All vegetarians rely heavily on whole grains, fruits and vegetables and avoid red meat.
But the extent to which dairy, eggs and other animal products are avoided varies considerably. When talking with a teen about their interest in vegetarianism, try to learn which foods they intend to eliminate from their diet. Semi-vegetarians avoid red meat but generally eat dairy, egg products, fish, and fowl. Lacto-ovo vegetarians avoid fowl, fish and red meat, but eat eggs and dairy products. Lacto vegetarians avoid all animal products and eggs, but will consume dairy products.