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=                           Vegetarianism                            =
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                            Introduction
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Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of
meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other
animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of
animal slaughter. A person who practices vegetarianism is known as a
vegetarian.

Vegetarianism may be adopted for various reasons. Many people object
to eating meat out of respect for sentient animal life. Such ethical
motivations have been codified under various religious beliefs as well
as animal rights advocacy. Other motivations for vegetarianism are
health-related, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic,
economic, taste-related, or relate to other personal preferences.

A small number of towns and cities around the world are exclusively
vegetarian or have outlawed meat, including Rishikesh, which banned
meat, fish, and eggs in 1956. A larger number of towns and cities are
vegetarian-friendly. In other locations, finding vegetarian food can
pose some difficulties.

There are many variations of the vegetarian diet: an ovo-vegetarian
diet includes eggs and a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy
products, while a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both. As the
strictest of vegetarian diets, a vegan diet excludes all animal
products, and can be accompanied by abstention from the use of
animal-derived products, such as leather shoes.

Vegetarian diets pose some difficulties. For vitamin B12, depending on
the presence or absence of eggs and dairy products in the diet or
other reliable B12 sources, vegetarians may incur a nutritional
deficiency. Packaged and processed foods may contain minor quantities
of animal ingredients. While some vegetarians scrutinize product
labels for such ingredients, others do not object to consuming them,
or are unaware of their presence.


                             Etymology
======================================================================
The first written use of the term "vegetarian" originated in the early
19th century, when authors referred to a 'vegetable regimen' diet.
Historically, 'vegetable' could be used to refer to any type of edible
vegetation. Modern dictionaries explain its origin as a compound of
'vegetable' (adjective) and the suffix '-arian' (in the sense of
'agrarian'). The term was popularized with the foundation of the
Vegetarian Society in Manchester in 1847,'OED' vol. 19, second edition
(1989), p. 476; 'Webster's Third New International Dictionary' p.
2537; 'The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology', 'Oxford', 1966, p.
972; 'The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology' (1988), p. 1196; Colin
Spencer, 'The Heretic's Feast. A History of Vegetarianism', London
1993, p. 252. The 'OED' writes that the word came into general use
after the formation of the Vegetarian Society at Ramsgate in 1847,
though it offers two examples of usage from 1839 and 1842:
* 1839: "If I had had to be my own cook, I should inevitably become a
vegetarian." (F. A. Kemble, 'Jrnl. Residence on Georgian Plantation'
(1863) 251)
* 1842: "To tell a healthy vegetarian that his diet is very
uncongenial with the wants of his nature." ('Healthian', Apr. 34) The
1839 occurrence remains under discussion; the Oxford English
Dictionary's 1839 source is in fact an 1863 publication: Fanny Kemble,
'Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation 1838-1839'. The
original manuscript has not been located. although it has been used
before in writing first attributed to actress, writer and abolitionist
Fanny Kemble, in her 'Journal of a Residence on a Georgian plantation
in 1838-1839'. The earliest occurrences of the term seem to be related
to Alcott House--a school on the north side of Ham Common,
London--which was opened in July 1838 by James Pierrepont Greaves.
From 1841, it was known as 'A Concordium, or Industry Harmony
College', and the institution then began to publish its own pamphlet,
'The Healthian'. It provides some of the earliest appearances of the
term "vegetarian".


''Vegetarian'' etymology
==========================
The term "vegetarian" has been in use since around 1839 to refer to
what was previously called a vegetable regimen or diet. Its origin is
an irregular compound of 'vegetable' and the suffix '-arian' (in the
sense of "supporter, believer" as in 'humanitarian').


                              History
======================================================================
In 2025, a study published in 'Science' measured nitrogen isotope
ratios in fossilized teeth and determined that Australopithecus was
almost entirely vegetarian.

The earliest record of vegetarianism comes from the 9th century BCE,
inculcating tolerance towards all living beings. Parshwanatha and
Mahavira, the 23rd and 24th 'tirthankaras' in Jainism, respectively,
revived and advocated ahimsa and Jain vegetarianism between the 8th
and 6th centuries BCE; the most comprehensive and strictest form of
vegetarianism. In Indian culture, vegetarianism has been closely
connected with the attitude of nonviolence towards animals (called
'ahimsa' in India) for millennia and was promoted by religious groups
and philosophers. The Ācārāṅga Sūtra from 5th century BCE advocates
Jain-vegetarianism and forbids the monks from walking on grass in
order to avoid inflicting pain on them and prevent small insects
dwelling inside from getting killed. The ancient Indian work of the
'Tirukkuṟaḷ', dated before the 5th century CE, explicitly and
unambiguously emphasizes shunning meat and non-killing as a common
man's virtues. Chapter 26 of the Tirukkural, particularly couplets
251-260, deals exclusively on moral vegetarianism or veganism.



Among the Hellenes, Egyptians, and others, vegetarianism had medical
or ritual purification purposes. Vegetarianism was also practiced in
ancient Greece and the earliest reliable evidence for vegetarian
theory and practice in Greece dates from the 6th century BCE. The
Orphics, a religious movement spreading in Greece at that time, also
practiced and promoted vegetarianism. Greek teacher Pythagoras, who
promoted the altruistic doctrine of metempsychosis, may have practiced
vegetarianism, but is also recorded as eating meat. A fictionalized
portrayal of Pythagoras appears in Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', in which he
advocates a form of strict vegetarianism. It was through this
portrayal that Pythagoras was best known to English-speakers
throughout the early modern period and, prior to the coinage of the
word "vegetarianism", vegetarians were referred to in English as
"Pythagoreans". Vegetarianism was also practiced about six centuries
later in another instance (30 BCE-50 CE) in the northern Thracian
region by the Moesi tribe (who inhabited present-day Serbia and
Bulgaria), feeding themselves on honey, milk, and cheese.

In Japan in 675, the Emperor Tenmu prohibited the killing and the
eating of meat during the busy farming period between April and
September but excluded the eating of wild birds and wild animals.
These bans and several others that followed over the centuries were
overturned in the nineteenth century during the Meiji Restoration. In
China, during the Song dynasty, Buddhist cuisine became popular enough
that vegetarian restaurants appeared where chefs used ingredients such
as beans, gluten, root vegetables and mushrooms to create meat
analogues including pork, fowl, eggs and crab roe and many meat
substitutes used even today such as tofu, seitan and konjac originate
in Chinese Buddhist cuisine.

Following the Christianization of the Roman Empire in late antiquity,
vegetarianism practically disappeared from Europe, as it did
elsewhere, except in India. Several orders of monks in medieval Europe
restricted or banned the consumption of meat for ascetic reasons, but
none of them eschewed fish. Moreover, the medieval definition of
"fish" included such animals as seals, porpoises, dolphins, barnacle
geese, puffins, and beavers. Vegetarianism re-emerged during the
Renaissance, becoming more widespread in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1847, the first Vegetarian Society was founded in the United
Kingdom; Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries followed. In
1886, the vegetarian colony Nueva Germania was founded in Paraguay,
though its vegetarian aspect would prove short-lived. The
International Vegetarian Union, an association of the national
societies, was founded in 1908. In the Western world, the popularity
of vegetarianism grew during the 20th century as a result of
nutritional, ethical, and--more recently--environmental and economic
concerns.


