I’m continuing my quest to find a diet that works best for me. A lifestyle change that is sustainable, provides optimal health and does not compromise my workouts and running. That’s not too much to ask is it?
Remember the juicing I started mid-February, My Personal Juicing Challenge? After the first week of replacing 1 meal a day (on days that I’m wasn’t running) with juice I changed it to 7 days per week. I’m loving it! So much so that this week I’m taking it a step further. For the next 9 days (10 days total) I’m trying a vegetarian diet. More specifically, as it turns out, a Lacto Vegetarian. My menu for this week is fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, protein powder, Shakeology, greek yogurt and cottage cheese.
I knew the range of vegetarian diets varied. With a little googling I now have them clearly defined:
Flexatarian (Semivegetarian)
Eats mostly plant-based foods; occasionally eats animal products as well as fish, poultry and meat.
Pollo-Vegetarian
Eats poultry such as chicken, turkey and duck.
Pescetarian
Eats fish and seafood, but no meat.
Lacto-Ovo Vegetraian
Eats dairy products and eggs.
Lacto Vegetarian
Eats dairy products.
Classic Vegetarian
Eats a diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts; no meat, poultry or fish.
Vegan
Follows a strict vegetarian diet that excludes animal-derived products like butter.
Raw Foodist
Eats no plant-based foods heated above 115 to 118 degrees.
As I write this post I’m realizing that vegetarian is the natural progression of my diet. In June of last year I started with changing to clean eating with a 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge and have been a clean eater ever since.
Clean Eating
“Consuming food in its most natural state- or as close as possible to it—is the soul of clean eating. It’s not a diet; it’s a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to health, well-being and a lean look.” -Clean Eating Magazine
Then, with eating less poultry, fist and meat beginning mid-February when I started juicing to now with no meat, poultry or fish. Maybe this is the nutritional lifestyle change I’ve been looking for?
Did you realize there was such a wide range of vegetarian diets? If you were going to try a vegetarian diet which one would work best for you?
Tagged: clean eating, diet, health, juicing, nutrition, vegetarian
I'm a wife, mom of 2, Swiftwick, FitFluential, Sweat Pink and Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador that is passionate about running, plant-based nutrition, fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle. Living a healthy life is not about perfection. It's about commitment, effort and progress! 
I was a lacto-vegetarian for a long time and then I became a pescatarian becuase I found that for me, I needed that extra protein that I could get from fish.
Good luck on your challenge! I am excited to see how it goes!
Kyria recently posted..One Year Ago
Thanks Kyria. I’m not sure what will work for me so I picked a starting point and will decide from there. I’ll know when it’s right
jillconyers recently posted..The Vegetarian Spectrum
I have been a flexatarian my entire adult life, experimenting a bit with Lacto-ovo vegetarian and veganism. I know for a fact, veganism is not the route for me. I found it to be extremely restrictive and nearly impossible to eat outside my home. I like going meatless, every now and again, but I think I do best (energy, weight, enjoyment) when I eat mostly a plant-based diet with fish, chicken and turkey a few times a week and some dairy.
Just curious, but what is your goal in finding a new diet? More energy? Better performance? Weight loss?
BTW, I’m taking an extended blog break, so I won’t be linking up on Fridays until the Fall.
E-mail me about how you are doing in Phase 3. I love it. Upper, Complex One is a KILLER for me. Especially holding that med-ball plank for 60 seconds. Have not been able to do it yet…but my goal is do to do all 4 of them by the end of the month!!!
Sandy @ God Speaks Today recently posted..Now, About That Blog Break
Hi Sandy. I don’t actually have a goal (did I really just say that?). I want it all except not necessarily the weight loss. I don’t know how to put it except to say I’ll know when I’ve found what will work for me. I’m usually a numbers and data person but for this it will just be a feeling. KWIM?
I’ll email you about X2
this is SO interesting. i rarely eat chicken or any meat…i just dont love the taste but when i do eat meat…i eat chicken so i think i may already be a lacto-pollo-vegetarian. i can combine the different categories…right!?! haha. i think its fantastic the commitment you have made to clean eating!
Yes. I say combine! Find what works for you. Thanks Julia.
jillconyers recently posted..The Vegetarian Spectrum
great post! i am going to reference it at the end of the vegan challenge! i know most folks will not stay vegan, i won’t and they need to understand what options there are.
so far vegan has been far easier than anticipated! but i’m not a juicer…i just always feel hungry when i tried it
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted..Vegan Week One: Food
That would be great Amanda!
With juicing I was hungry at first but I’ve managed to tweak my daily menus and it all balances out without an unusual feeling of being hungry.
jillconyers recently posted..The Vegetarian Spectrum
I’m pollo-vegetarian!
Good luck figuring out what works for you
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..One Thing Missing
Thanks Jamie.
jillconyers recently posted..The Vegetarian Spectrum
I’ve been eating a plant-based (vegan) diet for 6 months and just PR’d my marathon by over 20 minutes – so you can definitely get all the nutrients you need without animal products.
I think the “trick” to any eating style is to eat a balanced diet – don’t make the mistake of replacing your normal protein with a carb (so many people do that when trying vegetarian), look for a quality protein replacement. Lentils, beans, tempeh, tofu, seitan, etc.
Good luck!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Review of Vega One: Smoothies & On-the-Go Drinks
I’m typically a flexitarian, but am doing Amanda’s vegan challenge for March and really enjoying it! Don’t think I could keep it up forever though, I’m missing eggs and just a bite of cheese now and then would be nice.
Laura recently posted..Addicted to running
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