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The Main Advantages of a Vegetarian Diet

9 min read December 15, 2022 Emily Barnett
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Vegetarianism is a dietary lifestyle that shuns the consumption of animals and animal by-products. Vegetarians come in many different varieties, with each type adhering to a different form of dietary restrictions. The most common form of vegetarianism is Vegetarian (lacto-ovo), which allows the consumption of eggs and dairy but not meat; this is typically considered to be the simplest form to maintain as it requires only that people avoid eating animals, not necessarily their by-products. From Vegetarian, two other variations emerge: Lacto-vegetarian which omits eggs but still consumes dairy, and Ovo-vegetarian, which eats eggs but avoids all other forms of animal products including dairy. Veganism is perhaps the most restrictive form of vegetarianism as not only does it remove all forms of meat and meat product consumption, but also removes all animal-derived by-products from its diet including all forms of dairy, eggs, honey, and foods that have been refined using animal products. No matter which type of vegetarian you choose, you’ll still be on your way to leading a healthier lifestyle!

BENEFITS OF EATING PLANT-BASED FOOD

A lot of people think that being a vegetarian is all about giving up meat. But it’s so much more than that! Being a vegetarian is an incredibly healthy lifestyle. Not only does it reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer, but it can also help you maintain a balanced diet. Many vegetarians choose to embrace this way of life due to the environmental benefits – eating less meat means fewer animal-derived emissions, such as methane and CO2, in our atmosphere. Furthermore, transitioning to an entirely plant-based diet has its own set of challenges; things like finding vegan sources of calcium and other important nutrients take some extra thought. But with the right dedication and resources, living as a vegetarian can be something enjoyable and truly rewarding. There are plenty of benefits to being a vegetarian – from saving money to improving your health. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider making the switch to a plant-based diet.

MANAGE WEIGHT

Eating a vegetarian diet is an increasingly popular way to promote healthy living and weight management. Indeed, eating vegetarian can be a great way to shed some extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight. The lack of processed meats and high-fat dairy products eliminates many of the calorie-rich foods that make other diets difficult to stick to. Instead, vegetarians enjoy healthy, nutrient-dense options like legumes, fruits, and vegetables which help to fill up without packing on the pounds. Even better, most veggies are low in calories but deliver big when it comes to nutrition – with vitamins, minerals, and fiber ranking high in any plant-based meal. Vegetarians enjoy a variety of food options that are mainly plant-based, containing much less saturated fat than meats. Ultimately, this can help people cut down their calorie intake while still consuming plenty of nutrition – including fiber, vitamins, and minerals – from fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Studies have also found that following a vegetarian diet encourages mindful eating practices – people are more likely to be aware of the health benefits associated with each food choice. In addition, vegetarians find it easier to maintain their ideal body weight due to the lower overall calorie intake from these meals. All these factors combined can play an important role in keeping extra pounds off for good!

LOWER CANCER RISKS

Eating a vegetarian diet can help to cut your cancer risk more than you ever thought possible. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide essential vitamins and minerals while staying low in saturated fat – which can reduce your risk of common cancers like colorectal, stomach, and kidney cancer. Load up on these power foods for maximum protection – it’s an easy (and delicious) way to look after yourself! Not only will you have tastier meals – you’ll be healthier too. If that isn’t enough motivation to switch things up, nothing is. So go meat-free today, knowing you’re doing a body good!

BOOSTING HEART HEALTH

A vegetarian diet is one of the most effective ways to ensure heart health and longevity. By limiting or cutting out meat altogether, vegetarians are able to reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke. The lack of processed meats also reduces inflammation levels and avoids a major source of sodium in their diets. Plant-based proteins found in legumes, quinoa, and nuts contribute nutrients that can further increase healthy cholesterol levels. In addition, with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables comes more antioxidants and vitamins that help protect against heart problems such as hypertension. All in all, being conscious about what you eat can have a lasting effect on your personal well-being; incorporating a vegetarian diet into your lifestyle could be the key to staying matched for your heart’s sake!

HEALTHY SKIN

Who doesn’t want glowing skin? Sure, there are countless products claiming to give us that lit-from-within look we strive for, but before you spend too much money at the cosmetics counter, why not give a vegetarian diet a shot? Many of the foods consumed on a vegetarian diet contain vitamins and minerals that provide necessary nutrients for healthy skin. For example, Vitamin A, an important antioxidant for skin health, can be found in fruits like mangoes and carrots as well as kale and spinach. The proteins necessary for collagen production can also be consumed from plant sources such as legumes. By adding more of these nutrient-packed superfoods to your meals, you’ll be supplying your body with what it needs to maintain its glowy health. Consider swapping meat dishes for roasted veggie bowls at least once a week—your skin will thank you!

HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

Adopting a vegetarian lifestyle is not only beneficial to our individual health – it can provide huge benefits to the environment too. Eating fewer animal products has been proven to reduce the strain on global resources, making agriculture and food production much more efficient. Say goodbye to deforestation caused by grazing animals, an overuse of water to grow feed crops, and an immense amount of methane emissions created by livestock. All this adds up to just one simple decision: going vegetarian! Of course, you don’t have to give up meat entirely – replacing it with plant-based options a few days per week can still make a world of difference. So why not ‘meat’ your responsibility and give veggie meals a try today?

COMPASSIONATE CHOICE

Being a vegetarian is an ethical and humane decision for many reasons. By not eating animal products, we can reduce some of the cruel practices used in factory farming which often results in a lower quality of life and sometimes the death of the animal. Furthermore, animals raised on factory farms produce high levels of methane and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, so reducing or eliminating our consumption of animal-derived goods can benefit our environment. Finally, plant-based diets are healthier for us than diets with large amounts of animal proteins, so by cutting out meat from our daily meals we’re giving ourselves the best chance for a long and healthy life — not just ourselves but also farm animals suffering in terrible conditions. Ultimately, when looking at these moral, environmental, and health factors together there is strong evidence that choosing to be a vegetarian is one of the most compassionate and responsible choices we could make as individuals.

If you’re considering making the switch to a vegetarian diet, go for it! You may be surprised at how much more energy you have and how good you feel overall. And if you find that it’s not for you, there are plenty of other options out there. Just remember to do your research so that you can make an informed decision about what’s right for your body and your lifestyle.