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Omnivorous diets are the most common in the world. Consisting of both animal and vegetable foods, they are the easiest to nutritionally balance in terms of protein,vitamins, and other nutrients.

Carnivorous diets consist of only animal flesh, which has highly concentrated forms of complete protein, fats of various types and amounts, almost zero fiber, and some—but not all—vitamins and minerals. The protein in flesh is useful for growth functions and tissue repair,but needs to be augmented by other sources of fiber,B-complex vitamins, vitamins C and E, and minerals. Many, if not most, people are carnivorous, but only as part of an omnivorous diet.

Vegetarian diets mean different things to different people. Some people will eat chicken and/or fish and still call themselves a vegetarian of one sort or another. The lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet is the most common vegetarian diet, consisting of cow by-products, such as milk and cheese (the lacto- portion), chicken eggs (the ovo- portion), and plant products (the vegetarian portion). Some lacto-ovo vegetarians, however, avoid either milk products or eggs.

A lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet supplies a balanced supply of calcium, iron, vitamin B-12, and adequate complete protein if enough calories are ingested to avoid using the protein as fuel for the body. Throughout the ages (and until quite recently) most people have been primarily vegetarians because their access to meat was infrequent. Some advocates argue the human body is more adapted to vegetarianism because of its long and convoluted intestinal system. They say carnivores have shorter intestinal systems so meat can transit sooner before it has a chance to “putrify.” Others argue that we have the enzymes to digest and that if we weren’t designed to eat meat, we wouldn’t be able to.

In general, vegetarians enjoy lower incidences of hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and some types of cancer as shown by studies of vegetarian populations. But potential problems for vegetarians include insufficient iron and vitamin B-12, which can lead to pernicious anemia, if those nutrients are not supplemented.

The vegan diet is the purest form of vegetarianism. No animal products of any sort are eaten, ie, no eggs, milk, butter, cheese, or other milk products. Vegans consume only vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Some vegans even avoid honey because they feel bees work as slaves to feed their masters (people), and honey might contain bee fragments.

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