I've had similar conversations with some of my Eastern Indian coworkers and friends.

Turns out, there are many different ways across that sub-continent; and many have their own interpretation of diet.
Nisha is from Caerla in the south and she will eat anything, no dietary restrictions.
Sampath is her neighbor to the east, and he won't eat any animal products, even dairy products, but he will eat fish.
Rama is his compatriot and will eat chicken, and dairy.

On the other hand, my wife was raised in a Spanish Catholic home; and they interpreted the "meatless" Fridays rule to be "you must eat fish." Whereas in my experience (Irish Catholic/ Episcopalian) Mac and Cheese was as valid as fish because the idea for us was just "no meat".