Healthy & Fitness

Vegetarian Lifestyle - Is it Really Good For You!

Vegetarianism is gaining popularity across the world. More and more meat-eaters are opting for a diet that comprises of only fruits and vegetables and excludes any form of meat.

Switching to a vegetarian diets is catching on because of increased awareness of health and fitness. So is a strict vegetarian diet really good for you?

A vegetarian diet, which normally consists of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, is said to be beneficial for maintaining the overall health of people.

Vegetarian diets are also associated with reducing the risk of a number of diseases.

So as to answer the question whether vegetarian diets is infact the way to go, lets consider the advantages and disadvantages of a strict vegetarian diet.

Advantages of a strict vegetarian diet

• A balanced vegetarian diet lowers the risk of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
• Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal protein.
• Vegetarian diets are high in folate, anti-oxidant vitamins like C and E, carotenoids, and phytochemicals.
• Vegetarians supposedly have substantially reduced risks for obesity as Vegetarian diets that are low in saturated fats.
• A well-rounded vegetarian diet that includes a variety of foods usually meets all nutritional requirements. The only possible exception would be vitamin B-12 which is found only in animal products.

Disadvantages of a strict vegetarian diet

• Vitamin B12, largely found in meat, is not present in a vegetarian diet. Many strict vegetarians are diagnosed with low vitamin B12.
• One could be a vegetarian and still consume large quantities of high-fat empty calories. Eliminating the meat doesn’t automatically make for a healthy diet.
• Iron deficiencies are also sometimes associated with strict vegetarian diets.

Myths about vegetarian diets

• Vegetarians always need special vitamins and supplements?

• In most cases they don’t. A well-rounded vegetarian diet that includes a variety of foods usually meets all nutritional requirements. One possible exception would be vitamin B-12 which is found only in animal products.

• Vegetarian diets do not provide enough protein.

• This is not true, Just about all unrefined foods contain significant amounts of protein.

• It is hard to eat in a restaurant if you are a strict vegetarian.

• As trends change, more and more restaurants have realized there is a vast clientele who need vegetarian food and are prepared for such customers. Even fast food outlets flaunt their healthy veg-burgers.

• Vegetarians are frail and weak.

• Absolutely not true.

Choosing between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets

The decision you make should be one of your own choice. With either diet you need to eat a variety of foods to stay healthy. One last word In case your interested,The American Dietetic Association says that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.