                        Vegetarian locations
======================================================================
A small number of cities, towns, and intentional communities around
the world are exclusively vegetarian where no meat is sold or consumed
due to religious and cultural influences. In all-vegetarian locations,
meat and sometimes other animal products are sometimes officially
outlawed. In other exclusively vegetarian cities, meat is not sold or
served due to cultural influences but is not officially outlawed. Some
religious centers in India have banned all meat sales within municipal
boundaries. For example, in 1956, Rishikesh banned the sale of meat,
fish, and eggs.

Locations where residents are vegetarian and only vegetarian food is
consumed within city limits include:
* Amirim, Israel. Founded in 1958 on vegetarian principles, the town
features vegetarian guest houses and had a population of 865 in 2022.
* Cheremshanka, Altai Republic in Russia
* Community of the Ark, La Borie Noble, France. Founded in 1948 by
Lanza del Vasto as a vegetarian, spiritual commune.
* Haridwar in Uttarakhand, India. In 2002 meat sales were banned in
Haridwar. The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2004.
* New Vrindaban in West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1968 by
Kirtanananda Swami, New Virndaban is a vegetarian, intentional
community.
* Palitana in Gujarat, India. In 2014, Palitana banned meat sales.
* Pushkar in Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is one of the world's oldest
cities and a religious center. Because of its holy status and number
of temples, Pushkar is a vegetarian city where the sale of meat, fish,
eggs, and alcohol are all banned.
* Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, India. In 1956, Rishikesh banned the sale
of meat, fish, and eggs.
* Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, India
* The Farm in Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1971 by Stephen
Gaskin and 300 spiritual seekers as a vegan, intentional community.


Former all-vegetarian locations
=================================
* Alcott House in Surrey, United Kingdom
* Ephrata Cloister in Pennsylvania, United States
* Fruitlands in Massachusetts, United States
* Octagon City, Kansas, United States
* The Sanctuary (community) in West Sussex, United Kingdom


Heavily-vegetarian locations
==============================
The percentage of vegetarians varies by country. India has the highest
percentage of vegetarian residents, and Mexico has the second highest
percentage of vegetarian residents. In general, vegetarians are a
minority. However, a number of cities and towns around the world have
much larger vegetarian populations who constitute a majority of
municipal residents. Heavily-vegetarian locations:
* Bengaluru the capital of Karnataka, India
* Chennai the capital of Tamil Nadu, India
* Chiang Mai in Thailand
* Loma Linda, California in the United States
* Shashamane in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
* Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India


                             Varieties
======================================================================
Comparison of the main vegetarian diets
!! Meat !! Eggs !! Dairy
Ovo vegetarianism
Lacto-ovo vegetarianism
Lacto vegetarianism
Vegan diet

There are a number of vegetarian diets that exclude or include various
foods:

* Fruitarianism permits only fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant
matter that can be gathered without harming the plant.
* Macrobiotic diets consist mostly of whole grains and beans.
* Lacto vegetarianism includes dairy products but not eggs.
* Ovo vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy products.
* Lacto-ovo vegetarianism (or ovo-lacto vegetarianism) includes animal
products such as eggs, milk, and honey.
* Sattvic diet (also known as yogic diet), a plant-based diet which
may also include dairy and honey, but excludes eggs, red lentils,
durian, mushrooms, 'alliums', blue cheeses, fermented foods or sauces,
and alcoholic drinks. Coffee, black or green tea, chocolate, nutmeg,
and any other type of stimulant (including excessively pungent spices)
are sometimes excluded, as well.
* Veganism excludes all animal flesh and by-products, such as eggs,
milk, honey, edible bird's nest and items refined or manufactured
through any such product, such as animal-tested baking soda or white
sugar refined with bone char.
** Raw veganism includes only fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds,
and vegetables. Food must not be heated above  to be considered "raw".
Usually, raw vegan food is only ever "cooked" with a food dehydrator
at low temperatures.



Within the "ovo-" groups, there are many who refuse to consume
fertilized eggs (with balut being an extreme example); however, such
distinction is typically not specifically addressed.

Some vegetarians also avoid products that may use animal ingredients
not included in their labels or which use animal products in their
manufacturing. For example, sugars that are whitened with bone char,
cheeses that use animal rennet (enzymes from animal stomach lining),
gelatin (derived from the collagen inside animals' skin, bones, and
connective tissue), some cane sugar (but not beet sugar) and beverages
(such as apple juice and alcohol) clarified with gelatin or crushed
shellfish and sturgeon, while other vegetarians are unaware of, or do
not mind, such ingredients. In the 21st century, 90% of rennet and
chymosin used in cheesemaking are derived from industrial fermentation
processes, which satisfy both kosher and halal requirements.

Individuals sometimes label themselves "vegetarian" while practicing a
semi-vegetarian diet, as some dictionary definitions describe
vegetarianism as sometimes including the consumption of fish, or only
include mammalian flesh as part of their definition of meat, while
other definitions exclude fish and all animal flesh. In other cases,
individuals may describe themselves as "flexitarian".
These diets may be followed by those who reduce animal flesh consumed
as a way of transitioning to a complete vegetarian diet or for health,
ethical, environmental, or other reasons. Semi-vegetarian diets
include:
* Pescetarianism, which includes fish and possibly other forms of
seafood.
* Pollotarianism, which includes chicken and possibly other poultry.

Semi-vegetarianism is contested by vegetarian groups, such as the
Vegetarian Society, which states that vegetarianism excludes all
animal flesh.

Consumption of eggs is not considered to be a part of a vegetarian
diet in India, as egg is an animal product that gives birth to the
next generation of the relevant species.


                          Health research
======================================================================
In Western countries, the most common motive for people practicing
vegetarianism is health consciousness. The Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics has stated that at all stages of life, a properly planned
vegetarian diet can be "healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may be
beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."
Vegetarian diets offer lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol and
animal protein, and higher levels of carbohydrates, fibre, magnesium,
potassium, folate, vitamins C and E, and phytochemicals.


Bones
=======
Studies have shown that a (non-lacto) vegetarian diet may increase the
risk of calcium deficiency and low bone mineral density. A 2019 review
found that vegetarians have lower bone mineral density at the femoral
neck and lumbar spine compared to omnivores. A 2020 meta-analysis
found that infants fed a lacto-vegetarian diet exhibited normal growth
and development. A 2021 review found no differences in growth between
vegetarian and meat-eating children.


Diabetes
==========
Vegetarian diets are under preliminary research for their potential to
help people with type 2 diabetes.


Cardiovascular system
=======================
Meta-analyses have reported a reduced risk of death from ischemic
heart disease and from cerebrovascular disease among vegetarians.


Mental health
===============
Reviews of vegan and vegetarian diets showed a possible association
with depression and anxiety, particularly among people under 26 years
old. Another review found no significant associations between a
vegetarian diet and depression or anxiety.


