Top reasons why you should consider switching to a vegetarian nutrition
Are you one of those who want to know what makes vegetarian nutrition such a trend nowadays? Then here are the top reasons why many made the switch to vegetarianism and begin lessening their intake of meat or avoid it completely:
Lowers risk of suffering from heart disease
Vegetarian nutrition is naturally low in cholesterol and saturated fat. It also focuses more on taking in plant nutrients, instead of meat-based ones. With this principle, you can anticipate its effectiveness in lowering your risk of developing heart ailments, like coronary heart disease.
Prevents cancer
You can also count on vegetarianism when it comes to preventing some kinds of cancer. Note that consuming processed meat and red meat excessively can lead to the development of colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. You can lessen this risk by eating more plant-based foods, like fruits and veggies.
Elevates energy
Another thing that a vegetarian diet can do is increase the level of your energy. It provides you with good nutrition and lessens fat in your bloodstream. Note that excessive fat buildup in your bloodstream might cause your arteries to have a difficult time opening up.
It might also cause your muscles to be unable to get adequate oxygen. This results in you losing energy. By sticking to a balanced vegetarian diet, you can naturally free yourself from artery-clogging and cholesterol-rich animal products that might only slow you down.
This diet plan focuses more on fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains that are rich in complex carbs. You will, therefore, get a good supply of energizing fuel.
Supports weight loss
If your goal is to lose weight, then adhering to vegetarian nutrition can help you a lot. It has been discovered that vegetarians have a lower body mass index compared to those who eat meat. It is mainly because they consume foods rich in fiber and nutrients, like fruits and vegetables. You can also adhere to a vegetarian diet if you want to reduce your weight.
Lessens your risk of developing diabetes
You can also follow vegetarianism if you do not want to suffer from Type 2 diabetes. It is mainly because this diet plan prevents you from taking foods that can cause a sudden spike in your blood sugar. It lets you take in more fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains and lessen your intake of unhealthy fats that might trigger diabetes.
Conclusion
Mentioned above are just a few of the numerous health benefits that vegetarian nutrition can provide. These, besides many ecological benefits, are enough reasons to switch to vegetarianism now and try to sustain it for life.
FAQ: Vegetarian Cooking
Will I be immediately healthier when I become vegetarian?
Yes and no. Of course, you will be much healthier if you follow the general rules of eating a balanced diet and making sure that you are getting the important nutrients that you are missing by not eating meat and dairy.
However, just avoiding animal products will not automatically make you healthier if you still consume a lot of nutritionally-lacking junk foods and you are not getting enough exercise as you are supposed to. Being a vegetarian also means subscribing to a healthier lifestyle in order to reap all of the benefits of having a plant-based diet.
Where can I get my protein from?
One of the biggest reasons why many people are discouraged to become vegetarians is that they feel like they will not be getting enough proteins. This means that they will not be able to build muscle mass. The truth is that there are plenty of plant-based foods that are high in protein, like tofu and tempeh.
However, it is true that plant-based protein is not as “potent” compared to animal proteins. With that, you either need to eat more tofu and the like or use dietary supplements, like vegan protein powders.
Is vegetarian cooking bland and tasteless?
Not at all. The great thing about vegetarian cooking is that it employs a lot of herbs and spices to make up for the absence of meat flavors. This means you have to be creative when cooking vegetarian meals, which is not that hard nowadays considering you can find thousands of recipes online.
Is vegetarian cooking difficult?
Not at all. In fact, it is usually quicker and easier than cooking meat or fish as the ingredients do not need that much in terms of preparation. Also, cooking vegetables do not take that long. It is highly recommended to avoid cooking vegetables as they will lose most of their nutrients.
Is vegetarian cooking expensive?
Unless you plan on cooking with exotic ingredients, vegetarian cooking is much better for your budget. Pound-for-pound, vegetables are a whole lot cheaper than meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. This means you will be able to eat more food for a fraction of the price.
However, unlike meat and fish, most vegetables do not freeze well. This means you will not be able to store fresh produce for more than a few days. However, you can still get your vegetables all year round by preserving them through pickling or canning.
