Vegetarian Diets: Conceptualization Health Outcomes, Nutritional Concerns, and Explicit Features – An Indian Perspective

Abstract

Vegetarian has its origin in the Latin word “vigitore” meaning “to give strength and health.” Modern concise Oxford dictionary defines a vegetarian to be “a person who doesn’t eat meat or fish for moral, religious, or health reasons.” Vegetarianism has very ancient roots and its history comprises many diverse characters and events. The practice has been apparent in many cultures all over the world. In Asia, particularly India, absenteeism from meat was the core of early religious philosophies such as Hinduism, Brahmanism, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism. With time and scientific advancements, there were a greater understanding and linking of vegetarian diets with health apart from its association with religion and spiritual contexts. There exist many differences between an Indian vegetarian diet and a Western vegetarian diet. Some of the prominent features of which are lower intake of fruits and vegetables, high-carbohydrate and high-glycemic diets, higher intake of milk and milk products, quality and nature of fat, and snacking behavior.