Eating disorders
==================
The American Dietetic Association discussed that vegetarian diets may
be more common among adolescents with eating disorders, indicating
that vegetarian diets do not cause eating disorders, but rather
"vegetarian diets may be selected to camouflage an existing eating
disorder".


Mortality risk
================
A 2012 study found a reduced risk in all-cause mortality in
vegetarians. A 2017 review found a lower mortality (−25%) from
ischemic heart disease.


                   Diet composition and nutrition
======================================================================
Western vegetarian diets are typically high in carotenoids, but
relatively low in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Vegans can have
particularly low intake of vitamin B and calcium if they do not eat
enough items such as collard greens, leafy greens, tempeh and tofu
(soy). High levels of dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamins C and E, and
magnesium, and low consumption of saturated fat are all considered to
be beneficial aspects of a vegetarian diet. A well planned vegetarian
diet will provide all nutrients in a meat-eater's diet to the same
level for all stages of life.


Protein
=========
Protein intake in vegetarian diets tends to be lower than in meat
diets but can meet the daily requirements for most people. Studies at
Harvard University as well as other studies conducted in the United
States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and various
European countries, confirmed that vegetarian diets provide sufficient
protein intake as long as a variety of plant sources are available and
consumed.


Iron
======
Vegetarian diets typically contain similar levels of iron to
non-vegetarian diets, but this has lower bioavailability than iron
from meat sources, and its absorption can sometimes be inhibited by
other dietary constituents. According to the Vegetarian Resource
Group, consuming food that contains vitamin C, such as citrus fruit or
juices, tomatoes, or broccoli, is a good way to increase the amount of
iron absorbed at a meal. Vegetarian foods rich in iron include black
beans, cashews, hempseed, kidney beans, broccoli, lentils, oatmeal,
raisins, jaggery, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, black-eyed peas,
soybeans, many breakfast cereals, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, tomato
juice, tempeh, molasses, thyme, and whole-wheat bread. The related
vegan diets can often be higher in iron than vegetarian diets, because
dairy products are low in iron. Iron stores often tend to be lower in
vegetarians than non-vegetarians, and a few small studies report very
high rates of iron deficiency (up to 40%, and 58% of the respective
vegetarian or vegan groups). However, the American Dietetic
Association states that iron deficiency is no more common in
vegetarians than non-vegetarians (adult males are rarely iron
deficient); iron deficiency anaemia is rare no matter the diet.


Vitamin B₁₂
========================
Vitamin B12 is not generally present in plants but is naturally found
in foods of animal origin. Lacto-ovo vegetarians can obtain B12 from
dairy products and eggs, and vegans can obtain it from manufactured
fortified foods (including plant-based products and breakfast cereals)
and dietary supplements. A strict vegan diet avoiding consumption of
all animal products risks vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to
hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for several health disorders,
including anemia, neurological deficits, gastrointestinal problems,
platelet disorders, and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
The recommended daily dietary intake of B12 in the United States and
Canada is 0.4 mcg (ages 0-6 months), rising to 1.8 mcg (9-13 years),
2.4 mcg (14+ years), and 2.8 mcg (lactating female). While the body's
daily requirement for vitamin B12 is in microgram amounts, deficiency
of the vitamin through strict practice of a vegetarian diet without
supplementation can increase the risk of several chronic diseases.


Fatty acids
=============
Plant-based, or vegetarian, sources of Omega 3 fatty acids include
soy, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, canola oil, kiwifruit, hempseed, algae,
chia seed, flaxseed, echium seed and leafy vegetables such as lettuce,
spinach, cabbage and purslane. Purslane contains more Omega 3 than any
other known leafy green. Olives (and olive oil) are another important
plant source of unsaturated fatty acids. Plant foods can provide
alpha-linolenic acid which the human body uses to synthesize the
long-chain n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA can be obtained
directly in high amounts from oily fish, fish oil, or algae oil.
Vegetarians, and particularly vegans, have lower levels of EPA and DHA
than meat-eaters. While the health effects of low levels of EPA and
DHA are unknown, it is unlikely that supplementation with
alpha-linolenic acid will significantly increase levels..
Significantly, for vegetarians, certain algae such as spirulina are
good sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid
(ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA).


Calcium
=========
Calcium intake in vegetarians and vegans can be similar to
non-vegetarians, as long as the diet is properly planned. Lacto-ovo
vegetarians that include dairy products can still obtain calcium from
dairy sources like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Non-dairy milks that are fortified with calcium, such as soymilk and
almond milk can also contribute a significant amount of calcium in the
diet. Broccoli, bok choy, and kale have also been found to have
calcium that is well absorbed in the body. Though the calcium content
per serving is lower in these vegetables than a glass of milk, the
absorption of the calcium into the body is higher. Other foods that
contain calcium include calcium-set tofu, blackstrap molasses, turnip
greens, mustard greens, soybeans, tempeh, almonds, okra, dried figs,
and tahini. Though calcium can be found in Spinach, swiss chard, beans
and beet greens, they are generally not considered to be a good source
since the calcium binds to oxalic acid and is poorly absorbed into the
body. Phytic acid found in nuts, seeds, and beans may also impact
calcium absorption rates. See the National Institutes of Health Office
of Dietary Supplements for calcium needs for various ages, the
Vegetarian Resource Group and the Vegetarian Nutrition Calcium Fact
Sheet from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for more specifics
on how to obtain adequate calcium intake on a vegetarian or vegan
diet.


Vitamin D
===========
Vitamin D needs can be met via the human body's own generation upon
sufficient and sensible exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light in
sunlight. Products including milk, soy milk and cereal grains may be
fortified to provide a source of vitamin D. For those who do not get
adequate sun exposure or food sources, vitamin D supplementation may
be necessary.


Vitamin D₂
=======================
* Plants
** Alfalfa ('Medicago sativa subsp. sativa'), shoot: 4.8 μg (192 IU)
vitamin D2, 0.1 μg (4 IU) vitamin D3
* Fungus, from USDA nutrient database, per 100 g:
** Mushrooms, portabella, exposed to ultraviolet light, raw: Vitamin
D2: 11.2 μg (446 IU)
** Mushrooms, portabella, exposed to ultraviolet light, grilled:
Vitamin D2: 13.1 μg (524 IU)
** Mushrooms, shiitake, dried: Vitamin D2: 3.9 μg (154 IU)
** Mushrooms, shiitake, raw: Vitamin D2: 0.4 μg (18 IU)
** Mushrooms, portabella, raw: Vitamin D2: 0.3 μg (10 IU)
** Mushroom powder, any species, illuminated with sunlight or
artificial ultraviolet light sources

Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol is found in fungus (except alfalfa which
is a plantae) and created from viosterol, which in turn is created
when ultraviolet light activates ergosterol (which is found in fungi
and named as a sterol from ergot). Any UV-irradiated fungus including
yeast form vitamin D2. Human bioavailability of vitamin D2 from
vitamin D2-enhanced button mushrooms via UV-B irradiation is effective
in improving vitamin D status and not different from a vitamin D2
supplement according to study. For example, vitamin D2 from
UV-irradiated yeast baked into bread is bioavailable.
By visual assessment or using a chromometer, no significant
discoloration of irradiated mushrooms, as measured by the degree of
"whiteness", was observed making it hard to discover if they have been
treated without labeling. Claims have been made that a normal serving
(approx. 3 oz or 1/2 cup, or 60 grams) of mushrooms treated with
ultraviolet light increase their vitamin D content to levels up to 80
micrograms, or 2700 IU if exposed to just 5 minutes of UV light after
being harvested.


