10/27/97- Updated 01:05 AM ET
Alternative eating plans
The raw-food diet is only one of several alternatives taking hold in the
USA. But the differences can be confusing. Barbara Haspel, co-author
of the healthy eating newsletter Dreaded Broccoli, distinguishes the
Ovo-lacto vegetarian. "The standard-issue vegetarian," she says.
They eat no meat, and usually no fish, but they do eat animal products
like eggs, cheese and other dairy foods. "In other words," Haspel says,
"if something had to die to produce it, they don't eat it. But they do eat
things that are produced by living animals."
Vegans. They consume no foods produced by any animals, Haspel
says. That means no meat, no dairy, no eggs, not even honey. "Some
undertake the vegan diet for health reasons, some for moral reasons
because they don't believe in having slave animals."
Fruitarians. An offshoot of the raw-food diet, and even more of a
niche, Haspel says. Like rawists, fruitarians eat only fruits and
vegetables that are botanically considered fruits, such as green peppers
and tomatoes. "Fruitarians believe you should only eat plants that
spread their seeds through being consumed." For example, digging up a
root vegetable violates the plant's integrity. "To eat an apple, however,
scattering the seeds far from the tree, is to make a contribution to the
Macrobiotics. It's a Zen thing, Haspel says. "And it's based on the
need to keep the principles of yin and yang, the ancient Chinese theory
of contrary forces, in balance in our bodies." The guidelines to the
macrobiotic diet are pretty flexible, she says, but generally consist of
50% brown rice, "the food that perfectly balances yin and yang," 20%
beans and 30% leafy green vegetables, including some seaweed.
By Cathy Hainer, USA TODAY