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©2002 Learning Zone Express
Louanne Kaupa, RD, LN.
History
 The
concept of plant based diets dates
back to 6th century B.C.
 Pythagoras,
a Greek Philosopher, is
considered to be the “Father of
Vegetarianism”. He encouraged his
followers to avoid eating meat too.
 Others
who encouraged vegetarian
lifestyles included: Socrates, Plato, Ovid,
and Virgil.
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Vegetarianism Today
 Today
it is estimated that nearly
15 million people in North
America are choosing
vegetarian based meal plans.
 One
of the fastest growing
groups of vegetarians are older
adolescents and young adults.
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Types of Vegetarianism
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Vegan
A
diet which avoids the use
of any animal product or
byproduct.
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Lacto-Vegetarians
A
plant based diet which excludes
all animal products except dairy
products.
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Ovo-Vegetarians
A
plant based diet which excludes
all animal products except eggs.
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Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians
 Diet
consists of plant foods, dairy
products and eggs.
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Pesco-Vegetarian
A
diet which avoids red meat but
includes fish.
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Semi-Vegetarian
A
diet which avoids red meat but
occasionally includes fish or
poultry.
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Reasons for Choosing
Vegetarianism
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Religious
 Some
religious groups practice
vegetarianism due to health,
moral, and/or ethical reasons (i.e.
7th Day Adventists).
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Ethical/Moral Beliefs
 The
belief that it is wrong to use a living
creature for food.
 The
belief that the manner in which
animals are raised and slaughtered is
immoral.
 Belief
that there is an unnecessary
excess of meat products in American
meal plans.
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Health
 There
is increasing evidence that a
well planned plant based diet may
have health benefits. Chronic
diseases which occur less often in
populations following vegetarian
diets include coronary artery
disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity,
and hypertension.
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Environmental
 Many
believe the production of
animals for food creates more
environmental waste than the
production of plants for food.
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Taste
 Many
do not enjoy the taste of
animal products and prefer a plant
based diet.
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Other reasons include:
 Economics,
politics, or available
food supply in developing
countries.
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 Meet
your Meat
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjan
hKqVC4
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Meal Planning Basics
A vegetarian meal plan needs to
meet the same standards as any
other diet. It needs to have
balance, variety, and moderation.
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Nutrient needs of a Vegetarian
Meal Plan include:
 Water
 Macronutrients
Carbohydrate
• Protein
• Fat
•
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 Micronutrients
Vitamins
• Minerals
•
 In
addition to nutrient needs, a
vegetarian meal plan should
provide adequate calories to
support growth or maintain body
tissue.
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Challenges for Vegetarians
 Dinner
at friend’s or extended family
member’s homes.
 Eating
in restaurants.
 Eating
on the road.

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Many fast food places do not
offer a wide range of
vegetarian food options.
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