Vegetarian Diet can be really healthy, it is based around plant foods. Plant based meals consisting of a variety of whole grains, legumes, nuts, vegetables, fruits and for some eggs and dairy products.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VEGETARIAN DIET:

  • The Vegan or Total Vegetarian diet is designed for individuals who wish to exclude all animals products.
  • The Lacto-Vegetarian is designed for those who wish to consume plant foods, cheese, milk and other dairy products.
  • The Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian includes the addition of eggs.
Vegetarian Diet, Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Diet, Semi-Vegetarian Diet, Lacto-Vegetarian
  • The Semi-Vegetarian Diet is designed for individuals who wish to exclude red meats but include chicken and fish with plant foods, dairy products and eggs.

Vegetarian Diet requires additional supplementation and modification to meet nutritional needs especially during illness, pregnancy, lactation, infancy and childhood.

FOODS ALLOWED:

The following guidelines are for Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Diet. Items marked with an asterisk would be omitted from a Vegan meal plan.

FOOD GROUPSALLOWEDAVOIDED
Milk
up to 3 servings		Fat-Free (skim)*, low-fat (1%)*, reduced-fat (2%)*, milk, low-fat flavored or plain yogurt*, low-fat cheese*Whole milk*, chocolate milk*
Meat and bean
2-3 servings		Eggs*, meat analogues, tofu or tempeh, legumes, soy milk, limited amounts of nuts, and nut butters including peanut butterHigh-fat cheeses*, refried beans
Fruits
1 1/2 cup or more		Any fresh, canned, dried, frozen productsAvocado
Vegetables
2 cups or more		Any fresh, canned, frozen and dried productsDeep-fried, or battered and fried vegetables
Oils/fat
Use sparingly		Margarine, salad dressings, and vegetables oilsButter*, sour cream*, cream cheese, non-dairy creamers containing coconut oil
Sweets/desserts
Use sparingly		Low-fat, moderately sweetened desserts such as pudding/custard made with fat-free milk*, angel food cake*, vanilla wafers, flavored yogurt*, frozen yogurt*, light ice cream*High-sugar, high-fat desserts such as pies and pastries, frosted cake, candy, whole milk puddings*, custards*, ice cream*
Fluids
6-8 cups		Water, bottled and sparkling waters, coffee, herbal teaTea (with meals), carbonated beverages and sweetened, flavored sparkling waters, fruit beverages, drinks and “ades”, beverages containing alcohol
OthersVegetable broths, herbs and spices, blackstrap molasses, brewer’s yeast, low-sodium seasonings, wheat germHoney, jelly, and jam, high sodium seasonings