The Truth Inside Vegetarian Diets
In our current Western society, a general nutritional belief is that meat and animal products must be consumed in order to maintain a well-balanced, muscle-building healthy diet.
For people who choose to turn away from this traditional rule of eating and choose a vegetarian diet are often considered “granola-head hippies”…or even just plain odd.
However there are more and more people these days that found there are many health benefits from a vegetarian diet. Additionally, more physicians and scientists are prescribing and endorsing plant-based meals in order to improve our health, prevent and treat certain diseases, and even to reduce weight.Â
Although vegetarianism may just seem like a modern trend, in reality, the health benefits of this diet have been known for many years in many cultures worldwide. India and many other Asian countries make up the largest percentage of the world’s vegetarians, for the both reason of health and spiritual. One group of people, the Hunza — they live around the Himalayan Mountains — have an exclusively vegetarian diet. Many of their community members reportedly often live to be over 100 years old.
The American Dietetic Association on their statement said that the benefits of a vegetarian diet include the following: 1) lowered cholesterol level on our blood; 2) lower levels of bad saturated fat; 3) higher levels of many important minerals and antioxidant vitamins; 4) lower the body fat; 5) lower the rates of heart disease; 6) lower blood pressure; 7) lower rates of type-2 diabetes; and 
lower instances of some cancers.
Obesity, one of the main health concerns in USA, can be addressed with a vegetarian diet, one that excretes excess consumption of protein and animal fat, and increases fiber intake in the form of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. People who consume a proper vegetarian diet maintain a lower body mass index (BMI), which significantly can assists in the treatment and management of other chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.
A common question usually asked by anyone considering a vegetarian diet is: “Will I get enough protein?†That is just a valid concern, as protein is needed for the building, maintenance and function of all body cells. According the American Dietetic Association, on the other hand, a varied and well-balanced vegetarian diet provides all the protein the body needs from eating such things as whole grains, beans, nuts and soy products.
The truth is, meat-based diets typically bring excess protein to our body, which may actually be harmful the useful. A major gerontological journal reports that too much protein consumption can cause a person losing about 30% of their kidney function by the time they become elderly. It can also bring a kind of systemic acidity; this is where the body attempts to counter by pulling calcium out of the bones. This can, unfortunately, lead to other serious health problem, osteoporosis.
By become a vegetarian; it does not mean you are limited to eating only celery sticks, apples and nuts. There are many types of vegetarian menus where we eat meatless diets in a variety of combinations. Some of the more common types of vegetarians include:
Lacto vegetarians, who do not eat meat or eggs, but do eat dairy products such as milk and cheese.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians do not eat meat, but will eat dairy products and eggs.
Ovo vegetarians do not eat meat or dairy products, but will eat eggs.
Vegans do not eat meat, dairy products, eggs, or any animal products at all.
There are numerous medical and health organizations that promote, endorse, and support people on a path toward changing their dietary lifestyle to one that includes more plant-based foods.
Additionally, there are also many restaurants and grocery stores provide meals and products to vegetarians, making it simpler for us to choose this healthy lifestyle.
Research and information about this life style exists out there on the internet, as well as through medical providers and vegetarian organizations.
The conclusion is: it’s OK to be vegetarian, and even the benefits it brings may very well enhance or even save your life!
[tags]vegetarian, health food, food, diet, health[/tags]
June 16th, 2007 at 4:45 am
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