I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian, i.e. I eat eggs and dairy products, but not meat.
That's interesting, are there any health benefits to such a diet?
As it's a diet which is plant based, i.e. fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese etc. it tends to be healthier for you. Of course, like any diet you have to get the right balance of nutrients etc.
That seems reasonable, do you know anything about the history of vegetarianism?
Modern vegetarianism has its beginnings in ancient India and Greece. No wonder those countries have wonderful vegetarian dishes!
That is very true, and makes a lot of sense. Are there religious connections in vegetarianism in India?
Most Indian food is influenced by religion, especially Hindu traditions.
Ah, of course. I try to follow a Mediterranean diet, have you heard of it?
Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is a diet inspired by the eating habits of Greece and Italy. The principal aspects of this diet include proportionally high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of non-fish meat products.
There is some evidence that the Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of heart disease and early death, although a 2019 review
of fruit.
- Raw veganism: vegan diet in which food is uncooked and sometimes dehydrated.
- Vegetarianism: diet of vegetables, legumes, fruit, nuts, and grains, that may include eggs and dairy, but no meat.
- Ovo-lacto vegetarianism: includes dairy and eggs
- Ovo vegetarianism: includes eggs but no dairy
- Lacto vegetarianism: includes dairy but no eggs
- Semi-vegetarianism: mostly vegetarian diet with occasional inclusion of meat and/or poultry.
- Macrobiotic diet: