Vegetarian eating is a healthy alternative but only if you eat in a healthy and balanced way. Yes, there are many health benefits to eating this way. Eating vegetarian makes sense from a good health and nutritional point of view.
Vegetarians eat plant foods like vegetables, fruits, and grain although some do not include onions, garlic and chives. Generally there are three styles of vegetarianism based on other foods allowed as listed below:
• Vegans are the strictest – they abstain from all animal foods, dairy products and eggs.
• Lacto vegetarians consume dairy products.
• Ovolacto vegetarians supplements with eggs and dairy products
Prudent vegetarianism is highly beneficial. Studies show that vegetarians live longer, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and register lower incidents of obesity, heart diseases, certain cancers, stroke and diabetes. These are not surprising as vegetarian diet contain less saturated fat, fewer calories, less sugar and more fibers.
Now before anybody starts it is important to understand how to plan a well balanced vegetarian diet. Pregnant women, teenagers and young children should seek proper nutritional guidance before embarking on it.
The main concern in a vegetarian diet is protein. It is needed to build body tissues and consists of units called amino acids. Compared to animal protein like meat, plant foods generally lack certain amino acids. Hence, vegetarians, especially vegans, must eat a variety of plant proteins to get a complete set of amino acids. Soyabeans, a high quality protein, and its products like tofu and soya milk may feature frequently in vegetarian meals.
Vitamin B12 also needs monitoring for its deficiency causes anemia. As animal foods are the only reliable sources of vitamin B12 substitutes like vitamin B12 enriched breakfast cereals are ideal. Furthermore, these cereals are also fortified with iron absorption; one must ensure an adequate supply of vitamin C in diet. Other good sources of iron are spinach, raisins and pulses. For non-dairy product eaters, calcium intake may be obtained from alternatives like sawi, spinach and kalian. If seafood is omitted, zinc required for the immune system is obtainable from whole grains, nuts and soyabeans.
Sprouts contain reproductive power that is of vital importance to human lives and their health. Germinated seeds enormously increase the nutritional value and digestibility. There is an amazing increase the nutritional value and digestibility. There is an amazing increase in nutrients in sprouted pulses as compared to their dried form. In the process of germination the vitamins, minerals and protein increase substantially with corresponding decrease in carbohydrate content. Cooked sprouts (steamed) are best to digest and avail maximum proteins.
Sprouts help in the growth of muscles and tissue of the body. They increase the resistance to diseases and play an important role in rejuvenation of cells.
Benefits of Vegetarian Eating
• Overweight people who have tried a vegetarian diet have lost weight and kept is off.
• Diabetes achieves normal blood sugar levels, reducing insulin requirements.
• People with high BP, diminished or eliminated their BP medications because BP was normalized.
• People with high cholesterol showed lowered cholesterol levels.
• In a majority of people with elevated homocyteine, levels were reduced, which is an improvement without the use of medication.
• Overall endurance, strength, stamina, energy and sense of well-being achieved.
Know how to use Calorie Shifting Diet Plan to lose weight in a healthier way. Read information on Colon Cleansing and Weight Loss. Also know useful Home Remedies for Weight Loss to lose weight naturally.
Nick Mutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/why-vegetarian-eating-is-healthier-717905.html
22 comments ↓
Is being a vegetarian healthier than eating meat?
I was considering becoming a vegetarian and was wondering if it healthier than eating meat? I read one nutritionist say once that we don’t need meat, and that we’re not really meant to be meat eaters as our digestive system takes so long to digest meat and that a vegetarian diet is healthier for us, its just that society has led us to believe that we need to eat meat. Is this true?? x
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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Mean is good for your bones and if ur still growing i wouldnt suggest becoming a vegetarian. Its a little bit healthier and u have to eat all of the nasty food well thats my opinion dunno bout u
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Thats not true at all, our teeth are designed so that we are able to eat meat, also meat is very good for you as a source of protein. Vegetarians can have problems getting a well balanced diet because they don’t get all of the good stuff that comes from eating meat
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No
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The following comes from a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Facial Muscles
CARNIVORE: Reduced to allow wide mouth gape
OMNIVORE: Reduced
HERBIVORE: Well-developed
HUMAN: Well-developed
Jaw Type
CARNIVORE: Angle not expanded
OMNIVORE: Angle not expanded
HERBIVORE: Expanded angle
HUMAN: Expanded angle
Jaw Joint Location
CARNIVORE: On same plane as molar teeth
OMNIVORE: On same plane as molar teeth
HERBIVORE: Above the plane of the molars
HUMAN: Above the plane of the molars
Jaw Motion