Choline
=========
Choline is a nutrient that helps transfer signals between nerve cells
and is involved in liver function. It is highest in dairy foods and
meat but it is possible to be obtained through a vegan diet.


General
=========
With regard to the ethics of eating meat, scholars consider
vegetarianism an ideology and a social movement. Ethical reasons for
choosing vegetarianism vary and are usually predicated on the
interests of non-human animals. In many societies, controversies and
debates have arisen over the ethics of eating animals. Some people,
while not vegetarians, refuse to eat the flesh of certain animals due
to cultural taboo, such as cats, dogs, horses or rabbits. Others
support meat eating for scientific, nutritional and cultural reasons,
including religious ones. Some meat eaters abstain from the meat of
animals reared in particular ways, such as factory farms, or avoid
certain meats, such as veal or foie gras. Some people follow
vegetarian or vegan diets not because of moral concerns involving the
raising or consumption of animals in general, but because of concerns
about the specific treatment and practices involved in the processing
of animals for food. Others still avoid meat out of concern that meat
production places a greater burden on the environment than production
of an equivalent amount of plant protein. Ethical objections based on
consideration for animals are generally divided into opposition to the
act of killing in general, and opposition to certain agricultural
practices surrounding the production of meat.


Ethics of killing for food
============================
Ethical vegetarians believe that killing an animal, like killing a
human, especially one who has equal or lesser cognitive abilities than
the animals in question, can only be justified in extreme
circumstances and that consuming a living creature for its enjoyable
taste, convenience, or nutrition value is not a sufficient cause.
Another common view is that humans are morally conscious of their
behavior in a way other animals are not, and therefore subject to
higher standards. Jeff McMahan proposes that denying the right to life
and humane treatment to animals with equal or greater cognitive
abilities than mentally disabled humans is an arbitrary and
discriminatory practice based on habit instead of logic. Opponents of
ethical vegetarianism argue that animals are not moral equals to
humans and so consider the comparison of eating livestock with killing
people to be fallacious. This view does not excuse cruelty, but
maintains that animals do not possess the rights a human has.


Dairy and eggs
================
One of the main differences between a vegan and a lacto-ovo vegetarian
diet is the avoidance of both eggs and dairy products such as milk,
cheese, butter and yogurt. Ethical vegans do not consume dairy or eggs
because they state that their production causes the animal suffering
or a premature death.

To produce milk from dairy cattle, farmers separate calves from their
mothers soon after birth to retain cow milk for human consumption.


Treatment of animals
======================
Ethical vegetarianism has become popular in developed countries
particularly because of the spread of factory farming and
environmental consciousness. Some believe that the current mass-demand
for meat cannot be satisfied without a mass-production system that
disregards the welfare of animals, while others believe that practices
like well-managed free-range farming or the consumption of game
(particularly from species whose natural predators have been
significantly eliminated) could substantially alleviate consumer
demand for mass-produced meat.


                         Religion and diet
======================================================================
Jainism teaches vegetarianism as moral conduct, as do some sects of
Hinduism. Buddhism in general does not prohibit meat eating, but
Mahayana Buddhism encourages vegetarianism as beneficial for
developing compassion. Other denominations that advocate a vegetarian
diet include the Seventh-day Adventists, the Rastafari movement, the
Ananda Marga movement and the Hare Krishnas. Sikhism does not equate
spirituality with diet and does not specify a vegetarian or meat diet.


Baháʼí Faith
==============
While there are no dietary restrictions in the Baháʼí Faith,
`Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the religion's founder, noted that a
vegetarian diet consisting of fruits and grains was desirable, except
for people with a weak constitution or those that are sick. He stated
that there are no requirements that Baháʼís become vegetarian, but
that a future society should gradually become vegetarian. `Abdu'l-Bahá
also stated that killing animals was contrary to compassion. While
Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Bahá'í Faith in the first half of the
20th century, stated that a purely vegetarian diet would be preferable
since it avoided killing animals, both he and the Universal House of
Justice, the governing body of the Baháʼís have stated that these
teachings do not constitute a Baháʼí practice and that Baháʼís can
choose to eat whatever they wish but should be respectful of others'
beliefs.


Buddhism
==========
Theravadins in general eat meat. If Buddhist monks "see, hear or know"
a living animal was killed specifically for them to eat, they must
refuse it or else incur an offense. However, this does not include
eating meat which was given as alms or commercially purchased. In the
Theravada canon, Shakyamuni Buddha did not make any comment
discouraging them from eating meat (except specific types, such as
human, elephant, horse, dog, snake, lion, tiger, leopard, bear, and
hyena flesh) but he specifically refused to institute vegetarianism in
his monastic code when a suggestion had been made.

In several Sanskrit texts of Mahayana Buddhism, Buddha instructs his
followers to avoid meat. However, each branch of Mahayana Buddhism
selects which sutra to follow, and some branches, including the
majority of Tibetan and Japanese Buddhists, actually do eat meat.

Meanwhile, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese Buddhism (in some sectors of
East Asian Buddhism) monks and nuns are expected to abstain from meat,
and traditionally, to abstain from eggs and dairy as well.

Different Buddhist traditions have differing teachings on diet, which
may also vary for ordained monks and nuns compared to others. Many
interpret the precept "not to kill" to require abstinence from meat,
but not all. In Taiwan, 'su' vegetarianism excludes not only all
animal products but also vegetables in the allium family (which have
the characteristic aroma of onion and garlic): onion, garlic,
scallions, leeks, chives, or shallots.


Christianity
==============
Various groups within Christianity have practiced specific dietary
restrictions for various reasons. The Council of Jerusalem in around
50 AD, recommended Christians keep following some of the Jewish food
laws concerning meat. The early sect known as the Ebionites are
considered to have practiced vegetarianism. Surviving fragments from
their Gospel indicate their belief that - as Christ is the Passover
sacrifice and eating the Passover lamb is no longer required - a
vegetarian diet may (or should) be observed. However, orthodox
Christianity does not accept their teaching as authentic. Indeed,
their specific injunction to strict vegetarianism was cited as one of
the Ebionites' "errors".

At a much later time, the Bible Christian Church founded by Reverend
William Cowherd in 1809 followed a vegetarian diet. Cowherd was one of
the philosophical forerunners of the Vegetarian Society. Cowherd
encouraged members to abstain from eating of meat as a form of
temperance.

