A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs and dairy but avoids other animal products. Some research associates vegetarian diets with health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure.
However, people should try to avoid too many processed foods, which can negate these health benefits. Instead, they should focus on eating whole foods.
This article defines what a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is and looks at what the evidence says about its health benefits and potential risks. It lists what to eat and what to avoid and gives an example of a 5-day meal plan.
A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet excludes meat, poultry, and fish but includes eggs and dairy products. People commonly refer to this dietary pattern simply as a vegetarian diet.
The word “lacto” refers to milk, and “ovo” refers to eggs. Similarly, someone could choose to follow a lacto-vegetarian diet, excluding eggs but consuming milk.
People may follow a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet for ethical reasons, such as animal rights or to help the environment. Other people choose the diet for health or religious reasons, or simply as a personal preference.
As farmers do not slaughter animals to obtain eggs, milk, and honey, many vegetarians choose to eat these foods. However, some people who follow a vegan diet may argue that the dairy and egg industries do involve slaughter or other animal cruelty and that producing honey exploits bees.
A vegetarian diet that includes whole foods, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce a person’s risk of some chronic diseases. The following looks at what the evidence says about potential health benefits.
Anti-inflammatory
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According to the authors, these inflammatory markers are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. They also suggest that lower body mass index (BMI) scores among vegetarians may, in part, account for the anti-inflammatory effects.
Furthermore, eating a wide range of plant foods means that vegetarians may consume
Lowering blood pressure
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The same review indicated that vegetarian diets are low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in antioxidants, and these factors can lower blood pressure.
Preventing diabetes
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The authors suggest that a lower BMI may contribute to the reasons for this, which also include eating risk-reducing foods such as whole grains and vegetables.
Managing weight
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However, the review pointed out that some studies have highlighted increased anxiety and eating disorders among vegetarians, raising the possibility that young people may adopt the diet to limit their food intake.
There are potential risks of a vegetarian diet, particularly for certain groups of people. There are also some myths about the diet’s nutritional inadequacies.
Inadequate protein myth
Some people have concerns that vegetarian diets do not provide adequate protein or amino acids.
However, a
The same review also analyzed the amino acid profile of vegetarian diets. The authors concluded that when diets are at least slightly varied, choosing plant proteins with complementary amino acid patterns is overcautious.
Groups of people at risk
People of certain ages should be careful to ensure that they consume enough essential nutrients on a vegetarian diet.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise that young children and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or chestfeeding should seek nutritional advice on following a vegetarian diet.
Depending on how many animal products they include in the diet, there is a risk that they may not meet daily requirements for nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Similarly, older people who may have limited cooking resources or access to healthy food may miss essential nutrients by following a vegetarian diet.
Groups of people who may be at risk can choose to take a vegetarian supplement. However, they should choose a product that does not contain a gelatine capsule.
Processed foods
Another potential risk of a vegetarian diet is that someone may choose more processed foods than whole foods.
The recent boom in plant-based diets means that many “junk food” alternatives are available with higher sugar, fat, and salt levels than whole food ingredients.
Eating too many processed foods can cause weight gain and feelings of lethargy and fatigue.
The United Kingdom’s Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as someone who does not eat any products or byproducts of slaughter. Therefore, people who eat a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet avoid the following foods and ingredients:
- meat and poultry
- fish and seafood
- insects or insect products, such as cochineal
- gelatine and animal rennet
- stock or fat from animals
A healthy lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet includes the following foods:
- a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
- eggs
- dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
- tofu
- beans and lentils
- nuts and seeds
- whole grains
- healthy fats, such as olive oil, hemp oil, or avocado oil
Below are examples of what someone following a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet could eat over a 5-day period.
Day 1
- Breakfast: oatmeal with a sprinkling of chopped nuts and a drizzle of honey
- Lunch: mixed salad with avocado, hummus, and oatcakes
- Dinner: bean and vegetable chili with brown rice and steamed kale
- Snacks: a piece of fruit or a boiled egg
Day 2
- Breakfast: a boiled egg with a slice of whole grain toast spread with yeast extract
- Lunch: feta cheese salad with greens, tomatoes, red pepper, and walnuts
- Dinner: tofu stir fry with broccoli, cabbage, and carrots on buckwheat (soba) noodles
- Snacks: peanut butter on oatcakes or a handful of nuts
Day 3
- Breakfast: a smoothie containing whey protein, berries, spinach, and apple
- Lunch: roasted vegetables and broad bean dip in a wholemeal wrap
- Dinner: chickpea and butternut squash curry with yogurt raita and pita bread slices
- Snacks: hummus and carrot or celery sticks or a piece of fruit
Day 4
- Breakfast: sugar-free granola with Greek yogurt and berries
- Lunch: pita bread filled with falafel, hummus, and salad greens
- Dinner: vegetable and bean casserole with buckwheat dumplings and broccoli
- Snacks: a piece of feta cheese or mashed avocado on a rice cake
Day 5
- Breakfast: omelet with spinach and tomato
- Lunch: cooked quinoa with steamed broccoli and toasted cashew nuts
- Dinner: bean chili with sweet potato wedges and low fat sour cream
- Snacks: sugar-free trail mix or a chocolate protein ball
A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, which people usually refer to as a vegetarian diet, can be a healthy way to eat.
There are plenty of options for protein, including eggs and dairy products. Someone eating a varied diet usually does not need to worry about getting enough amino acids.
Research has associated vegetarian diets with health benefits, including lower blood pressure and a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Certain groups of people eating a vegetarian diet should work with a registered dietitian to ensure that they get enough nutrients. Generally, people should eat mainly whole foods and avoid processed foods to stay healthy.
