Is Trader Joe's Southwest Salad Vegetarian?


Ingredients
Salad (romaine Lettuce, Sweet Corn [corn, Water, Sugar, Salt], Cooked Black Beans [black Beans, Water], Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Red Bell Peppers, Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Crumbled Cotija Cheese [cotija Cheese (pasteurized Milk, Pasteurized Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Sea Salt, Microbial Enzyme), Whey (anti-caking Agent), Sugar Cane Fiber Anti-caking Agent), Natamycin Mold Inhibitor) ), Chipotle Ranch Dressing (lowfat Yogurt [cultured Pasteurized Milk, Pasteurized Skim Milk, Pectin], Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Seasoning [salt, Cane Sugar, Garlic Powder, Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Spices (including Celery Seed), Xanthan Gum], Sugar, Milk Powder [nonfat Dried Milk Powder, Cultured Nonfat Dry Milk Powder], Sea Salt, Cumin Powder, Dried Oregano, Lime Juice Concentrate, Chipotle Pepper Powder, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Paprika Oleoresin [extractives Of Paprika, Canola Oil]). Contains Milk.
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.