CARNIVORE: Shearing; minimal side-to-side motion
OMNIVORE: Shearing; minimal side-to-side
HERBIVORE: No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back
HUMAN: No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back
Major Jaw Muscles
CARNIVORE: Temporalis
OMNIVORE: Temporalis
HERBIVORE: Masseter and pterygoids
HUMAN: Masseter and pterygoids
Mouth Opening vs. Head Size
CARNIVORE: Large
OMNIVORE: Large
HERBIVORE: Small
HUMAN: Small
Teeth: Incisors
CARNIVORE: Short and pointed
OMNIVORE: Short and pointed
HERBIVORE: Broad, flattened and spade shaped
HUMAN: Broad, flattened and spade shaped
Teeth: Canines
CARNIVORE: Long, sharp and curved
OMNIVORE: Long, sharp and curved
HERBIVORE: Dull and short or long (for defense), or none
HUMAN: Short and blunted
Teeth: Molars
CARNIVORE: Sharp, jagged and blade shaped
OMNIVORE: Sharp blades and/or flattened
HERBIVORE: Flattened with cusps vs complex surface
HUMAN: Flattened with nodular cusps
Chewing
CARNIVORE: None; swallows food whole
OMNIVORE: Swallows food whole and/or simple crushing
HERBIVORE: Extensive chewing necessary
HUMAN: Extensive chewing necessary
Saliva
CARNIVORE: No digestive enzymes
OMNIVORE: No digestive enzymes
HERBIVORE: Carbohydrate digesting enzymes
HUMAN: Carbohydrate digesting enzymes
Stomach Type
CARNIVORE: Simple
OMNIVORE: Simple
HERBIVORE: Simple or multiple chambers
HUMAN: Simple
Stomach Acidity
CARNIVORE: Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach
OMNIVORE: Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach
HERBIVORE: pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach
HUMAN: pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach
Stomach Capacity
CARNIVORE: 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract
OMNIVORE: 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract
HERBIVORE: Less than 30% of total volume of digestive tract
HUMAN: 21% to 27% of total volume of digestive tract
Length of Small Intestine
CARNIVORE: 3 to 6 times body length
OMNIVORE: 4 to 6 times body length
HERBIVORE: 10 to more than 12 times body length
HUMAN: 10 to 11 times body length
Colon
CARNIVORE: Simple, short and smooth
OMNIVORE: Simple, short and smooth
HERBIVORE: Long, complex; may be sacculated
HUMAN: Long, sacculated
Liver
CARNIVORE: Can detoxify vitamin A
OMNIVORE: Can detoxify vitamin A
HERBIVORE: Cannot detoxify vitamin A
HUMAN: Cannot detoxify vitamin A
Kidney
CARNIVORE: Extremely concentrated urine
OMNIVORE: Extremely concentrated urine
HERBIVORE: Moderately concentrated urine
HUMAN: Moderately concentrated urine
Nails
CARNIVORE: Sharp claws
OMNIVORE: Sharp claws
HERBIVORE: Flattened nails or blunt hooves
HUMAN: Flattened nails
A carnivore’s digestive tract has to be short so they can digest the meat quickly before it rots inside their body. As humans, our digestive tract is long, so meat sometimes will rot in our bodies and most cases report that it’s in the colon where this ends up happening. This is also why many meat-eaters have constipation issues.
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human beings are omnivores – we’re designed to eat both meat/fish and vegetables
vegetarians often have healthy-seeming diets (being as they are mostly based on fruit and vegetables etc), but they have to be much more aware of their intake of things like calcium, iron, protein (found in eggs, meat, fish) and other essential things.
there are pros for vegetarianism also – you avoid the fat, have no animal-related guilt, and it’s actually technically better for the environment
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Meat has more protein than anything else, it has lots of iron too that you need, and helps you grow healthy muscles and bones as well. Sure there are subs for meat…but how many fat vegans or vegetarians do you see running around. People that are fat…well they don’t eat just meat, they eat all the other unhealthy crap and don’t even stop eating and go to buffets every day. Eating a healthy meal of meat, veggies, fruits, wheats, and dairy products will keep you healthy, strong and you’ll never get sick. Trust me, I am 150 pounds at 5’8, been eating meat forever, and the doctors tell me all the time to keep doing what I do…
ADD: Hey Fay, love your stats you must’ve come up with all day….
Omninore species: Most bears, panda is a herbivore, and a polor bear is a carnivore….Many species of birds, pigs, chimpanzees, racoons, rats, mice, some lizards and turtles.
All your facts are contriversial. If I am not a omnivore, then why do I have teeth that cut, teeth that kind also grind, If a human is feral, they’d look like a chimp almost. Chimanzees will eat meat. Crows have a beak, not wide mouth and is small…come up with real facts…also, not constipated, I am regular, I have wonderful blood pressure, usually 120-130/65. I am 150 pounds, lean and strong, I drink milk, never have broken a bone, and I’ve been hit hard and fallen off a lot of high things before…Haven’t been sick since the 6th grade…I dunno…I think these facts are wonderful as well. Slaughterhouses = PETA = around 5% animals adopted while the rest are put to sleep….what’s worst? Slaughterhouse providing food, or PETA killing cats and dogs to save room?
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Not necessarily. If you eat meat only two to three times a week, you can be just as healthy as a vegetarian. Meat and dairy should make up a small part of your diet. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and water should make up the majority.
