Lacto vegetarianism

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Lacto-vegetarians consume dairy products, but not eggs or meat. Soy-whey-protein-diet.jpg
Lacto-vegetarians consume dairy products, but not eggs or meat.
Comparison of selected vegetarian and semi-vegetarian diets (view template)
Plants Dairy Eggs Seafood Poultry All other animals
Semi-vegetarianism Flexitarianism YesYesYesSometimesSometimesSometimes
Pollotarianism YesMaybeMaybeMaybeYesNo
Pescetarianism YesMaybeMaybeYesNoNo
Vegetarianism Lacto-ovo vegetarianism YesYesYesNoNoNo
Lacto vegetarianism YesYesNoNoNoNo
Ovo vegetarianism YesNoYesNoNoNo
Veganism YesNoNoNoNoNo

A lacto-vegetarian (sometimes referred to as a lactarian; from the Latin root lact-, milk) diet abstains from the consumption of meat as well as eggs, while still consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese (without animal rennet i.e., from microbial sources), yogurt, butter, ghee, cream, and kefir, [1] as well as honey.

Contents

History

The concept and practice of lacto-vegetarianism among a significant number of people comes from ancient India. [2]

An early advocate of lacto-vegetarianism was the Scottish physician George Cheyne who promoted a milk and vegetable-based diet to treat obesity and other health problems in the early 18th century. [3] [4]

During the 19th century, the diet became associated with naturopathy. German naturopaths Heinrich Lahmann and Theodor Hahn promoted lacto-vegetarian diets of raw vegetables, whole wheat bread, and dairy products such as milk. [5] [6] [7]

In the 20th century, lacto-vegetarianism was promoted by the American biochemist Elmer McCollum and the Danish physician and nutritionist Mikkel Hindhede. [7] [8] In 1918, McCollum commented that "lacto-vegetarianism should not be confused with strict vegetarianism. The former is, when the diet is properly planned, the most highly satisfactory plan which can be adopted in the nutrition of man." [9]

Hindhede became a food advisor to the Danish government during World War I and was influential in introducing a lacto-vegetarian diet to the public. [7] [8] [10] The system of rationing restricted meat and alcohol so the Danish population were mostly living on a diet of milk and vegetables. [10] During the years of food restriction from 1917 to 1918, both mortality and morbidity decreased; [10] the mortality rate dropped by 34%, the lowest death rate ever reported for Denmark. [8] Hindhede's dieting ideas expressed in his scientific publications, along with those written by other Scandinavian scientists, were translated in German and well received amongst the right-wing political spectrum in post-war Germany. [10] Subsequently, lacto-vegetarianism was strongly supported by German life reformers (Lebensreform) and became influential on some of the leading exponents of the National Socialist movement. [10]

The uric-acid free diet of Alexander Haig was lacto-vegetarian. On this diet only cheese, milk, nuts, certain vegetables, and white bread could be eaten. [11] [12] [13]

Mahatma Gandhi was a notable lacto-vegetarian, who drank milk daily. [14] In 1931, Gandhi commented that:

I know we must all err. I would give up milk if I could, but I cannot. I have made that experiment times without number. I could not, after a serious illness, regain my strength, unless I went back to milk. That has been the tragedy of my life. [14] [15]

In 1936, Narasinh Narayan Godbole authored Milk: The Most Perfect Food, a book defending lacto-vegetarianism and promoting the consumption of dairy products in opposition to meat. [16] [17]

Rennet

Historically most commercial cheese was made with calf rennet, making this an issue for lacto-vegetarians. Fig and thistle rennet were used in ancient times but such plant-based rennets were not suitable for the manufacture of long-ripened cheese varieties so calf rennet became the standard until there was a shortage of supply. [18]

John Smith in his book The Principles and Practice of Vegetarian Cookery in 1860 wrote about a "vegetable rennet" made from the flowers of Galium verum . [19] In 1898, W. A. Macdonald in The Vegetarian magazine commented that fig and thistle rennet had been successful in experiment but only calf rennet had commercial significance. [20] In India in the late 19th-century, the berries from Withania coagulans were used as a vegetarian rennet and sold in powdered capsules. [21] [22] [23]

Most commercial cheese in the United States is currently made using chymosin. Some vegetarians consider this an acceptable alternative, whilst others do not as the gene used to make microbial chymosin originated from calves. [24]

Religion

Lacto-vegetarian diets are popular with certain followers of the Eastern religious traditions such as Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The core of their beliefs behind a lacto-vegetarian diet is the law of ahimsa, or non-violence.[ citation needed ]

