Vegetarian Dairy Guide

16 items classified under standard Vegetarian guidelines.

How do dairy fare on the Vegetarian diet? The answer depends on whether the food is the flesh of an animal. This guide breaks down all 16 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Good news for Vegetarian followers: all dairy fit the diet. These foods are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Brie Allowed 334kcal
Buttermilk Allowed 40kcal
Cheddar Allowed 410kcal
Cheese Allowed 295kcal
Cottage Cheese Allowed 148kcal
Feta Allowed 265kcal
Goat Cheese Allowed 142kcal
Ice Cream Allowed 237kcal
Mac and Cheese Allowed 257kcal
Milk Allowed 52kcal
Mozzarella Allowed 141kcal
Parmesan Allowed 370kcal
Ricotta Allowed 150kcal
Swiss Cheese Allowed 290kcal
Whipped Cream Allowed 257kcal
Yogurt Allowed 81kcal

Classification Breakdown

16 Allowed — These dairy are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey).

Lacto-ovo vegetarian includes dairy and eggs. Hidden traps: animal rennet in cheese, anchovies in Worcestershire, lard in baked goods.

Allowed Dairy (16)

Brie

Allowed

Brie is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 334kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.8g protein and 27.7g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cheese at 295kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

334kcalCalories
20.8gProtein
27.7gFat
0.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Buttermilk

Allowed

At 40kcal calories per 100g, Buttermilk falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 16 items in this category, buttermilk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Milk at 52kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

40kcalCalories
3.3gProtein
0.9gFat
4.8gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheddar

Allowed

With 410kcal calories per 100g, Cheddar earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 24.2g protein and 33.8g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Parmesan at 370kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

410kcalCalories
24.2gProtein
33.8gFat
2.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cheese

Allowed

At 295kcal calories per 100g, Cheese falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, cheese also provides 7.1g protein and 28.6g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Swiss Cheese at 290kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Cheddar409kcal23.3g34g2.4g0g
Mozzarella299kcal22.2g22.1g2.4g0g
Swiss393kcal27g31g1.4g

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Cottage Cheese

Allowed

Cottage Cheese is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 148kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 11g protein and 9.7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Goat Cheese and Ricotta for calories, ranking 6 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Full-Fat (4%)103kcal11.6g4.2g4.6g0g
Low-Fat (1%)72kcal12.4g1g2.7g0g

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Feta

Allowed

Feta is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 265kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.2g protein and 21.5g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Whipped Cream and Swiss Cheese for calories, ranking 11 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
14.2gProtein
21.5gFat
3.9gCarbs
0gFiber

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Goat Cheese

Allowed

Goat Cheese is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 142kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 26.9g protein and 392mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Mozzarella and Cottage Cheese for calories, ranking 5 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

142kcalCalories
26.9gProtein
3gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ice Cream

Allowed

At 237kcal calories per 100g, Ice Cream falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.6g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ricotta and Mac and Cheese for calories, ranking 8 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

237kcalCalories
4.3gProtein
8.6gFat
37.1gCarbs
0gFiber

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Mac and Cheese

Allowed

At 257kcal calories per 100g, Mac and Cheese falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, mac and cheese also provides 11.8g protein and 15g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Ice Cream and Whipped Cream for calories, ranking 9 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
11.8gProtein
15gFat
20.1gCarbs
1.6gFiber

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Milk

Allowed

Milk is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 52kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 16 items in this category, milk sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Yogurt at 81kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Milk60kcal3.3g3.2g4.6g
2% Milk50kcal3.3g2g4.8g0g
Skim Milk35kcal3.4g0.2g4.9g0g

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Mozzarella

Allowed

Mozzarella is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 141kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Nutritionally, it also delivers 31.7g protein and 743mg sodium per serving. Among the 16 items in this category, mozzarella sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Goat Cheese at 142kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

141kcalCalories
31.7gProtein
0gFat
3.5gCarbs
1.8gFiber

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Parmesan

Allowed

At 370kcal calories per 100g, Parmesan falls into the Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, parmesan also provides 40g protein and 1150mg sodium per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Brie at 334kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

370kcalCalories
40gProtein
5gFat
40gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ricotta

Allowed

With 150kcal calories per 100g, Ricotta earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 7.5g protein and 10.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cottage Cheese and Ice Cream for calories, ranking 7 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

150kcalCalories
7.5gProtein
10.2gFat
7.3gCarbs
0gFiber

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Swiss Cheese

Allowed

Swiss Cheese is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 290kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 16.4g protein and 21.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Feta and Cheese for calories, ranking 12 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

290kcalCalories
16.4gProtein
21.2gFat
8.7gCarbs
0gFiber

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Whipped Cream

Allowed

Whipped Cream is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 257kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 22.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Mac and Cheese and Feta for calories, ranking 10 of 16.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

257kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
22.2gFat
12.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Yogurt

Allowed

Yogurt is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 81kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Among the 16 items in this category, yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Mozzarella at 141kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain Whole Milk Yogurt61kcal3.5g3.3g4.7g0g
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt63kcal5.3g1.6g7g0g
Plain Nonfat Yogurt56kcal5.7g0.2g7.7g0g

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