It takes your body a while to process alcohol, it takes a while to process heavy and thick bread. We DON’T need meat, but we can still eat it.
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I just became a vegetarian, andeverything that I have read about it so far says that yes, it is healthier. Meats have a lot of chemicals in them, and a lot of e-coli and bacteria.
Veggies can of course have the same problems, but when cookeed right and bought organically, you are really safe. You can find the same proteins from meat in veggies, so don’t worry about that!
Plus, if you think about the way animals are treated in slaughterhouses, it shouldn’t give you much of an appetite for eating the outcome of that anyway!
I think it;s the best decision I could make right now, I feel so good!
Good luck!
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http://www.peta.com
oh no no no no no nooooooooooo
we need meat!
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It probably is healthier.
That’s not enough to persuade me to go vegetarian, though. In the future (maybe a few decades in the future), it might be enough. But I’m perfectly healthy as I am now so I don’t see any medical reason to change my diet.
I don’t need to eat meat to survive, but it sure makes my life more enjoyable. And if it causes a few hardcore vegans and animal rights activists to cry in the process, well that’s just an added bonus.
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I have been a full blown vegan for 4 years now. I have so much more energy, and stamina throughout the day. Being any type of veg will not only significantly lenghten your life span, but it will also reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%. Oh yeah, and this: meat.org this is why I went veg. I hope I helped!
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Vegan for 4 years
A vegetarian diet is not healthier in and of itself. Most vegetarians are more health conscious, and as a result watch what they eat more carefully. If you eat a properly balanced diet that includes meat you will be just as healthy.
Not eating meat is mostly an emotional decision. People choose to not eat meat in order to not kill animals.
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The fact of the matter is, you can be healthy both ways. However, by cutting meat out of your diet, you can reduce your risks of heart disease and cancer.
The key is everything in moderation. This debate is futile because we all have different beliefs that we’re not going to change, particularly if we’re feeling attacked. And eating meat is something that the majority of society promotes and it’s at this point a tradition. So it’s going to take more than this petty bickering to enlighten people.
So, if you are concerned about your diet, you should truly consult a nutritionist, and based off of your medical history, your family’s medical history and your overall health, they can guide you towards a diet that’s best fit for you.
But if you decide to go vegetarian, it is incredibly easy to stay healthy and get all the nutrients you need. In fact, you will likely be getting more vitamins on a veggie diet than a omnivore’s diet, and you’ll just be getting your protein from beans, nuts, and grains as opposed to animals.
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Depends what you mean by "healthy". I’m reading a book by Anthony Bourdain at the moment in it and there is a chapter all about food preparation and it suggests that raw vegetables contain far more bacteria than cooked meat.
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The best answer will be provided by Dr.Colin T. Campbell in his landmark work "The China Study" . Dr. Campbell was not a vegetarian by any account, he grew up on a farm, became a leading authority in the protein research field, researched it for 40 years and … became a vegan because his results were so clearly indicating the link between cancer (and other diseases) and animal protein consumption (regardless of the contaminants, and environmental components)
Now, many people would side with the other research, they may be better informed in other evidence, or have emotional reasons to believe in healthy meat consumption.
Human teeth are designed for 4/32 part of meat, 28/32 part of plant food, so humans could probably consume meat and plants in corresponding proportion… But they don’t! they eat too much of meat of the animals that never run, wholse flesh is stuffed with unhealthy saturated fat (average saturaTed fat in lean chicken is 24%)
Big corporations lobby meat and milk consumption and indeed leads us to believe it is healthy. CHeck http://www.pcrm.org for doctor’s fight against some of the un-truthful advertisement.
Hope this helps – and please check http://www.choose-healthy-food.com/healthy-and-unhealthy-food-definition.html
Best,
Olga
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Vegetarian Foods: Powerful for Health
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vegetarian_foods.html
Get the Vegetarian Starter Kit from –
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/
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My grandma is a lifelong vegetarian. She’s still healthy & fit at 86 y/o today. She became a vegan for past 8 years, and I don’t see her diet had hampered her health status.
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a vegetarian diet is healthier, you can get everything you need, plus you don’t get so much fat and crap in your body, reduces your chances of hear disease, strokes etc
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Yes, yes, YES. Vegetarianism is SO much better for your body! In fact, many vegetarians live anywhere from 7-8 years longer (on average) than meat-eating humans. Meat is unnecessary in the human diet, and it’s also very unhealthy.
"Vegetarianism is considered a healthy, viable diet. The American Dietetic Association and the Dietitians of Canada have found a properly-planned vegetarian diet to satisfy the nutritional needs for all stages of life, and large-scale studies have shown vegetarianism to significantly lower risks of cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and other fatal diseases. Necessary nutrients, proteins, and amino acids for the body’s sustenance can be found in vegetables, grains, nuts, soymilk, eggs and dairy." -Wikipedia
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism#Health_benefits_and_concerns
No a balanced diet is healthy
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