Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet | Vegetarian Benefits

A vegetarian diet, when well-chosen, can be more conducive to good health than an orthodox diet, and is linked with a reduced incidence of chronic diseases.

OBESITY: More fiber-rich bulky foods are consumed; therefore, less total calories are consumed. Also, the overall healthy lifestyle of vegetarians may lead to increased physical activity.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: A lifestyle void of smoking and excessive alcohol intake in conjunction with regular exercise decreases blood pressure. Diets low in fat and saturated fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables may also lower blood pressure.

HEART DISEASE: Most vegetarians replace meat in their diets with foods made with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and soybeans. These foods provide less saturated fat, more fiber, antioxidants, and promote overall lean body composition.

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS: High fiber influences the health of the digestive tract.

CANCER: Vegetarians tend to consume less fat and protein, and seem to produce fewer carcinogens in the body than meat eaters.

Additionally, many vegetarian societies maintain that a vegetarian diet:
• Is more humane, saving the lives of animals that would be slaughtered for food
• Is more economical than a meat-based diet
• Creates fewer demands on the environment
• Is more economical to follow than an orthodox diet

For more information on Vegetarianism, read about the History of Vegetarianism or see our Links section.

Does the thought of becoming a vegetarian seem appealing to you, but you're a bit overwhelmed? Are you trying to figure out exactly how to become a vegetarian? If you want to convert but are not ready to quit meat cold turkey, try gradually switching over. Start by eliminating one type of meat from your diet (like red meat). Then, after a while, stop another. And, throughout this process, incorporate vegetarian meals into your schedule. Start slowly, have a couple of vegetarian meals a week. Over time, increase the amount of vegetarian meals until meat is eliminated from your diet. In addition, get some great vegetarian cookbooks so you can keep meals interesting with some exciting meatless side dishes.

WHY EAT ORGANIC?

You might think that organic food is a fad only to be found in speciality shops. You might think that because most people don't eat organic, it must be something unusual. The truth is that 'organic' simply means food in its purest form, grown or produced without chemical aid.

When you crunch into an apple, bite into a burger or pour milk on your cereal these days a meal isn't all that you're getting. Crops and animals absorb the chemicals with which they're sprayed or fed - and next in the food chain to absorb these chemicals is you. Though you may be able to wash pesticide residues off the outside of foods, the chemicals do not disappear. Some break down slowly, and enter the food supply indirectly in our drinking water and through consumption of animal fats. Evidence shows that chemicals in combination – the way we are usually exposed in everyday life – may exponentially increase risk.

While there is not conclusive scientific evidence at this time to suggest that organically produced foods are more nutritious than conventionally-grown foods, healthy soils grow healthy plants which many believe taste better and contain more nutrients. Organic methods do produce wholesome food from healthy soil, and because they protect and restore the health of the environment, they ultimately help create a healthier world.



	BENEFITS OF A VEGETARIAN DIET A vegetarian diet, when well-chosen, can be more conducive to good health than an orthodox diet, and is linked with a reduced incidence of chronic diseases. OBESITY: More fiber-rich bulky foods are consumed; therefore, less total calories are consumed. Also, the overall healthy lifestyle of vegetarians may lead to increased physical activity. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: A lifestyle void of smoking and excessive alcohol intake in conjunction with regular exercise decreases blood pressure. Diets low in fat and saturated fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables may also lower blood pressure. HEART DISEASE: Most vegetarians replace meat in their diets with foods made with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and soybeans. These foods provide less saturated fat, more fiber, antioxidants, and promote overall lean body composition. DIGESTIVE DISORDERS: High fiber influences the health of the digestive tract. CANCER: Vegetarians tend to consume less fat and protein, and seem to produce fewer carcinogens in the body than meat eaters. Additionally, many vegetarian societies maintain that a vegetarian diet: • Is more humane, saving the lives of animals that would be slaughtered for food • Is more economical than a meat-based diet • Creates fewer demands on the environment • Is more economical to follow than an orthodox diet For more information on Vegetarianism, read about the History of Vegetarianism or see our Links section. Become a Vegetarian Gradually Does the thought of becoming a vegetarian seem appealing to you, but you're a bit overwhelmed? Are you trying to figure out exactly how to become a vegetarian? If you want to convert but are not ready to quit meat cold turkey, try gradually switching over. Start by eliminating one type of meat from your diet (like red meat). Then, after a while, stop another. And, throughout this process, incorporate vegetarian meals into your schedule. Start slowly, have a couple of vegetarian meals a week. Over time, increase the amount of vegetarian meals until meat is eliminated from your diet. In addition, get some great vegetarian cookbooks so you can keep meals interesting with some exciting meatless side dishes. WHY EAT ORGANIC? You might think that organic food is a fad only to be found in speciality shops. You might think that because most people don't eat organic, it must be something unusual. The truth is that 'organic' simply means food in its purest form, grown or produced without chemical aid. When you crunch into an apple, bite into a burger or pour milk on your cereal these days a meal isn't all that you're getting. Crops and animals absorb the chemicals with which they're sprayed or fed - and next in the food chain to absorb these chemicals is you. Though you may be able to wash pesticide residues off the outside of foods, the chemicals do not disappear. Some break down slowly, and enter the food supply indirectly in our drinking water and through consumption of animal fats. Evidence shows that chemicals in combination – the way we are usually exposed in everyday life – may exponentially increase risk. While there is not conclusive scientific evidence at this time to suggest that organically produced foods are more nutritious than conventionally-grown foods, healthy soils grow healthy plants which many believe taste better and contain more nutrients. Organic methods do produce wholesome food from healthy soil, and because they protect and restore the health of the environment, they ultimately help create a healthier world.
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