Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Verve

Originally Created: 9/25/07 at 11:54 PM CST
Last Updated: 9/25/07 at 11:53 PM CST

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When sophomore Isabelle Lankhorst made the choice to become a vegetarian seven years ago, it was to do something different. But now it's about much more. It's about animal rights and health and Lankhorst has made a total lifestyle change.

But just because she doesn't eat red meat, chicken or fish doesn't mean her choices are limited to only salads.

"I don't eat a lot of salads," Lankhorst said. "There are some really good salads out there, but I prefer to be interesting."

If Lankhorst goes to a restaurant, she said she tries to get a variation of an entrée without the meat. For instance, at a Mexican restaurant, she'll generally order fajitas without meat. When she's at home, she likes to make entrées that are more unique.

"I like to just take whatever is in the refrigerator and try to make something out of it, just be creative," Lankhorst said. "I know you could stick to the staples, but if you want longevity as a vegetarian, you're going to have to be willing to be adventurous."

One of her favorite meals to cook at home is spaghetti, where vegetables take the place of beef in the sauce.

"Basically whatever is in season will go into the sauce," she said. "There's carrots, zucchini, squash, olives and a little cheese."

Lankhorst considers herself a strict vegetarian. She doesn't eat any meat, but eats eggs and milk. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group Web site, www.vrg.org, Lankhorst is a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

There are various types of vegetarians. An ovo-vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, fowl or dairy products, but can eat egg products. A lacto-vegetarian does not eat meat, fish, fowl or eggs, but eats dairy products. Semi-vegetarians may not eat red meat but may eat fish.

A vegan is the strictest type of vegetarian. Vegans do not eat any animal products including meat, fish, fowl, eggs, dairy, or honey and most vegans do not use any animal products such as wool or leather.

In a 2006 poll, the Vegetarian Resource Group found that 2.3 percent of adults consider themselves vegetarian and they never eat beef, poultry or fish/seafood. Another 6.7 percent said they never eat beef.

Junior Molly O'Connor was a semi-vegetarian for two and a half years and did not eat any red meat or chicken, but ate fish, eggs and dairy. O'Connor started eating meat again at the end of this summer. She said it was hard to adjust to having meat in her diet again.

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