What does vegetarianism primarily focus on avoiding?

Vegetarianism primarily focuses on avoiding meat, which includes the flesh of animals such as beef, poultry, pork, and fish. This practice is often adopted for various reasons, including health, ethical, environmental, and religious beliefs. Vegetarians may choose to eliminate all forms of meat from their diets but can vary in their restrictions; for example, some may avoid only red meat while others exclude all animal flesh.

While dairy products, processed foods, and grains are food categories that some people may choose to avoid for health or dietary preferences, they do not constitute the fundamental principle of vegetarianism. The essence of vegetarianism centers on refraining from consuming meat, making it the clear focal point of this dietary lifestyle.