dirt; and are not killed automatically when they reach
a certain age.
Description
There is no ‘‘typical’’ ovovegetarian diet; however,
several popular diets can be easily adapted by
ovovegetarians.
Mediterranean diets
Mediterranean diets are not purely ovovegetar-
ian. They are, however, sparing in their use of red
meat and eggs, and low in their use of fish and poul-
try. Ovovegetarians can simply cut meat, fish, and
dairy ingredients from Mediterranean recipes, or use
almond orsoymilk in place of cow’s milk. Mediter-
ranean diets appeal to many people because of their
wide choice of flavorful foods and their generous use
of fresh vegetables and whole-grain breads.
Ornish diet
Developed by a medical doctor to reverse the signs
of heart disease, the Ornish diet has also been popu-
larized as a weight-loss program. It is a strict low-fat,
high-fiber dietthat excludes red meat, poultry, and
fish, although ovovegetarians following this diet may
use limited amounts of egg whites.
Seventh-day Adventist diet
Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) have followed
vegetarian dietary regimens since the denomination
was first organized in 1863. The diet recommended
by the church’s General Conference Nutrition Council
(GCNC) in the early 2000s is an ovolactovegetarian
diet high in whole-grain breads and pastas, fresh veg-
etables and fruits; moderate use of nuts, seeds, and
low-fat dairy products; and limited use of eggs. Some
SDAs prefer a vegan diet, however, which indicates
that the GCNC diet can be easily modified for ovove-
getarians as well. The church has its own professional
organization for dietitians, which is affiliated with the
ADA, and encourages all its members to follow the
ADA guidelines for vegetarians.
Some ovovegetarian recipes
HUNGARIAN OMELET.Ingredients: 1 tbsp. olive
oil; 1 small onion, sliced; 1/4 of a small red pepper,
sliced and seeds removed; 2 medium tomatoes, peeled
and sliced; 1 tsp. paprika; 2 beaten eggs; salt to taste;
chopped fresh parsley or chives (garnish).
Cooking instructions: Heat 1 tsp. olive oil in a
saucepan and saute ́ the onion and pepper until soft.
Add tomatoes and paprika and cook gently (about 5
minutes) until mixture is soft. Add salt to taste. Heat
remaining olive oil in an omelet pan. Beat two tbsp.
waterinto the eggs to lighten the mixture; cook eggs in
the omelet pan. To serve: fill the omelet with the
tomato mixture and top with parsley or chives.
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE ́.Ingredients: 1 cup soy
milk; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 tsp. salt; 3 tbsp. margarine; 1
tsp. nutmeg; 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes; 2 eggs,
separated; 1/2 cup raisins; 1/2 cup chopped pecans;
miniature marshmallows (topping).
Cooking instructions: Scald soy milk; add sugar,
salt, margarine, nutmeg, and mashed sweet potatoes;
beat until fluffy. Beat egg yolks and add to sweet
potato mixture. Add raisins and pecans. Beat egg
whites until stiff; fold into sweet potato mixture and
pour into a greased baking dish. Bake in a moderate
oven (350F) for 50 to 60 minutes or until firm. Top
wit miniature marshmallows and brown in oven.
Serves 8.
POTATO PANCAKES.Ingredients: 2 large white
potatoes; 1/2 onion; 1 egg; pepper to taste; 1/2 tsp.
salt; 1/3 cup flour; 1/2 cup water.
Cooking instructions: Peel potatoes and put in
food processor with the onion and water. Process
and drain through a paper towel placed in a colander.
In a separate small bowl, beat the egg together with the
salt and pepper, and add to the drained potato/onion
mixture. Stir well; then stir in flour. Drop by 1/4-
cupfuls into hot oil in a large frying pan, and flatten
the mixture while frying over medium heat. Fry until
golden-brown on the outside. May be served with
applesauce, stewed apples, soy-based sour cream, or
soy-based yogurt.Function
Vegetarian diets in general, and ovovegetarian
diets in particular, are adopted by people in developed
countries primarily for ethical or religious reasons
rather than economic necessity. Another more recent
reason is the growing perception that plant-based diets
are a form of preventive health care for people at
increased risk of such diseases as heart disease, type 2
diabetes and some forms ofcancer. According to a
survey conducted by the editors ofVegetarian Journal
in 1997, 82% of the respondents gave health concerns
as their primary reason for becoming vegetarians, with
animal rights a close second.Benefits
The benefits of an ovovegetarian diet include
those of vegetarian diets in general, namely loweredOvovegetarianism