What are the benefits & drawbacks of a vegetarian diet? Any vegetarian (Semi, vagan, lacto-ovo & more)?!
I eat all fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good oils, nuts, beans, free range eggs, non-homogenized milk...etc.
Health and nutrition is about balancing your diet, not eating "one way" and becoming obssesive about that one way. No matter what diet you're eating you'll still have to be aware of what you're consuming. For instance, there are "vegetarian" dinners in the frozen section that I wouldn't eat because they're made with high-fructose corn syrup and bleached, refined, white flour.
I suggest you do research on nutrition and what the body requires before you make a dietary change that includes removal of entire food groups. Once you understand your nutritional needs you'll be better equipped to make a choice regarding your diet:-). Good luck!
Answers: This really depends on how educated you are. Becoming a vegetarian/vegan/pescitarian does not mean that you eat cheese pizza and potato chips. I have been an ovo/lacto vegetarian my entire life and you have to be aware of your health and nutrition just as you would if you were an omnivore.
I eat all fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good oils, nuts, beans, free range eggs, non-homogenized milk...etc.
Health and nutrition is about balancing your diet, not eating "one way" and becoming obssesive about that one way. No matter what diet you're eating you'll still have to be aware of what you're consuming. For instance, there are "vegetarian" dinners in the frozen section that I wouldn't eat because they're made with high-fructose corn syrup and bleached, refined, white flour.
I suggest you do research on nutrition and what the body requires before you make a dietary change that includes removal of entire food groups. Once you understand your nutritional needs you'll be better equipped to make a choice regarding your diet:-). Good luck!
Personally being a vegetarian gave me a lot more energy, and helped me shed a few extra pounds... i just feel better... :)
benefit: you CAN enjoy a great eggplant parmigiana
drawback: you CAN NOT enjoy a great 1 1/2" thick bone-in ribeye steak.
Being vegetarian I found no drawbacks what-so-ever. I found it incredibly easy. I still ate cheese, eggs...which means that I could always find something to eat at any restaurant, I could eat all desserts...I didn't need to worry about protein or nutrients. I loved it.
About a year ago I started thinking about becoming vegan and did. It can be a little more challenging. I had to make sure that I would be prepared. After getting into a routine it became better and I love this life. I bring my lunch to work, I feel better, it's less expensive....I don't rely on cheese :)
I do a lot of research about nutrition and I find that is the best way to tackle something like this, be smart...be informed.
I found that I became a happier person. Environmentally I know that I am contributing, I am not supporting an the industries I am against. People can be harsh to veggies and vegans and at first it can throw you for a loop.
I think that everyone should try a vegan diet, it's nice to give your body a change, I used to eat vegan 1 week every 2 months and that's how I became full time vegan.
(Sorry for the long answer)
To break it down:
Vegetarian is a blanket term. It covers the 5 levels.
NO vegetarians eat meat. Fish and chicken are meat.
Lacto vegetarians - milk, no eggs.
Ovo vegetarians - eggs, no milk.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians - eggs and milk
Strict vegetarians - strictly plant based diet. Some call it a vegan DIET (which is NOT the same as being vegan) No animal products. No dairy, no eggs, no honey, nothing animal-derived.
Vegans - plant-based diet (as above). Vegan implies moral concern for animals and extends to lifestyles as well. We avoid animal products in our consumables such as shampoo, make up, cleaning products, and so on. No leather, wool, suede, silk, and so on, and we avoid animal testing. We don't support dog/horse racing, bullfighting, traditional circuses, zoos, aquariums, and so on.
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The benefits are numerous. We reduce our contribution to animal suffering. Our health usually increases (especially with a vegan/strict veg diet), our impact on the environment lessens...
p.s. vegan is pronounced vee-gun, not vay-gun.
Being any strain of vegetarian, be it lacto-ovo or full blown vegan, has an incredible impact on the person's health and the environment. Eating meat not only pollutes your body, but it also pollutes the earth - cows produce a lot of waste, and then the slaughterhouse produces a lot of waste, meaning one unhappy planet. And they pass on the pollution through the meat and into your body. Read "Skinny B*tch" for more about the benefits and drawbacks of a veg diet!