What a vegetarian is A vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, poultry, fish or seafood, that is, any food that involves the killing or abuse of animals. All other foods can be eaten.

Vegetarianism, as a philosophy and way of eating, emerged many centuries ago. The Pythagoreans in ancient Greece were vegetarians. The very name "vegetarian" came from England in the 19th century. It was there that people who refused to "eat killed animals" formed a society. Then a similar trend appeared in the United States. In the community of vegetarians joined the famous politicians, scientists, creative people. At the heart of vegetarianism is not only a way of eating, but also outlook, a special attitude to life and animals.

People who come to this option of eating now, are divided:

-into those who have given up meat voluntarily or involuntarily to improve their health; -those who are driven by a concern for nature and animals; -Those who do so because of religious traditions and the family's food culture.

Types of vegetarianism

A vegetarian diet consists of large quantities of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, nuts and seeds. Some currents allow the consumption of foods produced by animals: milk, eggs and honey. This is the most common type of vegetarian. It is called lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians do not eat meat or eggs, but consume dairy products. Ovo-vegetarians forbid all animal products except eggs.

What is a vegan?

Veganism, as a separate trend, was formed in the mid-twentieth century and is derived from vegetarianism. What distinguishes vegans from vegetarians is their complete rejection of animal food and animal products. For vegans it is not only a food system, but also a way of life. In doing so, vegans not only forbid themselves products that are harmful to animals, but they also choose clothing, cosmetics and household items accordingly. They should not contain any products made from animal parts. That means that a vegan will never wear a leather coat or a wool jumper. He won't buy an ivory vase. He will not use cosmetics containing beeswax, snail slime or snake venom. Vegans are also against animals being kept in zoos or circuses.

Types of veganism

Vegans are divided into: -frugivores - that is, those who eat only raw plant foods; -frugarians - those who eat only fruit from trees. Vegetarianism and veganism are widespread in the culture of some Indian tribes. They include those who eat only the tops, that is, those parts of plants that are above the ground. And those who eat only the roots. Some Frugarians eat only fallen fruits: it is forbidden to pick fruit by hand from the tree. Vegetarianism in these tribes is due to the religion and tradition that the people have followed for centuries.

Impact on health Vegetarian and vegan diets have some health benefits: -help reduce weight; -Detoxify and detoxify your body and help clear your skin; improve intestinal microflora and reduce the risk of colon cancer; -Reduce the risk of diabetes; -reduce the risk of heart and vascular disease.

But sugar, pasta, white bread, sweets, and the abuse of vegetable oils, which are also part of a vegetarian diet, can lead to all these diseases. Therefore, if you want to get the therapeutic effect of a diet, you should be moderate in the intake of these products. The negative effects of the diet include deficiencies in iron, vitamins D and B12, Omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, which are very low in plant proteins.