What type of vegetarian diet includes all plant foods and dairy products but excludes animal meat and eggs?

The description provided in the question aligns with a lacto-vegetarian diet. This type of vegetarianism allows for the consumption of plant foods along with dairy products while explicitly excluding meat and eggs. Lacto-vegetarians include dairy items such as milk, cheese, and yogurt in their diets, which provide a good source of calcium and other nutrients typically found in animal products.

This distinction is important as it sets lacto-vegetarians apart from other vegetarian classifications. For instance, a vegan diet excludes all animal-derived products, including dairy and eggs. An ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy, expanding beyond the lacto-vegetarian framework. Lastly, the term "vegetarian" is a broad category that may encompass various diets without specifying the exclusion of animal products. Thus, the correct choice accurately captures the specific allowances and exclusions of a lacto-vegetarian diet, making it essential to understand this diet's unique characteristics.