Vegetarian benefits for a 28 year old?!
Answers: I have not eaten pork for years. Lately my taste for meat is waning also. If I wanted to go vegetarian, would it still be okay to eat fish? What are the benfits of becoming a vegetarian? How will it help with my weight? I can pretty much eat anything. Is there some way to get a starter kit? Serious answers only please.
wel come to the world of vegetarian because of you more and more animals will save thgeir live thanks :)
Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.
Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.
A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.
Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.
Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.
Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.
Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.
Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.
Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.
ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:
More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.
1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.
" Source: Seventh day Adventists study
2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.
3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.
4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.
5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.
My skin is glowing with healthy meat free foods. here are some starter kits. I have never really had weight problem. My diet is full of varity and yummy foods. - i eat a lot of fruits and grians and nuts and beans! and veggies.
Get a good veggie book, there is one called How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian, - by Mark bittman
HTTP://www.vegstarterkit.com/
HTTP://WWW.GOVEG.COM - HAS STARTER KIT
HTTP://WWW.HSUS.ORG
HTTP://www.pcrm.org/health/VSK/starterki...
if you need more help you can email me. good luck!
Yes there are vegetarians who eat fish. But to really answer your question, you "can" eat whatever you like. Its not like there are veggie police out there enforcing your diet. We each choose what we eat and don't eat. Also, because Vegetarian's are not an organization, there is no such thing as a 'starter kit.'
Not to make fun or anything, but that part actually cracked me up. Like what would be in it? A starter pack of tofu and veggies? LOL.
Seriously though, there are many benefits to being a veggie. You are helping the environment, preventing through reduced demand, animal cruelty, and you will feel better.
In terms of weight, I know plenty of overweight veggies. Hint: Cheese in NOT a replacement for meat!
Lucky for you, in 2008 there are LOADS of meat alternative products on the market. I'm still partial to good old fashioned tofu myself, but Morningstar Chic Nuggets are to die for! ;)
Try it out. Try it 'part time.' Sample all the products available to find your favs. Try out lots of veggie recipes. You'll find that you can eat all kinds of wonderful dishes that are meat free and you won't even miss it! Even my meat-n-potato hubby likes lots of my veggie recipes.
Edit: I see there IS a starter kit (website above) - that cracked me up even harder! Funny. :)
PETA offers a starter kit.
Vegetarians do not eat fish.
Lower risk of heart disease, obesity, cancer, etc.
being vegitarian id the best i have not gotten sick for a while and i feel great its the best and i enjoy it i am thin and there is starter kits tht u can get on peta the have vegan starter kits too which i am and u can eat everything u did before juss not meat its easy there is a ton of stuff u can get good lck and welcome the club