The Benefits of Going Vegetarian

Vegetarianism is growing widely in popularity as a way to lose weight and as a means of preventing and treating many chronic diseases, as put forth by the American Dietetic Association. Vegetarian diets generally are distinguished by the change from animal protein to a variety of beans, legumes, and tofu. It is not to be confused with veganism which is where in addition to no meat being consumed, no dairy products or eggs are consumed either.

There are many studies proving that a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grain products, legumes, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds can help lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. A 1997 study from the World Cancer Research Fund stated that we can significantly lower the risk of cancer by choosing a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes and avoiding grilled or smoked meats which contain carcinogenic substances.

A wide variety of fruits and vegetables included in your diet are also a great means of getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. There are many studies available to show that the increased intake of fruits and vegetables, such as those seen in vegetarian diets, result in a 24 per cent decrease in mortality from heart disease and 20 per cent decrease in total cholesterol. These types of results are astounding and only help to support the switch to a vegetarian lifestyle.

As vegetarians do not consume animal proteins, they effectively limit the amount of saturated fats they consume. Because of this, vegetarians tend to have lower BMI, body mass index, a decreased risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and even dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people question the nutritional aspect of vegetarians – assuming that they don’t eat enough protein, are potentially iron deficient and have lower vitamin B levels. Needless to say, these concerns are unfounded. Vegetarians consume more than enough protein through vegetables sources, both complete and combined, to make up for the lack of animal protein. As long as they are eating a variety of vegetables, iron deficiency should not be an issue and vitamin B12 is available through dairy products and eggs.

That being said, a vegetarian diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds has a wide variety of health benefits which range from weight loss to cancer fighting properties. Along with a regular exercise program, vegetarianism may be the best diet choice.

By: Don Rogers

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