— the way of life which is characterized first of all by the food excluding consumption of meat of any animals. There is also a movement the movement — veganism at which refuse use of all animal products as in food (milk of mammals, eggs), and in life (fur, leather, etc.).
The term vegetarianism comes from English vegetable (plant, vegetable). The word gained special popularity after creation of Vegetarian society in 1847, however also earlier cases of the use are known. Others claim that the term came from armor. words vegetus (vigorous, fresh, live).
About Vegetarians
Vegetarians do not eat meat, a bird, fish and seafood of animal origin. Dairy products and eggs are ignored by a part of vegetarians too. Honey also belongs to disputable products. Mushrooms traditionally carry to vegetable food though the modern science allocates them to the certain kingdom.
Some vegetarians, except food, also ignore and:
clothes and other products which parts are made of fur, skin it.
products which part components of animal origin (such as glycerin [4], gelatin) are
the products which passed test for animals.
The most known subspecies of vegetarians
Vegans eat only vegetable food and boycott any products in which production animal products were somehow used.
Syroyeda eat only the crude or undergone very short heat treatment food.
Frutoriantsa eat crude fruits of plants (fruit and berries, nuts, seeds). Careful attitude not only to animals, but also to plants practices.
Historical essay
Vegetarianism practiced throughout the millennia in the countries where such religions as the Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism are widespread. Adherents of some philosophical schools (for example, Pythagoreans) were vegetarians also. In India, according to different data, vegetarians and now are from 20% to 60% of the population of the country. Before emergence of the term vegetarianism, this diet was called Indian or Pythagorean. In 2010 the collection of unknown compositions of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy in which he brings up the subject of vegetarianism and its influence on own life and society was published.
The reasons for which became (become) vegetarians:
Moral — not to inflict suffering on animals.
Medical — the vegetarian diet is capable to reduce risk of atherosclerosis, cancer, a number of cardiovascular diseases and some diseases of digestive tract.
Religious beliefs.
Economic — conviction that the vegetarian diet helps to save the money spent for cultivation and consumption of meat products.
The ecological reasons - production of meat in modern conditions and scales — one of the reasons of the menacing state of environment
Famous vegetarians: Bryan Adams, Pamela Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Leonardo da Vinci, Richard Gere, Jim Jarmusch, Bob Dylan, Mikhail Zadornov, Samyuel L. Jackson, Clint Eastwood, Jim Carrey, Jared Leto, Maddona, Paul McCartney, Alyssa Milano, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Petrou, Edward Ferlong, Adriano Celentano.
Continuation: All truth about vegetarianism. Part II: What does vegetarianism give us?