Final answer:
A lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern is primarily plant-based and includes dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. It's important to consume a variety of foods to obtain all essential amino acids and nutrients, and using MyPlate can help in planning a balanced diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lacto-vegetarian dietary pattern is primarily plant-based but does include dairy products. This type of diet emphasizes the consumption of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes while incorporating dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. The focus is on obtaining nutrients from plant sources and dairy, with a lesser reliance on meat for protein. When planning a healthy diet, it's essential to ensure that one gets adequate calories, protein, and essential minerals such as calcium and iron. One can utilize tools such as MyPlate to visually guide the proportions of different food types required for a balanced diet.
It's important to note that although vegetarian diets can be very healthy, careful planning is necessary to make sure that all nutritional needs are met, especially in terms of protein and certain minerals. Plant foods do not contain all essential amino acids, so it is important for lacto-vegetarians to eat a variety of foods to ensure a complete amino acid profile. Dairy products can provide protein, calcium, and other nutrients necessary for a balanced diet. When choosing low-fat or non-fat dairy options, these can contribute to a healthy eating pattern that offers the most nutrients with the fewest calories.