Vegeterianism

By: Nikki Nies

There’s always “trending” meals and diets.  A new wave is vegeterianisms has arrived.  Whatever your reason for eliminating animal based foods from your diet, there’s some precautions you should know.

Benefits:

• Vegetarian diet is composed of calories from grain products, vegetables and fruits, which is recommended as an overall diet
• Reduces the risk for chronic degenerative diseases such as obesity, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer including colon, breast, prostate, stomach, lung and esophageal cancer
• May keep weight down–vegetarian diet tends to be lower in saturated fats and processed foods and higher in plant based foods
• May have longer life span
• Easy symptoms of menopause
• Reduce symptoms of food borne illness–through elimination of poultry, meat, fish and seafood, which are more susceptible to food born illnesses
• Staying true to one’s ethical beliefs regarding humane practices of animals
• Plant foods are higher in fiber than animal foods–may have more “regular” movements
•  With higher consumption of calcium, may build stronger bones
• Help reduce pollution
• Avoid toxic chemicals
• Have more energy
• More colorful plates

Of course, these benefits are conditional in conjunction with other environmental factors and can’t be definitive benefits.  If you worry about B12 and/or zinc deficiencies, as with any major diet changes, check with your physician beforehand.

Sources: http://naturaldelights.biz/why_vegetarian

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a-vegetarian/