Is MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD, MEDITERRANEAN Vegetarian?


Ingredients
COOKED PENNE PASTA (PENNE PASTA {DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE [IRON], THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID}, WATER, SALT, POTASSIUM SORBATE), ITALIAN DRESSING (SOYBEAN OIL, RED WINE VINEGAR {WATER, RED WINE VINEGAR, SULFITES. [NATURALLY OCCURRING, NONE ADDED]}, CANOLA OIL, WATER, GARLIC, BASIL, SALT, LEMON JUICE {FILTERED WATER, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, PRESERVED WITH 1/10 OF 1% SODIUM BENZOATE AND 1/50 OF 1% SODIUM BISULFITE}, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, CULTURED DEXTROSE, SUGAR, BLACK PEPPER, SPICES, MUSTARD POWDER {MUSTARD FLOUR}, GUM ACACIA, XANTHAN GUM), GREEN BELL PEPPER, RED BELL PEPPER, TOMATOES, ONIONS, BLACK OLIVES (RIPE OLIVES, WATER, SALT, AND FERROUS GLUCONATE {TO STABILIZE COLOR}), PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, FLOW AGENT: CELLULOSE POWDER ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING), PARSLEY.
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.