Seventh-day Adventists are encouraged to engage in healthy eating
practices, and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets are recommended by the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Nutrition Council (GCNC).
They have also sponsored and participated in many scientific studies
exploring the impact of dietary decisions upon health outcomes. The
GCNC has in addition adapted the USDA's food pyramid for a vegetarian
dietary approach. However, the only kinds of meat specifically frowned
upon by the SDA health message are unclean meats, or those forbidden
in scripture.

Additionally, some monastic orders follow a pescatarian diet, and
members of the Eastern Orthodox Church follow a vegan diet during
fasts. There is also a strong association between the Quakers and
vegetarianism dating back at least to the 18th century. The
association grew in prominence during the 19th century, coupled with
growing Quaker concerns in connection with alcohol consumption,
anti-vivisection and social purity. The association between the Quaker
tradition and vegetarianism, however, becomes most significant with
the founding of the Friends' Vegetarian Society in 1902 "to spread a
kindlier way of living amongst the Society of Friends."


Seventh-day Adventist
=======================
The pioneers of the Adventist Church had much to do with the common
acceptance of breakfast cereals into the Western diet, and the "modern
commercial concept of cereal food" originated among Adventists. John
Harvey Kellogg was one of the early founders of Adventist health work.
His development of breakfast cereals as a health food led to the
founding of Kellogg's by his brother William. In both Australia and
New Zealand, the church-owned Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company
is a leading manufacturer of health and vegetarian-related products,
most prominently Weet-Bix. Kellogg encouraged his students Daniel H.
Kress and Lauretta E. Kress to study medicine together at the
University of Michigan Medical School and become public advocates of
vegetarianism; together they published an important vegetarian
cookbook and became early founders of what was later Washington
Adventist Hospital.

Research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health has shown
that the average Adventist in California lives 4 to 10 years longer
than the average Californian. The research, as cited by the cover
story of the November 2005 issue of 'National Geographic', asserts
that Adventists live longer because they do not smoke or drink
alcohol, have a day of rest every week, and maintain a healthy,
low-fat vegetarian diet that is rich in nuts and beans. The
cohesiveness of Adventists' social networks has also been put forward
as an explanation for their extended lifespan.
Since Dan Buettner's 2005 'National Geographic' story about Adventist
longevity, his book, 'The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From
the People Who've Lived the Longest', named Loma Linda, California, a
"blue zone" because of the large concentration of Seventh-day
Adventists. He cites the Adventist emphasis on health, diet, and
Sabbath-keeping as primary factors for Adventist longevity.

An estimated 35% of Adventists practice vegetarianism or veganism,
according to a 2002 worldwide survey of local church leaders. North
American Adventist health study recruitments from 2001 to 2007 found a
similar prevalence of vegetarianism/veganism. A small majority of
Adventists, 54%, were conventional meat-eaters. Of the remaining 46%
it was found that 28% were Ovo/Lacto-vegetarians, 10% were
Pesco-vegetarians and 8% were vegans. It is common for Adventists who
choose to eat meat to also eat plant-based foods; 6% of the
"meat-eaters" group restricted their intake of meat/fish to no more
than once per week.


Hinduism
==========
Though there is no strict rule on what to consume and what not to, the
food habits of Hindus vary according to their specific caste and
sub-caste, community, location, custom and varying traditions.
Historically and currently, a majority of Hindus (about 70%) eat meat,
while a large proportion of Hindus are vegetarian (about 30%).

Some sects of Hinduism such as Vaishnavism follow the purest form of
vegetarianism as an ideal while Shaktism and Tantric sects freely
consume chicken, mutton (goat and sheep meat), fish and eggs. The
reasons stated by Jains and Vaishnavas are: the principle of
nonviolence ('ahimsa') applied to animals; the intention to offer only
"pure" (vegetarian) food to a deity and then to receive it back as
'prasada'; and the conviction that a 'sattvic' diet is beneficial for
a healthy body. A 'sattvic' diet is lacto-vegetarian, which includes
dairy, but excludes eggs. An overwhelming majority of the Hindus
consider the cow to be a holy and sacred animal whose slaughter for
meat is forbidden. Thus, beef is a taboo for the majority of Hindus,
Jains and Sikhs


Islam
=======
Some followers of Islam, or Muslims, chose to be vegetarian for
health, ethical, or personal reasons. However, the choice to become
vegetarian for non-medical reasons can sometimes be controversial due
to conflicting fatwas and differing interpretations of the Quran.
Though some more traditional Muslims may keep quiet about their
vegetarian diet, the number of vegetarian Muslims is increasing.

Sri Lankan Sufi master Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, who established The Bawa
Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship of North America in Philadelphia. The former
Indian president Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was also famously a
vegetarian.

In January 1996, The International Vegetarian Union announced the
formation of the Muslim Vegetarian/Vegan Society.

Many non-vegetarian Muslims will select vegetarian (or seafood)
options when dining in non-halal restaurants. However, this is a
matter of not having the right kind of meat rather than preferring not
to eat meat on the whole.


Jainism
=========
Followers of Jainism believe that all living organisms, including
microorganisms, are living and have a soul, and have one or more
senses out of five senses. They go to great lengths to minimise any
harm to any living organism. Most Jains are lacto-vegetarians, but
more devout Jains do not eat root vegetables, because they believe
that root vegetables contain many more microorganisms as compared to
other vegetables, and that, by eating them, violence against these
microorganisms is inevitable. They therefore prefer eating beans and
fruits, whose cultivation involves killing fewer microorganisms. No
products obtained from already-dead animals are allowed because of
potential violence against decomposing microorganisms. Some
particularly dedicated individuals are fruitarians. Honey is
forbidden, being the regurgitation of nectar by bees  and potentially
containing eggs, excreta and dead bees. Many Jains do not consume
plant parts that grow underground such as roots and bulbs, because the
plants themselves and tiny animals may be killed when the plants are
pulled up.


Judaism
=========
While classical Jewish law neither requires nor prohibits the
consumption of meat, Jewish vegetarians often cite Jewish principles
regarding animal welfare, environmental ethics, moral character, and
health as reasons for adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Rabbis may advocate vegetarianism or veganism primarily because of
concerns about animal welfare, especially in light of the traditional
prohibition on causing unnecessary "pain to living creatures" (tza'ar
ba'alei hayyim). Some Jewish vegetarian groups and activists believe
that the halakhic permission to eat meat is a temporary leniency for
those who are not ready yet to accept the vegetarian diet.

The book of Daniel starts in its first chapter with the benefits of
vegetarianism. Due to its size, its late time of origin and its
revealing content, the book is of particular importance for the time
of the following exile, which lasts now for 2000 years and technically
still goes on until the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt. A diet
described as "pulse and water" is presented along benefits such as
accordance with the biblical dietary laws, health, beauty, wisdom and
vision. Vegetarianism can be seen as a safeguard around the dietary
laws or the beautification of them.

Jewish vegetarianism and veganism have become especially popular among
Israeli Jews. In 2016, Israel was described as "the most vegan country
on Earth", as five percent of its population eschewed all animal
products. Interest in veganism has grown among both non-Orthodox and
Orthodox Jews in Israel.


