World Vegetarian Day (WVD) is annually celebrated across the globe on October 1st to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism. The day celebrates all the positive aspects that are associated with being vegetarian.
World Vegetarian Day marks the beginning of Vegetarian Awareness Month, which begins on 1st October and concludes on 1st November, World Vegan Day.
Background:
World Vegetarian Day (WVD) was established by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) in 1977 and in 1978, the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) endorsed the observance of WVD.
About Vegetarianism:
i. Vegetarianism is the practice of excluding all forms of flesh (meat, fowl, and seafood).
ii. The diet of vegetarians contains vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and nuts, with or without the addition of milk products and eggs.
History of Vegetarians:
i. The term ‘Vegetarian’ replaced Pythagorean in the 19th Century (1847) in Ramsgate, England when the 1st vegetarian society was formed.
ii. Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher and Mathematician called the father of Vegetarianism and was an advocate of the vegetarian diet. The diet was named after him.
Types of Vegetarian Diets:
i. Lacto-vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as foods that contain them. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter, are included.
ii. Ovo-vegetarian diets exclude meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, but allow eggs.
iii. Lacto-Ovo vegetarian diets exclude meat, fish and poultry, but allow dairy products and eggs.
iv. Pescatarian diets exclude meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs, but allow fish.
v. Vegan diets exclude meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products.
About the International Vegetarian Union (IVU):
Chair of IVU- Marly Winckler
Headquarters- Dresden, Germany.
Establishment- 1908
