Good Nature, Vegetarian
Living
What do you mean by Vegetarian?
Hello,
hello!
As this is the first article in the Good Nature column, I’d like to
take a minute to introduce myself just a little. I’ve been a
“Northerner” for almost my entire life, I’m 20-something, and I’ve
been vegetarian for approximately 6 months.
I made an attempt at switching to a vegetarian diet once a number of
years ago, but I didn’t quite complete the transition. In January of
this year (2003), I simply went “cold tofu”, as some in the veggie
community say. One week I was still eating chicken, the next week I
realized I had gone days without any meat and I just didn’t turn
back. I will undoubtedly discuss my reasons for making this change
in a future article, in which I will also attempt to briefly cover
the basic reasons many make this choice.
Some would say that my “sudden stop” style may not be the easiest or
smartest way of making the change in your diet, but it worked for
me. Of course, you could also look at the previous year of my life
as my transition period - I had drastically cut back on my meat
intake, eating only chicken and tuna, and I had started increasing
my intake of soy products, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
So, making that “leap” into a no-meat diet overnight wasn’t that
drastic, after all.
Since I am a relatively new vegetarian, I am still in the process of
learning, figuring out my own diet and finding the resources
available to me.
I feel that this gives me a unique perspective. I am writing this
column as someone who is still required to be very much aware of
what I eat and what I buy at the grocery store. I am constantly on
the lookout for new recipes, or new foods I haven’t tried, and new
restaurants in my area that have vegetarian options. Hopefully, I
can also approach my column with a degree of understanding, as
someone who can relate somewhat to both sides of the ongoing
“debate” over a meat-free diet. Because of all this, I hope that I
can be of some use to new and longtime vegetarians, as well as
omnivores who have considered the vegetarian diet for themselves or
simply know someone who has already made that choice. Basically,
this column is for anyone who simply appreciates another
perspective, new information, etc.
With that in mind, I will finally get to the point of this first
article.
I believe the best way to start this column would be with a
dictionary of sorts. This, along with certain future articles may,
of course, be unneeded for those of you who have already joined the
vegetarian ranks. However, it’s a good basis for further articles,
and possibly a quick refresher for those of us who “already know
that stuff”.
The term “vegetarian” is a sort of blanket term. There are multiple
variations on the basic vegetarian diet, and there are varying
opinions on what “should” be considered vegetarian. Many disagree
about what each category entails, and which should be called what. I
will attempt to avoid upsetting too many people, and keep my
definitions as simple as possible.
These are the basic terms:
Vegetarian:
A diet composed primarily or wholly of vegetables, grains,
fruits, nuts, and seeds, with or without eggs and dairy products.
Someone who avoids ingesting the “flesh of an animal”, including
fish and birds.
This term is typically used to quickly and simply cover all the
variations.
Strict Vegetarian:
Generally viewed to be the same as vegetarian, but with the
exclusion of eggs and dairy products from the diet.
Vegan:
A diet that consists wholly of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts,
and seeds.
The practice of using no products derived from animals, as fur or
leather. Someone who eats no animal products at all.
Beyond that, it gets more complicated, specific, and generally
inspires a bit more debate.
Lacto-vegetarian:
Vegetarian who continues to drink milk, and/or use other dairy
products.
Ovo-vegetarian:
Vegetarian who continues to use eggs.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian:
Fittingly, a vegetarian who continues to use both eggs and dairy
products.
Some
feel that these prefixes are unnecessary and only add to the
confusion surrounding the vegetarian diet. Others feel they are
necessary and helpful, as there seems to be enough confusion
already.
Pescetarian:
While not technically vegetarian, per se, a pescetarian is someone
who has adopted much of the vegetarian diet, but with the inclusion
of fish and seafood.
Pollo-vegetarian:
Similar to pescetarian, one who has cut out all meat products except
chicken, or possibly other poultry.
These
terms are often a cause of contention with the vegetarian community.
It seems that while “we” vegetarians can see the benefits of cutting
back and changing your diet - and appreciate this effort - often
“we” take issue with the use of the term “vegetarian” for people who
continue to eat meat.
Partial, or semi-vegetarian:
Someone who adopts more aspects of a vegetarian lifestyle; i.e.,
increasing their intake of fresh produce and grains, decreasing the
number of meals that include meat, etc.
As
with any other community or group of people connected through some
similar goal or opinion, there is always disagreement and
differences. All who call themselves vegetarian may not accept these
definitions I have given, and others may accept terms I have not
listed.
My hope is simply that this list will have given you a basic
understanding of the term vegetarian. You are, of course, left to
make your own conclusions as to which terms are acceptable and which
are not. In deciding to become vegetarian, call yourself what you
feel is right and, if dealing with another vegetarian, simply keep
in mind the possible differences of opinion. Regardless of your
personal diet, if in doubt about another vegetarian’s choices, ask
away. Most of us don’t mind telling you what we eat and don’t eat.
It helps us ensure we will get the food we have chosen, and it
clears up further misunderstandings.
After all, we’re herbivorous people. We won’t bite much.
J
