Understanding Plant-based Diets
Each year around 76 million people world-wide will choose to take up a vegetarian diet2 and nearly 2.5 million Australians are currently following a diet that is all or almost all, plant-based or vegetarian .
There are many different approaches to plant-based eating, from people who simply want to eat meat less often to people who consume no animal products or by-products of any kind. The range of options that exist for those looking to embrace plant-based eating includes:
Flexitarian:
Actively chooses to eat less meat, whether that means reducing the amount on the plate or avoiding meat on certain days of the week such as those who choose to follow the Meat Free Monday’s movement.
Vegetarian:
Don’t eat meat of any kind, but may consume animal by-products
• Lacto-ovo vegetarians: eat dairy products and eggs, but not meat
• Ovo-vegetarians: eat eggs, but not dairy foods or meat
• Lacto-vegetarians: eat dairy foods, but not eggs or meat
Vegan:
Don’t eat meat, eggs, dairy foods, or any other ingredients created from or produced by animals, including honey and insects. This often also extends to other aspects of their life, where they also avoid toiletries, clothing and furnishings derived from animals.