Rastafari
===========
Within the Afro-Caribbean community, a minority are Rastafari and
follow the dietary regulations with varying degrees of strictness. The
most orthodox eat only "Ital" or natural foods, in which the matching
of herbs or spices with vegetables is the result of long tradition
originating from the African ancestry and cultural heritage of
Rastafari. "Ital", which is derived from the word vital, means
essential to human existence. Ital cooking in its strictest form
prohibits the use of salt, meat (especially pork), preservatives,
colorings, flavorings and anything artificial. Most Rastafari are
vegetarian.


Sikhism
=========
The tenets of Sikhism do not advocate a particular stance on either
vegetarianism or the consumption of meat, but leave the decision of
diet to the individual. The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, however,
prohibited "Amritdhari" Sikhs, or those that follow the Sikh Rehat
Maryada (the Official Sikh Code of Conduct) from eating Kutha meat, or
meat which has been obtained from animals which have been killed in a
ritualistic way. This is understood to have been for the political
reason of maintaining independence from the then-new Muslim hegemony,
as Muslims largely adhere to the ritualistic halal diet.

"Amritdharis" that belong to some Sikh sects (e.g. Akhand Kirtani
Jatha, Damdami Taksal, Namdhari and Rarionwalay, etc.) are vehemently
against the consumption of meat and eggs (though they do consume and
encourage the consumption of milk, butter and cheese). This vegetarian
stance has been traced back to the times of the British Raj, with the
advent of many new Vaishnava converts. In response to the varying
views on diet throughout the Sikh population, Sikh Gurus have sought
to clarify the Sikh view on diet, stressing their preference only for
simplicity of diet. Guru Nanak said that over-consumption of food
(Lobh, Greed) involves a drain on the Earth's resources and thus on
life. Passages from the 'Guru Granth Sahib' (the holy book of Sikhs,
also known as the 'Adi Granth') say that it is "foolish" to argue for
the superiority of animal life, because though all life is related,
only human life carries more importance: "Only fools argue whether to
eat meat or not. Who can define what is meat and what is not meat? Who
knows where the sin lies, being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian?" The
Sikh langar, or free temple meal, is largely lacto-vegetarian, though
this is understood to be a result of efforts to present a meal that is
respectful of the diets of any person who would wish to dine, rather
than out of dogma.


                        Environment and diet
======================================================================
Environmental vegetarianism is based on the concern that the
production of meat and animal products for mass consumption,
especially through factory farming, is environmentally unsustainable.
According to a 2006 United Nations initiative, the livestock industry
is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation
worldwide, and modern practices of raising animals for food contribute
on a "massive scale" to air and water pollution, land degradation,
climate change, and loss of biodiversity. The initiative concluded
that "the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most
significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems,
at every scale from local to global."

In addition, animal agriculture is a large source of greenhouse gases.
According to a 2006 report it is responsible for 18% of the world's
greenhouse gas emissions as estimated in 100-year CO2 equivalents.
Livestock sources (including enteric fermentation and manure) account
for about 3.1 percent of US anthropogenic GHG emissions expressed as
carbon dioxide equivalents. This EPA estimate is based on
methodologies agreed to by the Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC,
with 100-year global warming potentials from the IPCC Second
Assessment Report used in estimating GHG emissions as carbon dioxide
equivalents.

Meat produced in a laboratory (called in vitro meat) may be more
environmentally sustainable than regularly produced meat. Reactions of
vegetarians vary. Rearing a relatively small number of grazing animals
can be beneficial, as the Food Climate Research Network at Surrey
University reports: "A little bit of livestock production is probably
a good thing for the environment".

In May 2009, Ghent, Belgium, was reported to be "the first [city] in
the world to go vegetarian at least once a week" for environmental
reasons, when local authorities decided to implement a "weekly
meatless day". Civil servants would eat vegetarian meals one day per
week, in recognition of the United Nations' report. Posters were put
up by local authorities to encourage the population to take part on
vegetarian days, and "veggie street maps" were printed to highlight
vegetarian restaurants. In September 2009, schools in Ghent are due to
have a weekly 'veggiedag' ("vegetarian day") too.

Public opinion and acceptance of meat-free food is expected to be more
successful if its descriptive words focus less on the health aspects
and more on the flavor.


                     Labor conditions and diet
======================================================================
Some groups, such as PETA, promote vegetarianism as a way to offset
poor treatment and working conditions of workers in the contemporary
meat industry. These groups cite studies showing the psychological
damage caused by working in the meat industry, especially in factory
and industrialised settings, and argue that the meat industry violates
its labourers' human rights by assigning difficult and distressing
tasks without adequate counselling, training and debriefing. However,
the working conditions of agricultural workers as a whole,
particularly non-permanent workers, remain poor and well below
conditions prevailing in other economic sectors. Accidents, including
pesticide poisoning, among farmers and plantation workers contribute
to increased health risks, including increased mortality. According to
the International Labour Organization, agriculture is one of the three
most dangerous jobs in the world.


                         Economics and diet
======================================================================
Some vegetarians are economic vegetarians who avoid meat due to cost
considerations. Vegetarians also have an impact on the economy. In
2022, sales of vegetarian food in the UK was estimated at £1.16
billion. The US-based Plant Based Food Association found that the
sales of plant-based foods in the U.S. alone amounts to $13.7 billion
a year. Vegans have been found to influence the business at
restaurants through what is referred to as the vegan veto vote.


Economic vegetarianism
========================
Similar to environmental vegetarianism is the concept of economic
vegetarianism. An economic vegetarian is someone who practices
vegetarianism from either the philosophical viewpoint concerning
issues such as public health and curbing world starvation, the belief
that the consumption of meat is economically unsound, part of a
conscious simple living strategy or just out of necessity. According
to the Worldwatch Institute, "Massive reductions in meat consumption
in industrial nations will ease their health care burden while
improving public health; declining livestock herds will take pressure
off rangelands and grainlands, allowing the agricultural resource base
to rejuvenate. As populations grow, lowering meat consumption
worldwide will allow more efficient use of declining per capita land
and water resources, while at the same time making grain more
affordable to the world's chronically hungry." According to estimates
in 2016, adoption of vegetarianism would contribute substantially to
global healthcare and environmental savings.


                            Demographics
======================================================================
Prejudice researcher Gordon Hodson argues that vegetarians and vegans
frequently face discrimination where eating meat is held as a cultural
norm.


Turnover
==========
Research suggests that, at least in the United States, vegetarianism
has a high turnover rate, with less than 20% of adopters persisting
for more than a year. Research shows that lacking social support
contributes to lapses. A 2019 analysis found that adhering to any kind
of restricted diet (gluten-free, vegetarian, kosher, teetotal) was
associated with feelings of loneliness and increased social isolation.

Vegetarians or vegans who adopted their diet abruptly might be more
likely to eventually abandon it when compared to individuals adopting
their diet gradually with incremental changes.


