If you are new to the vegetarian lifestyle you maybe confused by the different types of vegetarians.

There are several types of vegetarian diets to consider before deciding which is best for you. You should think about any special health needs, your ethical beliefs, and your lifestyle before settling in to one. Some vegetarian diets are more difficult than others, requiring special foods and preparation. Remember, the stricter your diet is the more difficult and time consuming it will be,

Of the types of vegetarians, vegan is the strictest. They may or may not follow a raw foods diet but all vegans eschew the use of animal products of any kind. Vegans do not eat the following foods, or any7 food that contains them:
Eggs
Dairy
Gelatin
Fish
Poultry

Many vegans do not use products containing animal derived substances for ethical reasons. These products include:
Honey
Shoes, accessories, and apparel containing leather
Casein or milk paints
Natural hair art brushes
Natural hair make up brushes

The vegan diet is a perfectly healthy one. The only nutrient that a vegan may have difficulty getting is B-12, and this can be overcome with vitamins and adding high quality brewer’s yeast to the diet.

The ovo-lacto vegetarian eats vegetables, fruit, milk and eggs. This type of vegetarian had plenty to choose from and can enjoy most of the same foods as anyone eating a standard diet.

While the vegan needs to carefully read the ingredient list on baked goods, the ovo-lacto vegetarian is under no such constraints.

There are some ovo-vegetarians, those that do eat eggs but will not use dairy products. Often this is because of concern about the veal industry. The dairy industry tends to support the veal industry, which can be very inhumane.

A piscatorial eats no animal products other than fish. This is usually done for health reasons rather than ethical reasons. Sometimes people use this as a phase in moving slowly toward a completely vegetarian or vegan diet. Items on a Pescatarian diet include:

• All vegetables
• All fruits
• Nuts
• Beans and legumes
• Fish

This is self explanatory. People on a raw foods diet do not eat anything that has been cooked. People on a raw foods diet believe that anything that has been heated above 115F lose significant nutritional value.
Forms if breads and crackers are able to be made in a dehydrator. Other foods that can be eaten are:

• Raw vegetables
• Raw fruits
• Fresh juices
• Cold pressed olives and oils
• Raw nut butters
• Nuts
• Sprouts

For the majority of vegetarians protein sources will be plant based, including:

• Beans
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Seitan

As vegetarianism has become more popular manufacturers have created a variety of meat substitutes that closely resemble meat. You can get everything from vegetarian hot dogs to vegetarian hamburger patties.

The key to maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle is to be willing to try new things and keep an open mind about what you eat.  Whether you begin you vegetarian walk as a vegan or ease into it by following a pesca tarian diet it is an adjustment that will take some time.

I fyou are interesting in tryikng one of these types of diets you will need more information than is given here. For more information on the different types of vegetarianism check out these resources:

• Vegan
• Vegan Recipes
• Vegan Chef
• All Recipes- Vegetarian
• Living and Raw Foods
• Raw Guru