Vegetarianism is the practice of not eating meat, including beef, poultry, fish, and their by-products, with or without the use of dairy products or eggs. The exclusion may also extend to products derived from animal carcasses, such as lard, tallow, gelatin, rennet and cochineal. Some who follow the diet also choose to refrain from wearing clothing that involves the death of animals, such as leather, silk, fur and many down feathers.

While most vegetarians consume dairy products, veganism is a stricter form which excludes dairy, eggs, honey, and any foods that contain these or other animal products. While the term vegetarianism, in a strict sense excludes all meat and fish, some partial-vegetarian diets use the term in their names, such as Pesco/pollo vegetarianism (excludes red meat but not chicken or fish).

Vegetarianism has been common in the Indian subcontinent, for spiritual reasons, such as ahimsa (nonviolence), to avoid indulgences (as meat was considered an indulgence), to reduce bad karmic influences, and for economic reasons. About 30% of Hindus are vegetarians. While vegetarianism is not a dogma or requirement, it is recommended as a sattwic (purifying) lifestyle.