There are many different types of vegetarians with many different labels. For the uniniatiated, this can be very confusing. Hopefully this handy-dandy little guide will dispell some of the confusion. This may cause some disagrement, possibly some arguments, but that's half the fun isn't it? If you don't agree with these classes or have something to add please feel free to contact us.
Special thanks to Henriikka for all the terms from Microbiotics to Breatharianism.
Vegan-In-Training (VIT):A vegan who's barely starting out. VIT's are allowed to eat
bits and bobs of unvegan food, but need support of vegans to understand vegan
concepts and other things. The step between vegetarianism and veganism is
vegan-in-training-ism. (Note: This was emailed to me but it sounds like a damn fine idea!)
Red-Meat Vegetarian: There are those who call themselves 'vegetarian' yet they do no hesitate to eat fish, chicken, pork.... They are not vegetarians, they just don't eat red meat and are no more a vegetarian than I am.
Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian: Now we're getting somewhere. These eat no meat at all. They will consume eggs and dairy products to a certain extent, some more than others. This is probably the largest class of vegetarians. I still don't know what the difference between Lacto-ovo vegetarian and just plain vegetarian is.
Vegetarian: Does not eat meat. Pretty much the same as Lacto-Ovo vegetarian if you ask me.
Ovo Vegetarian: I'm sure these are out there, vegetarians that will eat eggs but not drink milk or use other dairy products. You don't see this too much.
Lacto Vegetarian: Similar to Ovo Vegetarians except they will use dairy but not eggs. Maybe a finely split hair? Possibly but there is a name for everyone.
Vegan: These people use no animal products whatsoever or only under absolute duress (such as they say there is animal products in cars and computers, some things just can't be helped.)
Meat Eater/Carnivore/Omnivore: We eat pretty much everything and anything. Not vegetarian at all, just listed for completeness.
Microbiotics: A diet from the East. All food is classified under Yin or Yang. Every veggie has a different amount of yin and yang in it and they try to measure yin and yang foods to a balanged meal.
Living foodists: They eat veggies unheated and alive (e.g. all the nuts
sprouted - it increases their nutritional value a lot !)
Raw vegetarians: They eat only unheated food, because heat destroys majority
of enzymes and vitamins in veggies. Most are raw vegans, some add raw milk and eggs to their diet.
Fruitarists: they eat only fruits, some, mono-dietists eat only one fruit
(eg. watermelon - that would be dull, wouldn't it - go to the kitchen and wonder what one could have for lunch - and end up with watermelon every time ??) I don't think these get all the necessary nutrients
Breatharianism: These claim to be vegetarians but they don't eat veggies.
They don't eat a thing but claim to live by pure air. As well as raw vegetarians and fritarists, breatharians binge eat a LOT
Pescitarians: Similar to Ovo and Lacto vegetarians, Pescitarians eschew all animals except for fish. Go figure, I always considered fish animals.
