Is sugar vegetarian / vegan?

For the purposes of this site it is.  US sugar is refined using bovine bones - but according to US laws the bones must be from cows that die of natural causes (like in South Asia).   So although the processing does contain animal products it is from a animal that supposedly does naturally.  I equate it to using sand which has a lot of shells ground up in it.

What is ovo-vegetarian or lacto-vegetarian?

See the TYPES button

What is tallow?

Beef fat

What is rennet (sometimes refered to as renin)?

Rennet can be from animals (in cheese, etc) is a material from the stomach of a calf      ( NOT VEGETARIAN) used to make cheeses.  If the ingredients say €œvegetable rennet€� or vegetable enzymes you are ok, but if it says rennet or renin, or enzymes they can be from an animal source. I do not know if it is true but i was once told a majority of us cheeses are animal rennet free.

Is honey vegan?

Since vegan is not eating any product from an amimal, and since bees are in taxinomically in the animal knigdom, no.  Though many places and people do conside it vegan so whatch out if you do not eat honey.

Is vegetarianism healthy?

Studies have shown that yoga plus a vegetarian diet may reduce heart disease, vegetarians do not usually as big bond as others, etc.  So i would say yes. But there are health risks in regards to protein for people who do not ear beans/lentils/tofu.

Let me just say in India vegetarianism has been a way of life. You simply have  to eat the right foods (i.e. you cannot live off of pasta and salad. Make sure to cover your food groups...eat tofu or fake-meats (see SUPERMARKETS button), eat Indian or Chinese food.  If you are concerned meet with a nutritionist and ask what supplements you should take (make sure the supplements are vegetarian and tell the nutritionist you are a vegetarian or vegan).

Are there any vegetarian friendly cities where lots of things are veg.?

If you are looking for vegetarian and not vegan places try most of India, Berkeley Ca.

I am a student and need more info on vegetarianism?

Please fee free to look through my site. Please also check out veg.org or vrg.org.

I am a student and need to make a good vegetarian meal plan?

Unfortunately we are not nutritionists so cannot recommend anything particular though read the €œis vegetarianism healthy€� FAQ for some leads.

We are dissecting animals in class, how can I get out of it?

Most teachers will let you do virtual dissections (via computer programs) or a report instead - if it is not an option suggest that it should be!

Why are you not offering e-mail?

To offer good e-mail it takes money; we at this time would have to pass the cost down to the users =(

Is wine / beer vegetarian?

The ingredients in wine / beer have no listed animal ingredients (I do not know of a single one that uses animal byproducts). Though they may use animal products in the making of the fluids.  Most wine production uses egg shell, some beers such as Guinness uses animal parts to filter the beer, some hard liquor such as tequila has animals like worms for flavor but most hard liquors do not use this.

Are some diamonds suitable vegetarians?

Some diamond separations use lots of LARD.

Are pearls suitable for vegans?

NO - an oyster IS an animal

Do a lot of regular products have animal byproducts?

Yes - See the ingredient button to the left. In addition items like tires, film, etc. may have animal products in them.