Ovo vegetarianism

Ovo-vegetarians consume eggs, but not dairy or animal flesh.

Comparison of selected vegetarian and semi-vegetarian diets (view template)

		Plants	Dairy	Eggs	Seafood	Poultry	All other animals
Vegetarianism	Ovo-lacto vegetarianism	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
	Ovo vegetarianism	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Lacto vegetarianism	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
	Veganism	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Semi-vegetarianism	Flexitarianism	Yes	Yes	Yes	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes
	Pollotarianism	Yes	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe	Yes	No
	Pescetarianism	Yes	Maybe	Maybe	Yes	No	No

Ovo vegetarianism /ˈoʊvoʊ/ is a type of vegetarianism which allows for the consumption of eggs but not dairy products, in contrast with lacto vegetarianism. Those who practice ovo vegetarianism are called ovo-vegetarians. "Ovo" comes from the Latin word for egg.

Etymology

Ovo vegetarianism was know to be first used in 1952. Ovo comes from the Latin word ovum, meaning egg. Ovo vegetarianism refers to a diet free from meat, fish, and dairy products or ingredients with the exception of eggs.

Motivations

Ethical motivations for excluding dairy products are based on issues with the industrial practices behind the production of milk. Concerns include the practice of keeping a cow constantly pregnant in order for her to lactate and the slaughter of unwanted male calves. Other concerns include the standard practice of separating the mother from her calf and denying the calf its natural source of milk. This contrasts with the industrial practices surrounding egg-laying hens, which produce eggs for human consumption without being fertilized. Ovo-vegetarians often prefer free-range eggs, that is, those produced by uncaged hens. Many ovo-vegetarians refuse to eat fertilized eggs, with balut being an extreme example where the egg has developed.

Some vegetarians are lactose intolerant and have a casein allergy, and are therefore unwilling to consume milk or other dairy products.

Concerns

Ethical concerns about the consumption of eggs arise from the practice of culling male chicks shortly after birth. Practices considered humane for chick culling include maceration and suffocation using carbon dioxide.

One of the main differences between a vegan and an ovo-vegetarian diet is the avoidance of eggs. Vegans do not consume eggs.

See also

• Lacto vegetarianism
• Lacto-ovo vegetarianism
• List of diets
• List of dairy products
• List of vegetable dishes
• List of vegetarian restaurants
• List of egg dishes