Which animal product does an ovo-vegetarian eat?

An ovo-vegetarian eats eggs as an animal product.

“Ovo” comes from the Latin word ovum, meaning egg. An ovo-vegetarian diet excludes meat, fish, and dairy products while permitting eggs. Some definitions also include honey, although practices vary among individuals and vegetarian organizations.

This diet differs from lacto-vegetarianism, which allows dairy but not eggs. A person who eats both eggs and dairy is generally called a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Vegans exclude eggs, dairy, honey, and other animal-derived foods entirely, so an ovo-vegetarian is not vegan.

Eggs provide protein and nutrients such as choline and vitamin B12, but ovo-vegetarians still need to plan meals carefully because eliminating dairy can reduce sources of calcium and vitamin D. Fortified plant milks, leafy greens, beans, tofu, and supplements may help fill those nutritional gaps. The exact boundaries of vegetarian diets can differ, but eggs are the defining animal product in the term “ovo-vegetarian.”