Vegetarianismis the practice of abstaining from the consumption ofmeat, poultry,seafoodand thefleshof any otheranimal , and may also include abstention fromby-productsofanimal slaughter.Vegetarianism can be adopted for different reasons. Manyobject to eating meatout of respect forsentientlife. Such ethical motivations have been codifiedunder various religious beliefs, along withanimal rights. Other motivations for vegetarianism are health-related, political,environmental, cultural,aestheticoreconomic. Avegandiet excludes allanimal products, including eggs, dairy, beeswax and honey. Some vegans also avoid animal products such as leather (and possibly silk) for clothing and goose-fat for shoe polish.Various packaged or processed foods, including cake, cookies, candies, chocolate, yogurt and marshmallows, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, and may be a special concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions. Often, products are reviewed by vegetarians for animal-derived ingredients prior to purchase or consumption.[6]Vegetarians vary in their feelings regarding these ingredients, however. For example, while some vegetarians may be unaware of animal-derivedrennet's role in the usual production of cheese and may therefore unknowingly consume the product,other vegetarians may not take issue with its consumption. Semi-vegetariandiets consist largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish or poultry, or sometimes other meats, on an infrequent basis. Those with diets containing fish or poultry may definemeatonly asmammalianflesh and may identify with vegetarianism. Apescetariandiet has been described as "fish but no other meat. Thecommon useassociation between such diets and vegetarianism has led vegetarian groups such as theVegetarian Societyto state that diets containing these ingredients are not vegetarian, due to fish and birds being animals.[12]

In countries like the United States where meat is not as expensive, though, people often choose to be vegetarians for reasons other than cost. Parental preferences, religious or other beliefs, and health issues are among the most common reasons for choosing to be a vegetarian. Many people choose a vegetarian diet out of concern over animal rights or the environment. And lots of people have more than one reason for choosing vegetarianism.Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian DietsDifferent people follow different forms of vegetarianism. A true vegetarian eats no meat at all, including chicken and fish. Alacto-ovo vegetarianeats dairy products and eggs, but excludes meat, fish, and poultry. It follows, then, that alacto vegetarianeats dairy products but not eggs, whereas anovo vegetarianeats eggs but not dairy products.A stricter form of vegetarianism isveganism(pronounced: VEE-gun-izm). Not only are eggs and dairy products excluded from avegan diet, so are animal products like honey and gelatin.Somemacrobioticdiets fall into the vegan category. Macrobiotic diets restrict not only animal products but also refined and processed foods, foods with preservatives, and foods that contain caffeine or other stimulants.Following a macrobiotic or vegan diet could lead to nutritional deficiencies in some people. Teens need to be sure their diets include enough nutrients to fuel growth, particularly protein and calcium. If you're interested in following a vegan or macrobiotic diet it's a good idea to talk to a registered dietitian. He or she can help you design meal plans that include adequatevitamins and minerals.