Pure vegetarian

[Symposium]

My daughter is having a new friend round to play and I'm planning to give them lunch. Her mum has said she is a "pure vegetarian " . I feel a bit silly asking her to clarify what that means but will if needed. Can anyone help me out? I've tried googling it but nothing really comes up. I'm guessing she just means strictly vegetarian as in only vegetarian cheese etc. ?

It means no egg in the contexts where I've heard the phrase. As well as vegetarian cheese (no rennet), desserts and snacks (no gelatine), etc.

No egg

I think some Indian religions use this description to mean they eat dairy but not eggs (or meat or fish obviously) but if this isn't likely to be relevant, I'd really ask for clarification because there's a lot of people who talk a lot about being vegetarian but in reality mean that they might eat chick peas when they feel like it but also regularly eat fish and chicken, other meat occasionally and don't restrict foods where the animal component isn't obvious (eg wine, cheese, jelly babies).

I've been accused of being vegetarian twice recently even though I never say anything about my dietary preferences. The people who asked me about my 'vegetarianism' had based this on seeing me eat fish(!) in a restaurant and on another occasion spinach and ricotta canneloni. This is despite them also seeing me eat pork and black pudding.

Basically, in a lot of people's tiny minds being vegetarian simply means 'occasionally eating dinner without red meat in it'.

It means dairy but no eggs, gelatine or parmesan etc. No fish or meat.

Watch for things like authentic meat flavourings in crisps or meat stock in dishes. Basically read all ingredients and have only plant-based or no-egg dairy ones.

I googled, as I'd never heard of it, and many of the replies suggest that pure vegetarianism = veganism.

So no dairy as well as no eggs.

But in this instance, can you not just ask the other mum for clarification? I don't think you'd sound silly - rather the opposite as you're demonstrating that you're taking it seriously and want to cater for her child properly.

It's a very common Indian phrase and usually doesnt mean vegan. Is she Indian? Though you could clarify by asking.
Pizza, pasta, the usual kid friendly stuff will be ok sans parmesan.

Thanks all, I think I will have to ask her mum for clarification. My daughter is pretty sure her friend eats omelette at school so not sure about the egg thing!

Yes she is Indian

I think asking is the best thing you can do here!

My experience of 'pure veg' (from India) is no meat, fish and eggs but also they avoid onion, garlic and mushroom.

But if mum is strict she should have explained it properly. Does she know her daughter eats omelette at school?!

Only Jains do this!

Best to ask. She really wont mind.

Why on earth couldn't the DM have given you some ideas or guidance of her DD can and can't eat

Silly woman. That would annoy me

I would just make pasta with a tomato sauce and keep it ridiculously simple

I think I'll get my daughter to ask her friend what she would like, then I'll check with the mum that it's ok. As I've just thought kids can be fussy anyway, and I could plan something suitable but that she doesn't actually like!

Pure veg is vegetarian but no eggs, as PPs have said. Is your DD very young ie infants? If her friend is pure veg but eats omelettes at school, I wonder if she realises they are made from eggs if she has been told it is a vegetarian option by lunch staff… which it is by the usual British definition?

Jains, plus other religions.

On a train I was offered the option of pure veg or non veg for the evening meal, most took the pure veg option.

Some Hindus may avoid onion garlic etc if they are fasting or exceptionally strict and observing caste. Very very few though.

I read the Hare Krishnas don’t eat onion and garlic and mushrooms either.