between lacto-vegetarians (who consume dairy but no eggs) and ovo-lacto vegetarians is common, with many vegetarian households avoiding eggs entirely.

Health-Related Considerations

While often celebrated for their nutritional value, eggs are not always a desirable food for all vegetarians, particularly for health-conscious individuals.

Cholesterol Concerns

Historically, eggs were viewed with caution due to their high cholesterol content, although modern studies present a mixed picture. For some, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions, avoiding eggs may still be a health-motivated decision.

High Protein Alternatives

Many vegetarians find that they can meet their protein needs through a variety of plant-based sources without relying on eggs. The availability of fortified plant-based foods and supplements also means that key nutrients like Vitamin B12, often found in eggs, can be obtained elsewhere, removing a primary nutritional reason for including eggs in the diet.

The Difference Between Vegetarian Subtypes and Vegans

Understanding the different dietary labels is crucial for grasping why some vegetarians exclude eggs.

Comparison of Common Plant-Based Diets


Dietary Type	Excludes Meat?	Excludes Fish?	Excludes Dairy?	Excludes Eggs?	Key Characteristic
Vegan	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Avoids all animal products.
Lacto-Vegetarian	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Includes dairy, avoids eggs.
Ovo-Vegetarian	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Includes eggs, avoids dairy.
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian	Yes	Yes	No	No	Includes dairy and eggs.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether a vegetarian eats eggs is a personal choice, influenced by a blend of ethical, religious, and health considerations. While the act of eating an unfertilized egg may not directly involve the consumption of animal flesh, the modern industrial process behind egg production creates a complex moral dilemma for those committed to reducing animal suffering. For some, the distinction between a lacto-vegetarian who avoids eggs and an ovo-vegetarian who eats them is a crucial part of their identity. The proliferation of accessible plant-based alternatives and increased awareness of factory farming practices have given many vegetarians more reason and resources to eliminate eggs from their diets entirely. For more information on the cruel realities of the egg industry, The Humane League offers an in-depth report on commercial egg production.

Frequently Asked Questions

A lacto-vegetarian consumes dairy products but avoids eggs, while an ovo-vegetarian consumes eggs but avoids all dairy products.

Yes, some vegetarians are opposed to eating fertilized eggs due to their potential to become an animal. However, most commercially produced grocery store eggs are unfertilized.

Male chicks are systematically culled because they cannot lay eggs and are not the same breed as chickens raised for meat, making them unprofitable for the egg industry.

Yes, vegetarians can obtain sufficient protein from a wide variety of plant-based sources, including legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Many ethical vegetarians still object to cage-free eggs because the industry often still engages in practices like male chick culling and the premature slaughter of hens.

In some religious traditions, such as certain branches of Hinduism and Jainism, eggs are considered a non-vegetarian food item and are forbidden as part of a vegetarian diet.

Yes, individuals who avoid all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, are called vegans.