Hinduism

According to the Vedas (Hindu holy scriptures), all living beings are equally valued. [25] [26] Hindus believe that vegetarianism is vital for spiritual progress. [27] It takes many more vegetables or plants to produce an equal amount of meat, [28] many more lives are destroyed, and in this way more suffering is caused when meat is consumed. [29] Although some suffering and pain is inevitably caused to other living beings to satisfy the human need for food, according to ahimsa, every effort should be made to minimize suffering. [29] This is to avoid karmic consequences and show respect for living things, because all living beings are equally valued in these traditions, [26] a vegetarian diet rooted in ahimsa is only one aspect of environmentally conscious living, relating to those beings affected by our need for food. [29] However, this does not apply to all Hindus; some do consume meat, though usually not any form of beef.

In India, lacto vegetarian is considered synonymous to vegetarian, while eggs are considered a meat product. [30] However, in other parts of the world, vegetarianism generally refers to ovo lacto vegetarianism instead, allowing eggs into the diet. [31]

Many Hindu wrestlers are strict lacto-vegetarians and follow a Sattvic diet. A large part of their diet is milk, ghee, almonds and chickpeas. [32]

Jainism

In the case of Jainism, the vegetarian standard is strict. It allows the consumption of only fruit and leaves that can be taken from plants without causing their death. This further excludes from the diet root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, radish, turnips, turmeric, etc since uprooting plants is considered as bad karma in Jainism. [33] Jains also do not consume honey since it is considered as stealing food and also because honey collecting destroys bee hives and bee eggs and bee larvae inside it. [34]

Sikhism

The Namdharis, a Sikh sect follow a strict lacto-vegetarian diet and have quoted verses from the Guru Granth Sahib endorsing vegetarianism, they also advocate for cow protection. [35] [36] [37] The Damdami Taksal also cite the Guru Granth Sahib and advocate a strict lacto-vegetarian diet. [38] [39] Eating meat is not allowed in any form including eggs, fish and gelatine. [39]

Lacto-vegetarians and vegans

The primary difference between a vegan and a lacto-vegetarian diet is the avoidance of dairy products. Vegans do not consume dairy products, believing that their production causes the animal suffering or a premature death, [40] or otherwise abridges animal rights.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddhist cuisine</span> East Asian cuisine informed by Buddhism

Buddhist cuisine is an Asian cuisine that is followed by monks and many believers from areas historically influenced by Mahayana Buddhism. It is vegetarian or vegan, and it is based on the Dharmic concept of ahimsa (non-violence). Vegetarianism is common in other Dharmic faiths such as Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, as well as East Asian religions like Taoism. While monks, nuns and a minority of believers are vegetarian year-round, many believers follow the Buddhist vegetarian diet for celebrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rennet</span> Complex of enzymes from the stomachs of young ruminant mammals, used in the production of cheese

Rennet is a complex set of enzymes produced in the stomachs of ruminant mammals. Chymosin, its key component, is a protease enzyme that curdles the casein in milk. In addition to chymosin, rennet contains other enzymes, such as pepsin and a lipase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarianism</span> Abstaining from the consumption of meat

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat. It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. A person who practices vegetarianism is known as a vegetarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarian cuisine</span> Food not including meat

Vegetarian cuisine is based on food that meets vegetarian standards by not including meat and animal tissue products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diet (nutrition)</span> Sum of food consumed by an organism

In nutrition, diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. The word diet often implies the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight-management reasons. Although humans are omnivores, each culture and each person holds some food preferences or some food taboos. This may be due to personal tastes or ethical reasons. Individual dietary choices may be more or less healthy.

Kosher foods are foods that conform to the Jewish dietary regulations of kashrut. The laws of kashrut apply to food derived from living creatures and kosher foods are restricted to certain types of mammals, birds and fish meeting specific criteria; the flesh of any animals that do not meet these criteria is forbidden by the dietary laws. Furthermore, kosher mammals and birds must be slaughtered according to a process known as shechita and their blood may never be consumed and must be removed from the meat by a process of salting and soaking in water for the meat to be permissible for use. All plant-based products, including fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs and spices, are intrinsically kosher, although certain produce grown in the Land of Israel is subjected to other requirements, such as tithing, before it may be consumed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pareve</span> Kashrut classification of foods free from dairy and meat

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarianism and religion</span> Religious practices involving not eating meat

The practice of vegetarianism is strongly linked with a number of religious traditions worldwide. These include religions that originated in India, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. With close to 85% of India's billion-plus population practicing these religions, India remains the country with the highest number of vegetarians in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovo vegetarianism</span> Type of vegetarianism

