We're always surprised when many long time vegetarians are confused by what these vegetarian diet terms mean.
So here's a compendium of standard terms used and their meaning
Vegan
A Vegan consumes no dairy products (milk, butter, eggs) or any other animal products (beef, pork, poultry, fish) or animal derived products such as gelatin.
Many vegans also abstain from eating honey. (Agave syrup is a great substitute.)
Many vegans also abstain from wearing leather or buying leather containing products, such as cars with leather seats.
Raw Vegan
A Vegan (above) who consumes little or no cooked foods (nothing heated beyond 104°F/40°C).
Vegetarian
A Vegetarian, a.k.a. lacto-ovo-vegetarian consumes no animal products (beef, pork, poultry, fish) or animal derived products such as gelatin.
A vegetarian may eat dairy products such as milk, butter, and eggs.
Raw Vegetarian
A Vegetarian (above) who consumes little or no cooked foods (nothing heated beyond 104°F/40°C).
Lacto-Vegetarian
A vegetarian (above) who further abstains from eating eggs.
Ovo-Vegetarian
A vegetarian (above) who may consume eggs but not dairy products.
Semi-Vegetarian or Flexitarian
Someone who is mostly vegetarian, perhaps eating mostly vegetarian at home, but not necessarily when out and it's inconvenient to be vegetarian.
Pescatarian
A vegetarian who may also consume fish.
Pollotarian
A vegetarian who may also consume poultry.
Fruitarian
A vegetarian who consumes only fruit. The risk of malnourishment is high, so many Fruitarians go for 80% fruit, and 20% vegan products.
Breatharian
A person who consumes no food or water and believes one can receive sufficient nutrition via air and sunlight.
Considering, however, that all Breatharian adherents have died from starvation and dehydration, we cannot recommend this path.
