Are you a person who struggles with frequent stomach upset and indigestion problems?
Still, unaware why it is happening frequently even after consuming less amount of meat or other non-vegetarian food?
I would like to ask a few questions.
- How do you feel when you eat non-vegetarian food?
- When you include/eat non-vegetarian food in your meals, do you feel active and energetic or inactive and lazy?
- Do you feel like sleeping or playing with children?
- Do you feel a change in your emotions?
Then proceed to read further to learn more about the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
What is a Vegetarian diet?
All of us know that a vegetarian diet is a plant-based diet that includes fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, different types of grains, and healthy proteins. It has enough nutrients and proteins to live a healthy life.
The reason why this diet is gaining popularity and people are switching to it is because of its long-listed health benefits. Looking into several benefits, many athletes have switched their diets. It is really easy and worth following a vegetarian diet for a healthy lifestyle.
It is a blessing for humankind.
Vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice that involves abstaining from the consumption of all animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. It is a way of life that has been practiced for centuries and is becoming increasingly popular in the modern world due to its ethical implications.
Vegetarianism can be divided into two main categories: ethical vegetarianism and plant-based vegetarianism. Ethical vegetarians avoid all animal products for moral reasons, while plant-based vegetarians consume only plants and exclude all animal products from their diet.
Both types of vegetarian lifestyles have their own set of benefits, such as improved health outcomes, environmental sustainability, and reduced animal suffering.
There are several benefits but In this article, You will be amazed to see the top 6 benefits of vegetarian food.
BENEFITS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN
There are 6 main benefits of eating vegetarian food. They are:-
1. It promotes bone health.
2. It is good for heart health.
3. It prevents type 2 diabetes.
4. Vegetarians consume less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins dietary fiber, folic acid, and potassium.
5. It helps in maintaining normal body weight.
6. It reduces the risk of cancer.
Let us see them one by one in detail.
1. It promotes bone health.
Vitamin K, which is obtained from leafy green vegetables like spinach, parsley, kale, and broccoli plays a role in maintaining healthy bones. This is the reason why many athletes are switching to the vegan diet.
2. It is good for heart health.
A plant-based diet includes foods such as Avocados, soybeans, nuts, etc. that are high in fiber and unsaturated fats, which can help reduce cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart diseases such as asthma, heart strokes, heart attack, etc.
3. It prevents type 2 diabetes.
People who follow a plant-based diet are less likely to have type 2 diabetes. Vegetarian food includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts which give enough nutrients to the body and there is no need to eat unhealthy fats.
4. Vegetarians consume less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins dietary fiber, folic acid, and potassium.
When we eat plant-based food, we consume less unhealthy fat and more vitamins which leads to a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.
5. It helps in maintaining normal body weight.
plant-based diets mostly focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
As we all know fruits are rich in fiber, micronutrients, and beneficial plant compounds and low in calories, fat, and protein. So they have less fat and less cholesterol. On the contrary, animal food contains more fats and they are high in cholesterols which lead to obesity and further lead to heart problems.
6. It reduces the risk of cancer
Plants produce many phytochemicals that protect cells from damage.Phytochemicals have many beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory properties. When we eat more fiber, the risk of cancer is reduced.
Apart from the above benefits, There are also several other benefits. Some of them are as follows:-
1. It makes the skin healthy and clear:-
Plant-based iron sources such as Kale, lentils, beans, dried apricots, and figs, and all the green leafy vegetables make the skin healthy and brighter.
Studies have shown that people who eat more green vegetables have fewer wrinkles as compared to others.
2. Nourishes the mind:-
Studies have shown that green leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli are rich in brain-healthy nutrients like vitamin K and beta carotene that help in cognitive development hence vegetarians can have better memory power than one who eats meat, chicken, and other non-vegetarian food. The food we eat is also related to our emotional health. Ayurveda suggests eating a plant-based diet for a healthy mind.
3. Less Environmental Impact:-
Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet can have a positive impact on the environment. It reduces the amount of carbon emissions associated with animal agriculture and can help reduce water and land use.
A green diet also helps reduce the amount of pollution caused by industrial farming practices. Additionally, it can help preserve biodiversity, as well as reduce deforestation and soil erosion. In short, eating a vegetarian or vegan diet is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact.
4. Saving carbon emissions:-
By replacing meat with plant-based sources of protein such as nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils, we can reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. The whole food production process of farm-to-plate totals 26% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
SMALL HELPFUL TIPS:-
Here are some small tips which might help you to follow a plant-based diet:-
1. Watching the protein.
2. Stocking up on healthy foods.
3. Try a new fruit or vegetable once a week.
4. Experience with substitutes such as eating Quorn instead of meat.
5. You can start with small changes such as avoiding one non-veg food for a month. Let’s say avoid eating chicken for a month.
6. Last but not least, do not become too harsh on yourself as it won’t last long if you force yourself to do anything. Just imagine the long-term benefits and importance and it will become easier for you to make the right decision.
Conclusion / Takeaway
- Eating vegetarian food has several health benefits.
- Besides being good for the body, a plant-based diet is also good for the mind.
- Knowing the long-term benefits of vegetarianism makes it an easy decision.
Are you currently following a diet that you want to change?
Have you ever tried to switch your diet? Is there any other benefit that you experienced?
Vegetarian versus Non-Vegetarian
Following a vegetarian diet can have several health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering blood sugars. To me being a vegetarian has always meant cutting out meat, but still eating cheese and using milk. So,when discussing vegetarian food, would you include dairy products as part of the diet?
You mention non-vegetarian food, but do you have a list of foods that a vegetarian will avoid? Thank you.
Hi LineCowley,
I will definitely include information related to vegan diet( the diet which excludes dairy products) in my future post. Till now, I have only written posts regarding vegetarian diet (the diet which also includes dairy products ). I appreciate your feedback on my website but i have already added those two benefits(please see point 2 and 3 in detail).
Thanx for the lovely feedback on my website.
regards and all the best.
Manisha