Final answer:
A vegetarian who excludes all animal products from their diet is known as a vegan. They obtain necessary proteins by combining different plant foods that, when eaten together, provide a complete set of essential amino acids. Vegans must plan their diet thoughtfully to ensure they receive all necessary nutrients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a vegetarian who omits all animal foods from their diet is vegan. Vegans can ensure that they are getting the protein that their cells need to grow through a concept known as protein complementation. This process involves combining different plant-based foods that, together, provide all the essential amino acids that the body requires for proper function.
Plants don't usually provide complete proteins (those containing all essential amino acids) like animal products do. Therefore, vegans must consume a variety of plant-based proteins throughout the day. Some combinations that create a full protein profile include rice and beans, hummus and pita bread, or peanut butter and whole-wheat bread. These foods in combination can provide a complete amino acid profile, similar to that of animal proteins.
People choose vegan lifestyles for various reasons including health concerns, ethical considerations for animal life, environmental reasons, or religious beliefs. However, it's important to carefully plan a vegan diet to ensure it's nutritionally adequate. While avoiding animal products, vegans need to ensure a balanced intake of nutrients from alternative sources to maintain good health.