The heath benefits of vegetarianism are undeniable. Animal fats in the diet contribute to many chronic and serious health conditions including chronic heart disease, diabetes type II, hypertension, coronary artery disease and certain cancers. Vegetarianism is not just about eliminating meat and animal fats from the diet; becoming a vegetarian is also about making healthier food choices and becoming educated about proper nutritional balance.
Nutrition and Health
The body requires protein, Omega 3 fatty acids and B12 to produce healthy new cells and maintain balanced enzyme and hormone levels. When meat is eliminated from the diet, other sources of complete proteins and essential nutrients like soybeans, tofu and quinoa must be added. It may be necessary to combine incomplete proteins, like those in beans and rice, to make complete proteins. The benefits of vegetarianism require knowledge of nutritional substitutes to maintain a balanced vegetarian diet, and in most cases, usually result in a healthier lifestyle and weight loss, one of the overlooked benefits of being a vegetarian.
Vegetarian Foods
Both these food choices fit into the vegetarian category, but there are differences in their nutritional values. Unless it is made from whole grains, macaroni is a simple carbohydrate that is rapidly metabolized into glucose which can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Cheese is usually high in animal fats, although it is a source of calcium and protein. On the contrary, beans and rice are low in fat and provide a complete protein, but unfortunately, doesn’t serve as a source of calcium.
Understanding Food and Nutrition
Mac and cheese made with whole grain pasta and low fat cheese can provide a good source of calcium, even though it is not high in protein. Beans and rice provide protein and iron, and are nutritious, although have no calcium. Understanding what nutrients foods contain and balancing different vegetarian foods to make a complete nutritional diet is part of a vegetarian lifestyle. The benefits of vegetarianism come from a better understanding of the relationship between food and nutrition.
A Healthy Vegetarian Diet
The benefits of vegetarianism are not just from simply eliminating meat in the diet. A diet with no meat can still contain unhealthy levels of refined sugars, simple carbohydrates and even animal fats. Vegan diets contain no animal fats, but unless a vegan diet is carefully planned and balanced, vegans can be lacking in essential nutrients like protein, calcium and Omega 3 fatty acids. Understanding the body’s nutritional needs and making conscious food choices to support those needs is part of vegetarianism.
Becoming A Vegetarian
Converting to a vegetarian diet is a gradual process, which includes educating yourself on vegetarian foods, diets, and recipes. If one food is eliminated from the diet, it must be replaced with a food of equal or higher nutritional value. In order to make a healthy transition and reap the benefits of vegetarianism, it is vital to understand which foods can be substituted for foods that are eliminated to maintain vegetarian health benefits. The body needs the same nutrients even if the source of those nutrients changes.
Vegetarianism
The benefits of vegetarianism are well documented, but as with any diet, it is important to understand nutritional needs and make smart food choices to get the most from a meat-free diet. Finding healthy substitutes for meat, animal and dairy products keeps nutrition balanced while eliminating unhealthy dietary elements. A well-balanced vegetarian diet can lead to a healthier and longer life.