Why are there different levels of vegetarianism?

I'm not a vegetarian and probably never could be, but I admire the convictions of those who are. Yet, there's something I don't get. Why are there different types? I read that some vegetarians avoid red meats, pork & poultry, but they will eat eggs, fish and seafood. If you believe that it's best not to eat meat, isn't it all the same? If the life of an animal is the life of an animal, and you feel it's wrong to kill and consume them, then shouldn't all vegetarians be veegans (if I'm spelling that right)? Please educate me!

Hello, it's nice that you want to learn about us vegetarians and vegans. First off, the level at which you consume animal products is a personal decision. Vegans choose to not consume and use animal products all together because they think all of it is cruel. Vegetarians, however, choose their level based on personal preferences like what foods they like or what foods they actually need. Ovo-vegetarians for example eat eggs. This could be because they like eggs and/or because it could be due to a health condition; maybe they need extra protein in their diet due to a disorder or maybe they are allergic to these products. Lacto- vegetarians choose to not eat meat or eggs, but still consume dairy. Maybe they choose this choice because they need calcium or because they really like icecream, for example! Finally, Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat both dairy and egg products because of the reasons stated above. I for one am a lacto-ovo vegetarian because I like products containing dairy (chocolate, icecream, cheese, etc) and although I dislike eggs, I still eat products that may contain them, like cookies or bread. I also choose to still consume foods with egg and dairy deriviatives because I don't consider it cruel to animals. That's my input. Have a great day!

Just so they'll feel better about eating meat. News flash: fish and poultry ARE types of meat. So, if you eat fish and/or poultry and are calling yourself a vegetarian, you're NOT. True vegetarians don't eat any meat. It annoys me to no end when people call themselves vegetarians and then eat fish/poultry because it doesn't have fur. Just because it doesn't have fur doesn't mean it's suddenly classified as a vegetable. They're still animals, dammit, and they still feel pain.

its vegan~
many people have different reasons to go vegetarian. some people are just more extreme than others. i am a lacto-ovo vegetarian. its all about choices, if ur not even a vegetarain how can u pressure vegetaians into being vegans? u see that ur at fault there, right? (no offense)

Im a vegan but I was attacked by a monkey when I was little so I dont mind eating monkeys. LOL

I think almost everyone cares about animals, really I do, just likes lots of things but when it involves the giving up of something then it is difficult and it is easier to just ignore the problem by pretending that there isnt one. Yes I do think all vegetarians should be vegans ultimately because there is suffering to produce the products that vegetarians consume. But I am very happy there are vegetarians and I think it is a MAJOR step up from the majority of people. And even I am not as pure as I could be (I use Quorn products and honey on occasion). So some might even say that I am not a true vegan but it is more accurate to say I am a vegan than a vegetarian because of my lifestyle choices also. I acknowledge my laziness. So the levels of vegetarianism is the level of commitment that one puts into it.

I originally became a vegetarian by getting into yoga and ayurveda and when I later became a vegan it was weird because in ayurveda dairy is so good for you and considered sattvic or a pure food. But milk is much different today and they way cows are treated is much different. Could these products be made without cruel treatment to the animals? Yes I think that could and that may change my how I feel about others using them but I personally dont really miss them anymore.

To be a vegetarian I think one has to at least follow the rule to eat nothing with eyes. So eating fish and seafood and I wont even mention poultry eating sadists. Honey use is something that I defend primarily because it is seems to be a relationship that benefits the bees as a whole but many would disagree.

I have been vegan going on three years and it is much harder being a vegan than a vegetarian. A vegetarian can eat just about anything besides meat. Vegan is a little more of a challenge because eggs and dairy while easy to avoid by itself is in soooo many products. However it has been the most rewarding thing in my life and I really dont miss meat at all.

you either are or you are not. jsut like quitting smoking.... you can only "quite" once.

there are vegans and there are wanna be faddish people who try to talk the talk but cant walk the walk.
you either eat animals or you dont... everything else is just politics and b.s. its for show and what "other" people think of you and gives them a reason to talk to your sorry ***. :-)
mmmmm wings and burgers...

Well, I personally am a vegetarian, who doesn't eat fish, seafood, or gelatin. I do drink milk, eat eggs, etc. But I do prefer it if they are free range animals.

If a cow wasn't milked, it would get sick. It just doesn't need all those damn hormones. And chickens are going to have eggs, they just don't need to be kept in pens, have their beaks shaved off, and given hormones.
Fish supposivly don't have a brain, so they don't know or care. I know many strict vegetarians who eat fish. I don't actually like seafood, it makes me sick, so that's my resoning.

1. Vegetarians do NOT eat seafood/fish. Too many people walk around announcing they are vegetarians and then grill a tuna steak.

