Special diets

Reasons that influence food choiceReligion – (Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish).Health – reduce cholesterol (red meat & fat).Animal welfare – believe animals should notbe killed for food or object to how they arereared (intensive farming).Taste – some people don’t like the taste ortexture of meat.Allergy or intolerance – some people can not eatsome food groups e.g. nuts, dairy foods, flour.Environmental issues – pollution, expense &

quantityproduced (meat more expensive than crops).

Types of vegetarian

Type of vegetarian

What they will not eat

Semi or demi vegetarian

Don’t eat red meat but will eat fish and poultry

Lacto-ovo vegetarian Don’t eat meat, poultry or fish but will eat dairy products and eggs

Lacto vegetarian Don’t eat meat, poultry, fish, or eggs but will eat dairy products

Ovo vegetarian Don’t eat meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, but will eat eggs

Vegans Don’t eat meat, poultry, fish or animal products including eggs and dairy products

Medical terms;

Term Meaning

Allergy(reaction to milk protein)

An adverse reaction to the body to certain substances e.g. nuts.

Food intolerance

(intolerance to milk sugar, lactose)

Condition that requires someone to avoid a certain food because of the affect on the body.

Allergic reaction

The way in which the body responds to some foods, for example: a rash, swelling and anaphylactic shock.

What should they avoid?

Diabetes No special diet; dietary guidelines

Low fat diet Fatty foods or high fat ingredients

Low salt diet Salt or processed foods

Nut allergy(anaphylaxis)

Avoid nuts

Lactose intolerance

Avoid drinking milk but can eat cheese and yogurt (lactose

converted to lactic acid)

Gluten intolerance(coeliac disease)

Avoid products made from wheat, barley, oats, or rye