Is ITALIAN PASTA SALAD Vegetarian?


Ingredients
ITALIAN DRESSING (WATER, SOYBEAN OIL. CORN SWEETENER. DISTILLED VINEGAR, RED WINE VINEGAR, SALT, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, DEHYDRATED ONION, PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE. SPICES, DEHYDRATED RED BELL PEPPER, XANTHAN GUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE). CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR]), PASTA (DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, ENRICHED WITH (NIACIN, IRON FERROUS SULFATE) THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID). TOMATO SOLIDS. DRIED SPINACH). WATER. CARROT, CELERY. ONIONS, LEMON JUICE ( WATER, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SODIUM BISULFITE [PRESERVATIVES], LEMON OIL), RIPE OLIVES (RIPE OLIVES, WATER, SALT, FERROUS GLUCONATE (ADDED TO STABILIZE COLOR] GREEN PEPPER. RED PEPPER, SALT, ONION POWDER, BASIL, OREGANO, POTASSIUM SORBATE AND SODIUM BENZOATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS).
What is a Vegetarian diet?
A vegetarian diet eliminates meat, poultry, and fish but typically includes dairy, eggs, and plant-based foods. People adopt it for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. This diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds as key nutrient sources. Vegetarians often get protein from eggs, tofu, beans, and lentils. It can offer health benefits such as reduced risk of heart disease and improved weight management, though attention should be given to nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. With proper planning, a vegetarian diet can be both nutritionally complete and sustainable.


