Vegetarian Fats & Oils Guide

23 items classified under standard Vegetarian guidelines.

Vegetarian classifies foods based on whether the food is the flesh of an animal. Of the 23 fats & oils evaluated, 18 are classified as Allowed, 2 as Limited, and 3 as Not Allowed.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Avocado Oil Allowed 884kcal
Butter Allowed 717kcal
Canola Oil Allowed 900kcal
Coconut Oil Allowed 895kcal
Flaxseed Oil Allowed 884kcal
Ghee Allowed 876kcal
Grapeseed Oil Allowed 884kcal
Heavy Cream Allowed 340kcal
Margarine Allowed 579kcal
MCT Oil Allowed 884kcal
Olive Oil Allowed 900kcal
Palm Oil Allowed 134kcal
Peanut Oil Allowed 900kcal
Safflower Oil Allowed 900kcal
Sesame Oil Allowed 884kcal
Sunflower Oil Allowed 900kcal
Vegetable Oil Allowed 862kcal
Walnut Oil Allowed 884kcal
Cooking Spray Limited 792kcal
Shortening Limited 884kcal
Beef Tallow Not Allowed 198kcal
Duck Fat Not Allowed 136kcal
Lard Not Allowed 902kcal

Classification Breakdown

18 Allowed — These fats & oils are either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). 2 Limited — These items have usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. 3 Not Allowed — These are meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes.

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

Allowed Fats & Oils (18)

Avocado Oil

Allowed

Avocado Oil is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Ghee and Flaxseed Oil for calories, ranking 10 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Avocado Oil across all diets

Butter

Allowed

At 717kcal calories per 100g, Butter 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 81.1g fat and 643mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Margarine and Cooking Spray for calories, ranking 6 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Salted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g
Unsalted717kcal0.9g81.1g0.1g0g

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Canola Oil

Allowed

At 900kcal calories per 100g, Canola Oil 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, canola oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Coconut Oil at 895kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Coconut Oil

Allowed

With 895kcal calories per 100g, Coconut Oil 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 99.1g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Shortening and Canola Oil for calories, ranking 17 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Virgin (unrefined)892kcal0g99.1g0g0g
MCT Oil862kcal0g100g0g0g

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Flaxseed Oil

Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Flaxseed Oil 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 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Avocado Oil and Grapeseed Oil for calories, ranking 11 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Ghee

Allowed

At 876kcal calories per 100g, Ghee 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 99.5g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Vegetable Oil and Avocado Oil for calories, ranking 9 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

876kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
99.5gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Grapeseed Oil

Allowed

At 884kcal calories per 100g, Grapeseed Oil 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, grapeseed oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Flaxseed Oil and MCT Oil for calories, ranking 12 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Grapeseed Oil across all diets

Heavy Cream

Allowed

At 340kcal calories per 100g, Heavy 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 36.1g fat per serving. Among the 23 items in this category, heavy cream sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Margarine at 579kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Heavy Cream340kcal2.8g36.1g2.8g0g
Light Cream195kcal3g19.1g3.7g0g

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Margarine

Allowed

With 579kcal calories per 100g, Margarine earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, margarine also provides 65g fat and 694mg sodium per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, margarine sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Butter at 717kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

579kcalCalories
0.2gProtein
65gFat
0.8gCarbs
0gFiber

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MCT Oil

Allowed

With 884kcal calories per 100g, MCT Oil earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, mct oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Grapeseed Oil and Sesame Oil for calories, ranking 13 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare MCT Oil across all diets

Olive Oil

Allowed

Olive Oil is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 900kcal 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 100g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Canola Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Extra Virgin884kcal0g100g0g0g
Light/Refined884kcal0g100g0g0g

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Palm Oil

Allowed

At 134kcal calories per 100g, Palm Oil 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 23 items in this category, palm oil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Duck Fat at 136kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

134kcalCalories
2.6gProtein
2.7gFat
24.8gCarbs
1.5gFiber

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Peanut Oil

Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Peanut Oil earns a Allowed classification on Vegetarian. It is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). Beyond the primary classification, peanut oil also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Olive Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Safflower Oil

Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Safflower Oil 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 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Peanut Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Safflower Oil across all diets

Sesame Oil

Allowed

Sesame Oil is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is either a plant food or a non-flesh animal product (dairy, egg, honey). It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between MCT Oil and Walnut Oil for calories, ranking 14 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Sesame Oil across all diets

Sunflower Oil

Allowed

With 900kcal calories per 100g, Sunflower Oil 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 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Safflower Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

900kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Sunflower Oil across all diets

Vegetable Oil

Allowed

Vegetable Oil is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 862kcal 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 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Cooking Spray and Ghee for calories, ranking 8 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

862kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Vegetable Oil across all diets

Walnut Oil

Allowed

Walnut Oil is classified as Allowed on Vegetarian, with 884kcal 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 100g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Sesame Oil and Shortening for calories, ranking 15 of 23.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Walnut Oil across all diets

Limited Fats & Oils (2)

Cooking Spray

Limited

With 792kcal calories per 100g, Cooking Spray earns a Limited classification on Vegetarian. It is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. Beyond the primary classification, cooking spray also provides 78.7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Butter and Vegetable Oil for calories, ranking 7 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

792kcalCalories
0.3gProtein
78.7gFat
20.7gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Cooking Spray across all diets

Shortening

Limited

Shortening is classified as Limited on Vegetarian, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is usually vegetarian but sometimes prepared with meat, fish, or animal-derived rennet. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Walnut Oil and Coconut Oil for calories, ranking 16 of 23. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Shortening across all diets

Not Allowed Fats & Oils (3)

Beef Tallow

Not Allowed

At 198kcal calories per 100g, Beef Tallow falls into the Not Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes. Beyond the primary classification, beef tallow also provides 14.7g protein and 14.9g fat per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, beef tallow sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Heavy Cream at 340kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

198kcalCalories
14.7gProtein
14.9gFat
0.1gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Beef Tallow across all diets

Duck Fat

Not Allowed

At 136kcal calories per 100g, Duck Fat falls into the Not Allowed category under Vegetarian guidelines. It is meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes. Beyond the primary classification, duck fat also provides 18.7g protein per 100g. Among the 23 items in this category, duck fat sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Beef Tallow at 198kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

136kcalCalories
18.7gProtein
4.6gFat
3.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Lard

Not Allowed

Lard is classified as Not Allowed on Vegetarian, with 902kcal calories per 100g. This means it is meat, poultry, or seafood — categories vegetarian eating excludes. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sunflower Oil at 900kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

902kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Lard across all diets