Country-specific information
==============================
The rate of vegetarianism by country varies substantially from
relatively low levels in countries such as the Netherlands (5%) to
more considerable levels in India (20-40%). Estimates for the number
of vegetarians per country can be subject to methodological
difficulties, as respondents may identify as vegetarian even if they
include some meat in their diet, and thus some researchers suggest the
percentage of vegetarians may be significantly overestimated.


                               Media
======================================================================
Vegetarianism is occasionally depicted in mass media. Some scholars
have argued that mass media serves as a "source of information for
individuals" interested in vegetarianism or veganism, while there are
"increasing social sanctions against eating meat". Over time, societal
attitudes of vegetarianism have changed, as have perceptions of
vegetarianism in popular culture, leading to more "vegetarian
sentiment". Even so, there are still existing "meat-based" food
metaphors which infuse daily speech, and those who are vegetarian and
vegan are met with "acceptance, tolerance, or hostility" after they
divulge they are vegetarian or vegan. Some writers, such as John L.
Cunningham, editor of the Vegetarian Resource Group's newsletter, have
argued for "more sympathetic vegetarian characters in the mass media".


Literature
============
In Western literature, vegetarianism, and topics that relate to it,
have informed a "gamut of literary genres", whether literary fiction
or those fictions focusing on utopias, dystopias, or apocalypses, with
authors shaped by questions about human identity and "our relation to
the environment", implicating vegetarianism and veganism. Others have
pointed to the lack of "memorable characters" who are vegetarian.
There are also vegetarian themes in horror fiction, science fiction
and poetry.

In 1818, Mary Shelley published the novel 'Frankenstein'. Writer and
animal rights advocate Carol J. Adams argued in her seminal book, 'The
Sexual Politics of Meat' that the unnamed creature in the novel was a
vegetarian. She argued that the book was "indebted to the vegetarian
climate" of its day and that vegetarianism is a major theme in the
novel as a whole. She notes that the creature gives an "emotional
speech" talking about its dietary principles, which makes it a "more
sympathetic being" than others. She also said that it connected with
Vegetarianism in the Romantic Era who believed that the Garden of Eden
was meatless, rewrote the myth of Prometheus, the ideas of
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and feminist symbolism. Adams concludes that it
is more likely that the "vegetarian revelations" in the novel are
"silenced" due to the lack of a "framework into which we can
assimilate them." Apart from Adams, scholar Suzanne Samples pointed to
"gendered spaces of eating and consumption" within Victorian England
which influenced literary characters of the time. This included works
such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem titled 'The Charge of the Light
Brigade,' Christina Rossetti's volume of poetry titled 'Goblin Market
and Other Poems', Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland',
Mary Seacole's autographical account titled 'Wonderful Adventures of
Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands', and Anthony Trollope's novel titled
'Orley Farm'. Samples also argued that vegetarianism in the Victorian
era "presented a unique lifestyle choice that avoided meat but
promoted an awareness of health", which initially was seen as
rebellious but later became more normalized.

In Irene Clyde's 1909 feminist utopian novel, 'Beatrice the
Sixteenth', Mary Hatherley accidentally travels through time,
discovering a lost world, which is a postgender society named Armeria,
with the inhabitants following a strict vegetarian diet, having ceased
to slaughter animals for over a thousand years. Some reviewers of the
book praised the vegetarianism of the Armerians.

James Joyce's 1922 novel, 'Ulysses' is said to have vegetarian themes.
Scholar Peter Adkins argued that while Joyce was critical of the
vegetarianism of George A.E. Russell, the novel engages with
"questions of animal ethics through its portrayal of Ireland's cattle
industry, animal slaughter and the cultural currency of meat," unlike
some of his other novels. He also stated that the novel "historicizes
and theorizes animal life and death," and that it demonstrates the
ways that symbolism and materiality of meat are "co-opted within
patriarchal political structures," putting it in the same space as
theorists like Carol J. Adams, Donna J. Haraway, Laura Wright, and
Cary Wolfe, and writers such as J. M. Coetzee.

In 1997, S. Reneé Wheeler wrote in the 'Vegetarian Journal', saying
that "finding books with vegetarian themes" is important for helping
children "feel legitimate in being vegetarian." In 2004, writer J. M.
Coetzee argued that since the "mode of consciousness of nonhuman
species is quite different from human consciousness," it is hard for
writers to realize this for animals, with a "temptation to project
upon them feelings and thoughts that may belong only to our own human
mind and heart," and stated that reviewers have ignored the presence
of animals in his books. He also stated that animals are present in
his "fiction either not at all or in a merely subsidiary role" because
they occupy "a subsidiary place in our lives" and argued that it is
not "possible to write about the inner lives of animals in any complex
way."

In 2014, 'The New Yorker' published a short story by Jonathan Lethem
titled "Pending Vegan" which follows "one family, a husband and wife
and their four-year-old twin daughters" on a trip to SeaWorld in San
Diego, California. The protagonist of the story, Paul Espeseth,
renames himself "Pending Vegan" in order to acknowledge his
"increasing uneasiness with the relationship between man and beast."

In 2016, a three-part Korean novel by Han Kang titled 'The Vegetarian'
was published in the U.S., which focuses on a woman named Young-hye,
who "sees vegetarianism as a way of not inflicting harm on anything,"
with eating meat symbolizing human violence itself, and later
identifies as a plant rather than as a human "and stops eating
entirely." Some argued the book was
more about mental illness than vegetarianism. Others compared it to
fictional works by Margaret Atwood.


Television
============
Vegetarians, and vegetarian themes, have appeared in various TV shows,
such as 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', 'True Blood', 'The Simpsons',
'King of the Hill', and 'South Park'.

Mr. Spock of 'Star Trek' has been called "television's first
vegetarian." He and his fellow Vulcans do not eat meat due to a
"philosophy of non-violence." He is identified as vegetarian following
an episode where he was "transported back to pre-civilised times" and
ate meat, and in Richard Marranca, in an issue of the 'Vegetarian
Journal', said that for Spock, like Kwai Chang Caine in 'Kung Fu',
"vegetarianism was something authentic and taken for granted; it was
the right thing to do based on compassion and logic."

In 1995, 'The Simpsons' episode "Lisa the Vegetarian" aired. Before
recording their lines for the episode, showrunner David Mirkin, who
had recently stopped consuming meat, gave Linda and Paul McCartney "a
container of his favorite turkey substitute," with both voicing
characters in an episode which focused around vegetarianism. Critic
Alan Siegel said that before the episode vegetarians had been
portrayed as "rarely as anything but one-dimensional hippies" but that
this episode was different as it was "told from the point of view of
the person becoming a vegetarian." He said that the episode was one of
the "first times on television that vegetarians saw an honest
depiction of themselves" and of people's reaction to their dietary
choices. The idea for the episode was originally proposed by David X.
Cohen and the McCartneys agreed on the condition that Lisa remain a
vegetarian, with both satisfied with how the episode turned out. In
the episode, Lisa decides to stop eating meat after bonding with a
lamb at a petting zoo. Her schoolmates and family members ridicule her
for her beliefs, but with the help of Apu as well as Paul and Linda
McCartney, she commits to vegetarianism. The staff promised that she
would remain a vegetarian, resulting in one of the few permanent
character changes made in the show. In an August 2020 interview,
McCartney said that he and is wife were worried that Lisa "would be a
vegetarian for a week, then Homer would persuade her to eat a hot
dog," but were assured by the producers that she would remain that
way, and he was delighted that they "kept their word."

