How to Be a Vegetarian: Eating Your Way to Health.
A vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat, fish, or poultry. You can be an ovo-vegetarian, which means you don't eat eggs but do consume dairy products. A Lacto-ovo vegetarian eats eggs and dairy products, while a vegan will eat no animal by-products at all. The term "vegetarian" traditionally comes from the Latin word vagus which translates to "lively" or "vigorous." There are many health benefits of being a vegetarian. For example, vegetarians typically have lower rates of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer than meat-eaters do. They also tend to be thinner than their carnivorous counterparts. Here are some helpful tips on how to be an excellent vegetarian!
What Is a Vegetarian?
A vegetarian is someone who abstains from eating meat, fish, poultry, and any other animal byproducts.
Benefits of Being a Vegetarian
A vegetarian diet has many health benefits. Vegetarians typically have lower rates of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer than meat-eaters do. They also tend to be thinner than their carnivorous counterparts.
There are many reasons for this difference in health outcomes, but one of the most important is that meat is high in saturated fats and cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic says "A healthy vegetarian diet can include all necessary nutrients."
Being a vegetarian doesn't mean you will never get sick or need medicine again—it just means you are less likely to be at risk for some of these diseases. A plant-based diet will help you lose weight if that's your goal, too!
How to Be a Vegetarian
The first step in being a vegetarian is to eat a balanced diet. A vegetarian diet should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. You can get protein from beans, tofu, lentils, and quinoa. Make sure you take a vitamin B12 supplement to make up for the lack of animal products in your diet.
The next step is to plan what you're going to eat before you go grocery shopping so that you won't be tempted by fast-food restaurants when you're hungry.
Vegetarians often find it helpful to keep their kitchens stocked with plant-based products like fresh produce and ready-made vegan meals so they always have access to healthy food.
When you're out at restaurants, remember that most dishes can be made vegetarian-friendly using substitutions like beans and rice instead of meat or fish.
A final way to be an excellent vegetarian is to avoid processed foods and choose unprocessed foods that are naturally vegan or vegetarian-friendly instead. When possible, buy organic produce because they don't contain pesticides which can harm the environment and human health.
A Day in the Life of a Vegetarian
The day of a vegetarian is typically much different than that of someone who eats meat. It's not hard to be a vegetarian, but it does take some planning and preparation.
A day in the life of a vegetarian might start with breakfast. Options like cereal, eggs, or oatmeal are good choices for eggs-less breakfasts. Lunch can include sandwiches made with turkey or ham, or salads topped with proteins like chickpeas or beans. In the evening, there are many options for dinner, such as vegetable stir-fry, pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, bean burritos, and tofu stir-fries.
In terms of snacks, vegetarians have tons of options! A few examples are vegetables dipped in hummus, apples with peanut butter, chips and salsa or even a chocolate bar!
Conclusion
There are many reasons why people decide to become vegetarians. Some people do it for religious purposes, others for environmental purposes, and others for health reasons. Whatever your reason, it is a healthy and rewarding lifestyle change. Vegetarianism has a broad range of benefits. From giving your body a break from meat consumption to reducing your carbon footprint, there are many reasons to become a vegetarian. Once you make the commitment, you will discover how easy and delicious it is to be a vegetarian.
