To ensure you have a balanced and varied diet, read our advice on healthy eating for vegetarians and vegans.
To ensure you have a balanced and varied diet, read our advice on healthy eating for vegetarians and vegans.
To have a healthy, balanced diet which includes all the nutrients your body needs, make sure you eat a wide variety of foods.
Vegetarians and vegans eat a diet of:
Vegetarians (but not vegans) also eat:
Vegetarians and vegans don't eat:
In addition, vegans don't eat eggs and dairy products.
Some people who call themselves vegetarians may eat different combinations of these foods. For example, some may consume milk but not eggs, while some may eat fish but not meat.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat both dairy products and eggs. This is the most common type of vegetarian diet.
Lacto vegetarians eat dairy products, but not eggs.
Ovo vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy products.
Vegans don't eat dairy products, eggs or any other animal product.
A vegetarian or vegan diet can be suitable for everyone, regardless of their age. However, you may need to consider specific needs at different stages of life – for example, if you're pregnant.
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Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.