Ovo vegetarianism is a type of vegetarianism which allows for the consumption of eggs but not dairy products, in contrast with lacto vegetarianism. Those who practice ovo vegetarianism are called ovo-vegetarians. "Ovo" comes from the Latin word for egg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jain vegetarianism</span> Set of religion-based dietary rules

Jain vegetarianism is practised by the followers of Jain culture and philosophy. It is one of the most rigorous forms of spiritually motivated diet on the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The Jain cuisine is completely lacto-vegetarian and excludes root and underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion etc., to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms. The diet also helps prevent the entire plant from being uprooted and killed. It is practiced by Jain ascetics and lay Jains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarianism by country</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diet in Hinduism</span>

Diet in Hinduism signifies the diverse traditions found across the Indian subcontinent. Hindu scriptures promote a vegetarian dietary ideal based on the concept of ahimsa—non-violence and compassion towards all beings. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 44% of Hindus say they are vegetarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diet in Sikhism</span> Views on what followers of Sikhism are permitted to eat

Followers of Sikhism do not have a preference for meat or vegetarian consumption. There are two views on initiated or "Amritdhari Sikhs" and meat consumption. "Amritdhari" Sikhs can eat meat. "Amritdharis" that belong to some Sikh sects are vehemently against the consumption of meat and eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lacto-ovo vegetarianism</span> Vegetarian diet allowing eggs and dairy

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism or ovo-lacto vegetarianism is a type of vegetarianism which forbids animal flesh but allows the consumption of animal products such as dairy and eggs. Unlike pescetarianism, it does not include fish or other seafood. A typical ovo-lacto vegetarian diet may include fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, meat substitutes, nuts, seeds, soy, cheese, milk, yogurt and eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pescetarianism</span> Dietary practice of incorporating seafood into an otherwise vegetarian diet

Pescetarianism is a dietary practice in which seafood is the only source of meat in an otherwise vegetarian diet. The inclusion of other animal products, such as eggs and dairy, is optional. According to research conducted from 2017 to 2018, approximately 3% of adults worldwide are pescetarian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-vegetarian food in India</span> Non-vegetarian food and culture in India

Non-vegetarian food contains meat, and sometimes, eggs. The term is common in India, but not usual elsewhere. In the generally vegetarian environment of India, restaurants offering meat and fish usually have a "non-vegetarian" section of their menu, and may include the term in their name-boards and advertising. When describing people, non-vegetarians eat meat and/or eggs, as opposed to vegetarians. But in India, consumption of dairy foods is usual for both groups.

Narasinh Narayan Godbole was an Indian food chemist and the first Director of Industries & Supplies of Government of Rajasthan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. L. Buttner</span> American physician

Jacques Louis Buttner was a French American physician and vegetarianism activist.