In September 1998, the 'King of the Hill' episode "And They Call It
Bobby Love" aired on FOX. In the episode, "Bobby has a relationship
with a vegetarian named Marie. She later dumps him after he eats a
steak in front of her." In the March 2002 'South Park' episode "Fun
with Veal", Stan Marsh becomes a vegetarian after he learns that veal
is made of baby cows, which Cartman makes fun of. The episode ends
with the boys, including Stan, getting grounded, but not before going
out with their parents for burgers, meaning that Stan is no longer a
vegetarian. In the DVD commentary, the creators said they wanted to
balance their message of not eating baby animals, by at the same time
not advocating people abstain from meat consumption altogether.

Aang, in the animated series 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' and 'The
Legend of Korra' was vegetarian. According to the show's creators,
"Buddhism and Taoism have been huge inspirations behind the idea for
'Avatar'." As shown in "The King of Omashu" and "The Headband", a
notable aspect of Aang's character is his vegetarian diet, which is
consistent with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. In the Brahmajala
Sutra, a Buddhist code of ethics, vegetarianism is encouraged.

Other fictional characters who are vegetarians include Count Duckula
in 'Count Duckula', Beast Boy in 'Teen Titans' and 'Teen Titans Go!',
Lenore in 'Supernatural', and Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the animated
series 'What's New, Scooby Doo?'. Before the latter animated series,
Shaggy was known for having an "enormous appetite" earlier in the
Scooby-Doo franchise. The decision to make Shaggy a vegetarian
occurred after his voice actor, Casey Kasem, convinced the producers
to do so, since he was a vegan who supported animal rights and opposed
factory farming, saying he would refuse to voice Shaggy unless the
character was vegetarian.

An October 2019 'South Park' episode, "Let Them Eat Goo", featured a
vegetarian character. Additionally, Steven Universe, the protagonist
in the show 'Steven Universe' and the limited epilogue series, 'Steven
Universe Future', is a vegetarian. In the episode "Snow Day" of
'Steven Universe Future', Steven tells the Gems he lives with that he
has been a vegetarian for a month, drinks protein shakes and mentions
that he does "his own skincare routine."


Film
======
In the 1999 film, 'Notting Hill', Keziah, played by Emma Bernard is a
vegetarian. In one scene, Keziah tells William "Will" Thacker (played
by Hugh Grant), that she is a fruitarian. She says she believes that
"fruits and vegetables have feeling", meaning she opposes cooking
them, only eating things that have "actually fallen off a tree or
bush" and that are dead already, leading to what some describe as a
negative depiction.

In the 2000 film, 'But I'm A Cheerleader', before Megan, one of the
film's protagonists, is sent to a conversion therapy camp, her parents
and others claim she is a lesbian because she is a vegetarian.
'Legally Blonde', a 2001 film, also featured a vegetarian--Elle Woods.
When she introduces herself at Harvard Law School, she describes
herself and her dog as "Gemini vegetarians".

In the 2012 film, 'Life of Pi', Pi, played by Suraj Sharma, is a
vegetarian based on his 3 religions: Hindu, Christian, and Muslim. And
in the ship scene, one Taiwanese Sailor, played by Bo-Chieh Wang, is a
vegetarian from his Buddhism religion to eat rice and the vegetarian
gravy.

In the 2018 Hollywood blockbuster, 'Black Panther', M’Baku (voiced by
Winston Duke), the Jabari tribe leader who lives in the mountains of
Wakanda, declares to a White CIA agent named Everett Ross (voiced by
Martin Freeman), "if you say one more word, I'll feed you to my
children!" After Everett is shaken by these words, he jokes, saying he
is kidding because all those in his tribe, including himself, are
vegetarians. Some praised this scene for challenging a stereotype of
Black culture and the perception of what vegetarians look like. Duke
later said that some Black outlets cooked vegan meals for him, and
said that the scene is "kind of teaching kids that eating vegetables
is cool," which is something he is for.

Vegetarian themes have also been noted in the 'Twilight' novel
(2005-2008) and film franchise (2008-2012), 'The Road' (2006) and 'The
Year of the Flood' (2009). In March 2020, scholar Nathan Poirer
reviewed 'Thinking Veganism in Literature and Culture: Towards a Vegan
Theory', a book edited by Emelia Quinn and Benjamin Westwood, and he
concluded that veganism could "infiltrate popular culture without
being perceived as threatening," while noting others who contribute to
the book examining vegan cinema that "challenges the normality of
human supremacy by situating humans as potential prey," and stating
that the essays outline ways veganism can be successful in popular
culture.

Reviewers said that the Netflix original film, 'Okja', which focused
on factory farming, talks about genetically modified animals, and
features a radical environmentalist group, had an impact on people's
diets. Some said the film would convince audience members to become
vegetarians, saying the film encourages people to eat less meat,
comparing it to the impact of the documentaries 'Food, Inc.',
'Blackfish', 'The Cove', and 'Cowspiracy',  Jonathan Safran Foer’s
book, 'Eating Animals', the films 'Charlotte’s Web', 'Babe',  and
'Chicken Run', and to the themes of 'Watership Down'. The film was
also described as the "ultimate vegetarian film." The film's
co-writer, Jon Ronson, who is also vegetarian, said that while the
film will "turn people vegetarian", this was not his intention nor
that of director Bong Joon-ho. In an interview with The Independent,
Joon-ho said that he did not "expect the entire audience to convert to
veganism after watching the film" and said that he does not have an
issue with meat consumption, but asked the audience to consider where
their food comes from, and said if that happens, then the "level of
meat consumption will gradually decline." Joon-Ho told LA Times that
in his view, the food industry is "always trying to do is try to
thicken the walls of the slaughterhouse so that nobody can peer inside
it," with LA Times noting that Joon-Ho became vegan after visiting a
slaugherhouse in South Korea, but ended the diet change after two
months. Paul Dano, who plays Jay in the film, also told GQ that, while
he is a meat-eater, it made him want to "be more conscientious
consumer" and said it is easy to "forget that when we put our dollar
down we are supporting something."

Other scholars noted vegetarian themes in the films 'The Fault in Our
Stars', 'The Princess Diaries' series, and the 2009 film,
'Vegetarian'.


                              See also
======================================================================
* European Vegetarian Union
* International Vegetarian Union
* List of vegetarians
* Plant-based diet
* ProVeg International
* Vegetarian and vegan symbolism
* Vegetarian cuisine
* Vegetarian Diet Pyramid
* Vegetarian nutrition


                           External links
======================================================================
* [https://www.pdfmx.com/the-complete-vegetarian-cookbook-pdf-free/
The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook]
* [https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/49949 The Logic of Vegetarianism:
Essays and Dialogues by Henry S. Salt]


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