Definitions

The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as; "Someone living on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with or without the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish* or slaughter by-products"  

*Shellfish are typically ‘a sea animal covered with a shell’. We take shellfish to mean;

• Crustaceans (hard external shell) Large – e.g. lobsters, crayfish, crabs, small – e.g. prawns, shrimps  
• Molluscs (most are protected by a shell) E.g. mussels, oysters, winkles, limpets, clams, etc. Also includes cephalopods such as cuttlefish, squid, octopus. 

There are different types of Vegetarian;

• Lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat both dairy products and eggs, this is the most common type of vegetarian diet.

• Lacto-vegetarians eat dairy products but avoid eggs.

• Vegans do not eat any products which are derived from animals, i.e. no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.

Many vegetarians eating eggs will eat only free-range, this is due to welfare objections to the intensive farming of hens. Through its Vegsoc Approved trade mark, the Vegetarian Society only endorses products containing free-range eggs. Some individuals may be vegetarian for religious reasons. Jains for example, are either lacto-vegetarian or vegan, while some Hindus and Bhuddists may chose to practice a vegetarian diet.

Any questions regarding this information sheet please contact info@vegsoc.org | Last updated June 2010