Final answer:
Someone who doesn't eat meat can be called a vegetarian, while a vegan avoids all animal products. Plant proteins from a variety of foods provide them with essential amino acids. Careful dietary planning is essential for vegetarians and vegans to maintain a healthy and balanced intake of nutrients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Someone who doesn't eat meat is generally referred to as a vegetarian. Vegans take this a step further and avoid all animal products, including dairy and eggs. To obtain the necessary proteins for cell growth, vegans and vegetarians must consume a variety of plant-based foods that collectively provide all the essential amino acids required for a healthy diet. This is achievable through careful planning and combining different plant proteins such as legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds in their meals. While individual plant foods might not contain complete proteins, these combinations ensure an adequate intake of essential amino acids.
Vegetarians and vegans often choose this lifestyle due to health reasons, ethical concerns, religious beliefs, or ecological considerations. Even among those who prioritize environmental sustainability, there is room for flexibility, as some may adopt a flexitarian approach, where the consumption of meat is significantly reduced but not entirely eliminated, allowing for infrequent indulgences in animal products.
For someone embracing vegetarianism, it's important to be knowledgeable about nutrition to ensure they are meeting all their dietary needs. Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds can provide the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet. However, one must be vigilant about consuming enough calories and getting sufficient protein, calcium, iron, and other minerals.