References

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  2. ↑ Spencer, Colin: The Heretic's Feast. A History of Vegetarianism, London: Fourth Estate 1993, p. 69–84. ISBN   1-85702-078-2.
  3. ↑ Kiple, Kenneth F; Ornelas, Kriemhild Coneè. (2000). The Cambridge World History of Food, Volume 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 1556. ISBN   0-521-40215-8
  4. ↑ Beatty, Heather R. (2012). Nervous Disease in Late Eighteenth-Century Britain: The Reality of a Fashionable Disorder. Routledge. pp. 103-104. ISBN   978-1-84893-308-8
  5. ↑ Bergdolt, Klaus. (2008). Wellbeing: A Cultural History of Healthy Living. Polity Press. p. 286. ISBN   978-07456-2913-1
  6. ↑ Puskar-Pasewicz, Margaret. (2010). Cultural Encyclopedia of Vegetarianism. ABC-CLIO. p. 116. ISBN   978-0-313-37556-9
  7. 1 2 3 Treitel, Corinna. (2017). Eating Nature in Modern Germany: Food, Agriculture and Environment, c.1870 to 2000. Cambridge University Press. pp. 77-81. ISBN   978-1-107-18802-0
  8. 1 2 3 Iacobbo, Karen; Iacobbo, Michael. (2004). Vegetarian America: A History. pp. 138-140. ISBN   0-275-97519-3
  9. ↑ McCollum, Elmer Verner (1918). The Newer Knowledge of Nutrition. Macmillan Company. p.  52.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Briesen, Detlef (2017). "What is a healthy diet? Some ideas about the construction of healthy food in Germany since the nineteenth century". In Sebastia, Brigitte (ed.). Eating Traditional Food: Politics, Identity and Practices. Routledge Studies in Food, Society and The Environment. London: Routledge. p. 172. ISBN   978-1-138-18700-9. LCCN   2016021306.
  11. ↑ "Reviewed Work: Uric Acid As A Factor In The Causation Of Disease by Alexander Haig". The British Medical Journal. 2 (2483): 263. 1908.
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  14. 1 2 Phelps, Norm. (2007). The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA. Lantern Books. pp. 165-166. ISBN   978-1-59056-106-5
  15. ↑ "The Moral Basis of Vegetarianism". Speech delivered by Gandhi at a Social Meeting organised by the London Vegetarian Society, 20 November 1931.
  16. ↑ "Reviewed Work: Milk, The Most Perfect Food by N. N. Godbole, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya". Current Science . 5 (11): 600–601. 1937. JSTOR   24204292.
  17. ↑ A. C. D. (1938). "Milk the Most Perfect Food. N. N. Godbole, Benares Hindu Univ., Dipawali, India, 1936". Journal of Dairy Science . 21 (9): 242.
  18. ↑ Fox, Patrick F; McSweeney, Paul L. H; Cogan, Timothy M; Guinee, Timothy P. (2004). Cheese: Chemistry, Physics and Microbiology, Third Edition, Volume 1: General Aspects. Elsevier Academic Press. pp. 1–3. ISBN   0-1226-3652-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ John, Smith (1860). The Principles and Practice of Vegetarian Cookery. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. p. 26.
  20. ↑ "Is Cheese a Vegetarian Food?". The Vegetarian. 3 (7): 106–110. 1898.
  21. ↑ "Vegetarian Cheese Rennet". The Examiner. July 28, 1883. p. 2.(subscription required)
  22. ↑ "Vegetarian Cheese". The Edinburgh Evening News. August 2, 1883. p. 4.(subscription required)
  23. ↑ Kothavalla, Z. R; Khubchandani, P. G. (1940). "Withania Coagulans as a Vegetable Rennet". Indian Journal of Veterinary Science. 10 (3): 284–288.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ Yacoubou, Jeanne (2012). "Microbial Rennets and Fermentation Produced Chymosin (FPC): How Vegetarian Are They?". The Vegetarian Resource Group. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024.
  25. ↑ Bhagavad Gita 5.18 Archived 2009-09-17 at the Wayback Machine "The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]."
  26. 1 2 "Animals in Hinduism, second paragraph". Hinduwebsite.com. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  27. ↑ Filippini, Massimo; Srinivasan, Suchita (2019-10-01). "Impact of religious participation, social interactions and globalization on meat consumption: Evidence from India". Energy Economics. Eighth Atlantic Workshop on Energy and Environmental Economics. 84: 104550. doi:10.1016/j.eneco.2019.104550. ISSN   0140-9883. S2CID   211301067.
  28. ↑ "U.S. could feed 800 million people with grain that livestock eat". News.cornell.edu. 1997-08-07. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
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  31. ↑ Mariotti, François; Gardner, Christopher D. (2019). "Dietary Protein and Amino Acids in Vegetarian Diets—A Review". Nutrients. 11 (11): 2661. doi: 10.3390/nu11112661 . PMC   6893534 . PMID   31690027.
  32. ↑ Alter, Joseph S. (1992). "The Discipline of the Wrestler's Body". In The Wrestler's Body Identity and Ideology in North India. University of California Press. ISBN   978-0520076976
  33. ↑ Natubhai Shah (2004). Jainism: The World of Conquerors. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. pp. 249–251. ISBN   978-81-208-1938-2.
  34. ↑ "VEGETARIAN-FOOD AND JAIN-CONDUCT, Honey".
  35. ↑ Clarke, Peter B. (2004). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Taylor & Francis. pp. 425-426. ISBN   978-1134499700
  36. ↑ "Vegetarianism". namdhari-world.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  37. ↑ "A Namdhari Sikh's Testimony". ivu.org. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  38. ↑ Nesbitt, Eleanor (2015). "The Fools Argue about Flesh and Meat': Sikhs and Vegetarianism". Religions of South Asia. 9 (1): 81–101. doi:10.1558/rosa.v9i1.22123.
  39. 1 2 "The Fools Argue about Flesh and Meat’: Sikhs and Vegetarianism". damdamitaksal.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  40. ↑ Erik Marcus (2000). Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating. McBooks Press, Incorporated. ISBN   9781590133446.
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