• Pescatarianism
• Semi-vegetarianism
• Lacto-ovo vegetarianism
• Veganism
• Raw veganism

Pescatarianism is not as strict as completely vegetarian diet. A Pescatarian will not eat meat coming from any animals, except that from fish. This is one of the healthier vegetarian diets for people who cannot eat high protein foods besides meat (for example a person allergic to nuts or diary products). Fish contains good fats and is high in protein as well, which keeps skin, nails, and hair healthy. Many people choose this type of vegetarianism because of the health benefits associate with this diet.

Semi-vegetarianism refers to people who generally remain vegetarian, but will occasionally eat meat. These vegetarians may not receive as much of the health benefits associated with being a full vegetarian, but have less of a risk of developing anemia from a lack of iron. These vegetarians are doing their part in helping the environment without making major life-style alterations. People who grew up eating large amounts of meat can sustain this type of diet longer than if they were cut out meat all together because their body will begin to crave the meat it is used to consuming, possibly resulting in a "meat binge."

The most common form of vegetarianism is lacto-ovo, lacto meaning dairy and ovo referring to eggs. The idea of this diet is that animals are not harmed in the production of food. By continuing to consume eggs and dairy products, these vegetarians can easily acquire important nutrients such as protein and calcium. Animals that need large amounts of land to graze, such as cattle, contribute to most of the deforestation in the Amazon and other areas of land. The loss of trees causes more carbon dioxide to build up in the atmosphere, resulting in warmer temperatures on Earth.

Veganism is much stricter than the previously mentioned versions of vegetarianism. No animal products are consumed, including gelatin that contains the bones of animals. A "true" vegan also refrains from purchasing items made from animals, such as leathers and furs. Many vegans even avoid the use of products that have been tested on animals.

Raw veganism is much like regular veganism in the sense that no animals are harmed, but the foods eaten are eaten raw rather than cooked to avoid the burning of fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, vegetarianism does have its downside. Many people don't realize how many nutrients they are missing in their diet when they make such a drastic change. Before becoming a vegetarian, you should research how to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Milk is an excellent source of calcium, but because vegans exclude dairy products from their diet, the calcium needs to come from somewhere else. Dark colored, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli naturally contain calcium and many juices are fortified with calcium. Protein can be found in nuts and seeds, which are a great option for vegans. Other vegetarians can also consume eggs and diary to get their daily dose of protein.

There are companies out there that produce meat-like products for vegetarians. My personal favorite is Boca. Boca makes a variety of "burgers" and sausages. These foods are also much healthier than their meat counterparts because they contain less fat, no cholesterol, more fiber, and much needed iron to prevent anemia.