A Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is basically a plant-based diet that includes eggs and dairy products but excludes other animal products. The word “Lacto” means dairy products whereas, “ovo” means eggs. People adopt this kind of diet due to ethical, religious, and health reasons.
Many studies suggest that this kind of diet is a healthier choice for many people. A well-planned Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet has a number of health benefits, here are some of the major benefits of this diet.
Benefits Of Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet
- A Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
- It helps you decrease the intake of saturated fats and increase the intake of healthy foods.
- It is also beneficial for improving the sensitivity to a hormone that is supposed to regulate blood sugar levels in your body.
- Because it is a plant-based diet therefore it helps you improve your digestion system.
- It can help you to support weight loss or maintain a healthy weight.
- Just like other vegetarian diets, Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet makes you feel full for a long time and prevent overeating.
- Consuming meat every day is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, however, being a Lacto ovo-vegetarian you can improve your heart health.
- It might be beneficial for lowering the risk of gallstone diseases.
How To Start A Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet?
According to a vegetarian society, vegans or vegetarians don’t eat meat or animal products at all. However, they can consume vegetables and fruits which are very beneficial for adopting healthy eating habits. Being a Lacto-ovo vegetarian you can consume the following foods:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole eggs of egg whites
- Dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Nuts and seed
- Whole grains legumes
- Healthy fats such as hemp oil, olive oil, and avocado oil
Here are some of the tips that will help you to start your journey toward a Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet
1. Understand what Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet actually is
The very first step for starting Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is educating yourself about this diet. You should know the difference between all the types of vegetarian diets. Being a Lacto-ovo vegetarian you have to say goodbye to all animal products except for eggs and dairy products.
2. Know the pros and cons
A Lacto-vegetarian diet might help you lower the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancer types. It also helps you develop healthy eating habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, you need to search for the cons or drawbacks of this diet.
3. Consume the important nutrients
While this diet plan, you have to consume a full range of nutrients that are essential for your body. Extra attention should be given to the intake of protein, iron, zinc, and omega-3. The best way to consume nutrients is to eat a variety of veggies, fruits, legumes, eggs, and dairy products.
4. Try different cuisines
Try different cuisines and new foods so that you will not get bored of sticking to this diet. Avoiding animal products doesn’t mean that this diet plan is boring. You can cook a variety of foods using vegetables and grains. Try different recipes and make your meal enjoyable.
5. Try substitutions
If you have a recipe that requires meat or any other animal product, you can try different meat substitutions like tempeh, seitan, or tofu.
FAQs
What is the meaning of Lacto-ovo?
The word “Lacto” means dairy products and “ovo” means eggs. Lacto-ovo is a type of vegetarian diet in which you have to avoid all animal products except for eggs and dairy products.
Do Lacto-ovo vegetarians drink milk?
Lacto-ovo vegetarians can consume milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs, but they can’t eat meat or other animal products.
The Bottom Line
If you are trying ways to reduce the intake of animal products, you can try a Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. This diet can help you increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are beneficial for your overall health.