The 6 Levels of VEG

Technically, a vegetarian is a person who has made the conscious choice of not consuming meat. However, since the word "vegetarian" is very broad and loosely defined, there are numerous people who fall into other categories of vegetarianism. 

0 - Omnivore 

Consumes all animal products

1 - Semi-Vegetarian 

Abstains from certain meats, such as red meat

2 - Pescetarian 

Abstains from all meats, but will consume fish, mollusks and animal derivatives

3 - Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian

Abstains from all direct animal products (ie: meat or fish) but will consume milk and egg products

4 - Ovo Vegetarian

Abstains from all direct animal products (ie: meat or fish) but will consume egg products

5 - Lacto Vegetarian

Abstains from all direct animal products (ie: meat or fish) but will consume milk products

6 - Vegan

Abstains from all animal products and derivatives

Vegan Question Answered: If you eat plants, isn't it just as bad?

Surprisingly, I get this question very often, generally from my friends and co-workers. 


If you eat plants, isn't it just as bad?


There are a few reasons consuming plants isn't as bad as eating animals.

1. Plants don't have "feelings"

Plants don't have the same type of  central nervous system as we do, and although they can react to stimuli, they can't feel any pain. (According to various sources, but feel free to correct me if this information is wrong)

2. It's better for the environment

It takes ten times more energy to produce one gram of animal protein than one gram of plant protein. Furthermore, according to the United Nations, the commercial animal producing and processing industry emits more greenhouse gases than any other type of industry in the world. 

3. It's much healthier for you. 

Eating meat can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease while plants reduce your risk. Fish also bioaccumulate many oceanic toxins because they are higher up in the food chain than aquatic plants like algae.