Whilst you choose to be a vegetarian, it is a personal commitment yet just a personal commitment. No one will ever give you a rule book, a set of principles to sign up to or a set of guidelines to follow. It is entirely up to you what you mean by being a 'vegetarian'. There are no rules for being a vegetarian.
There are, however, different levels of vegetarianism and some vegetarians may well debate but even argue that their personal purpose of view is correct. The strictest form of vegetarianism that you are to be expected to come across is the macrobiotic diet; then there are the vegans, who do not consume any animal products including fish, eggs yet dairy products.
Then there is the majority of vegetarians who will consume fish, dairy and eggs but there are those who do not take fish, some who will drink milk and eat cheese but will not consume eggs and some who do. I even knew a vegetarian who allowed himself one bacon sandwich a month and turkey on Christmas Day (my father) and he thought of himself a vegetarian.
You could adopt a mild kind or vegetarianism at first yet then gradually stop fish yet dairy products later as your craving for animal protein assuages. Or you could jump in at the deep end by going vegan and add fish back in if you find it too difficult. You can do whatever your conscience allows you to do.
Let us suppose that you take the gentle approach to vegetarianism for a year or two and then choose to stop eating dairy products and eggs. You have now become a lacto-vegetarian. It shows a sympathy for the animals in the dairy and egg industries. Numerous hens live in dreadful battery conditions. In general, cows fare somewhat better, but they still live an abnormal life.
Ovo-vegetarianism is the name give to the diet by which you can keep eating eggs after you have given up meat, fish and dairy products. Ovo-vegetarianism is convenient if you find it difficult to get enough protein into your diet, because you can have an egg for breakfast and be vegetarian for the rest of the day.
Veganism is just about as strict as most people would like to go. Strict vegans do not eat any animal products including honey. Most people find that this is going too far and that it puts unnecessary stress on the vegetarian doing it. After all, a vegan has to know what is in everything he or she eats: each dish, loaf of bread, cake, biscuit and even slushie, in case someone has used honey as a sweetener or animal fat instead or margarine.
Most vegetarians would recommend the slow and steady approach to becoming a vegetarian, because it can get problematic at first and you do not want to put yourself off before you have even given it an opportunity to benefit you. Bear in mind that lifestyle alterations are always hard, so go easy on yourself and take your conversion into a vegetarian leisurely.
There are, however, different levels of vegetarianism and some vegetarians may well debate but even argue that their personal purpose of view is correct. The strictest form of vegetarianism that you are to be expected to come across is the macrobiotic diet; then there are the vegans, who do not consume any animal products including fish, eggs yet dairy products.
Then there is the majority of vegetarians who will consume fish, dairy and eggs but there are those who do not take fish, some who will drink milk and eat cheese but will not consume eggs and some who do. I even knew a vegetarian who allowed himself one bacon sandwich a month and turkey on Christmas Day (my father) and he thought of himself a vegetarian.
You could adopt a mild kind or vegetarianism at first yet then gradually stop fish yet dairy products later as your craving for animal protein assuages. Or you could jump in at the deep end by going vegan and add fish back in if you find it too difficult. You can do whatever your conscience allows you to do.
Let us suppose that you take the gentle approach to vegetarianism for a year or two and then choose to stop eating dairy products and eggs. You have now become a lacto-vegetarian. It shows a sympathy for the animals in the dairy and egg industries. Numerous hens live in dreadful battery conditions. In general, cows fare somewhat better, but they still live an abnormal life.
Ovo-vegetarianism is the name give to the diet by which you can keep eating eggs after you have given up meat, fish and dairy products. Ovo-vegetarianism is convenient if you find it difficult to get enough protein into your diet, because you can have an egg for breakfast and be vegetarian for the rest of the day.
Veganism is just about as strict as most people would like to go. Strict vegans do not eat any animal products including honey. Most people find that this is going too far and that it puts unnecessary stress on the vegetarian doing it. After all, a vegan has to know what is in everything he or she eats: each dish, loaf of bread, cake, biscuit and even slushie, in case someone has used honey as a sweetener or animal fat instead or margarine.
Most vegetarians would recommend the slow and steady approach to becoming a vegetarian, because it can get problematic at first and you do not want to put yourself off before you have even given it an opportunity to benefit you. Bear in mind that lifestyle alterations are always hard, so go easy on yourself and take your conversion into a vegetarian leisurely.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on several subjects, but is currently concerned with French dip sandwich recipes. If you want to know more or check out some special offers, please go to our website at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.