2. Some vegetarians do eat eggs and some dont. The egg is not an animal. It's an unfertilzed egg.

People have different reasons for wanting or not wanting to put certain foods in their mouths. I went Ovo-Lacto Vegetarian when I was 11 years old b/c I didn't like the idea of an animal dying just so I could have a specific food. I felt at the time that eating dairy and eggs was fine b/c I thought that the animals were treated well on small, happy farms. I went vegan about 8 years ago, because I learned how supporting the dairy industry also supported the veal industry which is something I firmly abhor. Also, I learned that the large chicken farms with laying hens often cram so many hens in a cage that they have to cut their beaks off so they don't peck each other to death. The more you learn, the more effort you put into your diet choices.

So they can justify what they eat.

I know a vegetarian who eats pork rinds.

IF it's for animal rights, then yes, it's a bit strange, but it's true that it counts. The more people who thinks like that, the better and the bigger teh impact. No, one more vegetarian won't make a difference. But if the people who don't convert because of that did convert, the impact would be huge.

But there are so many reasons for going vegetarian.
What you're ready for.
For health reasons, fish is better then chicken.
There are too many reasons to list, though.

Well, for the record, a 'vegetarian' who eats seafood is NOT a vegetarian. There are some who claim it's "pesco-vegetarianism" but that is a bull-cr@p term.

OK, now on to eggs and dairy. Since these don't involve the direct killing of animals, there are lacto and ovo-vegetarians who feel it is fine. However vegans feel that by eating milk and eggs, you are contributing to cruelty, including mistreatment of the hens and cows, as well as slaughter of male calves (veal) and male chicks.

Torie, you are not a vegetarian if you eat poultry. Sorry, there is no getting around this. You are just a meat-eater who abstains from red meat. And I can't believe you consider it OK to kill chickens because some attacked you as a kid. They are animals! If a dog bit me, would I be justified in saying I want to eat them? Jesus!

yes there are different leves of vegetarianism

it just depends on what suits your lifestyle

i am a RAW VEGAN meaning i don't eat any cooked or processed foods, but even so there is lots to choose from and it's a really satisfying diet

there are also regular vegans meaning they avoid all lactic product and seafood

and some people just make a concious effort to avoid unhealthy fatty red meat

it really depends on your lifestyle what you like and what you can't live without, if you like fish transition away from it slowly or not at all....just now that whatever shift you make towards vegetarianism will make you happier and contribute to a sustainable earth :) :) :)

power to the people!

Some of us are vegetarians for health reasons or just because we think certain foods are yucky. Not all vegetarians chose to be vegetarians out of concern for animals. Personally I have no ethical problem with killing animals and eating them. I just don't eat them myself because it's yucky.

There are different levels of vegetarianism because people have different beliefs and they become vegetarians for different reasons. My family has been vegetarians for centuries and centuries. Some people believe seafood isn't meat, some people believe eggs isn't meat. What my belief and point of being a vegetarian is not to kill any soul. Animals have souls, thus I wouldn't eat them. I don't eat seafood because they are still animals. I don't eat eggs because well, the eggs would've hatched into chickens or whatever. I do have dairy, because the animal doesn't die in order ot give milk. So basically it's all about your beliefs.

Well the different types are:
Lacto-ovo vegetarian - someone who doesn't eat meat or fish but will eat dairy products and eggs.
Lacto vegetarian - someone who doesn't eat meat or eggs but will eat dairy products.
Ovo vegetarian - someone who doesn't eat meat or dairy products but will eat eggs.
Vegan - someone who doesn't eat or wear any product that comes from an animal.
Pesco vegetarian - someone who will eat fish but not meat.
Pollo vegetarian - someone who won't eat red meat but will eat chicken.
Pesco pollo vegetarian - someone who eats fish and chicken but no red meat.
Fruitarian - someone who eats fruit, nuts, seeds, and other plant material so long as it can be gathered without harming the plant.
Flexitarian - prefer to eat vegetarian but makes exceptions.

Now as for the reasons, it's all very personal. Not every vegetarian is on a crusade for animal rights. Some people cut out red meat because it's healthier. Some people are trying to lower their cholesterol. Others have low enzyme counts and get sick from eating meat so they just avoid it. It all comes down to the individual. For example, I am a flexitarian or sorts. I don't eat red meat because it's unhealthy and the treatment of cattle is atrocious in this country. I don't eat fish because it makes me sick. I only eat eggs and dairy, and occasionally chicken, when I know they came from Polyface Farms, which treats their animals with the respect they deserve.

Ok well I'm a vegetarian and I only eat poultry only because I'm so small I need the protein. There is different types because different people have different beliefs. No not all vegetarians should be vegans. I'm vegetarian because I don't like how the animals are killed, animals can feel too. I don't mind eating chickens because I was attacked by some when I was little. And no it's not all the same your being closed minded.