What Is A Healthy Vegetarian Diet?

In this vegetarian diet guide, we will take a look at vegetarianism and why many people choose to become vegetarians.

Is a Vegetarian/Vegan Diet Really Good for You?

A healthy, balanced, and well-planned plant-based diet fills all your nutritional needs. Contrary to popular belief you are not deprived of anything.

As human beings, we are “omnivores”, true survivors! Our teeth and digestive system is made so we can survive on almost any food source available.

However, availability in Mother Nature is not the same as availability in the supermarket! In nature, animal protein is harder to get, or hunt. Grains, vegetables, and fruits are far more bountiful.

If we consume too much animal products and processed foods we get sick, very sick. If all people were able to keep an adequate diet centered on plant-based foods we would all be healthier, meat-eaters or not.

A lot of people all over the world have chosen to become full-time vegetarians/vegans. Click on each link to read more about a healthy vegetarian diet.

What do Vegetarians Eat?

A vegetarian is a person who chooses not to eat meat, fish, seafood, or poultry.
A vegan also avoids using any animal products or by-products at all.

A balanced vegetarian diet is a plant-based diet that includes vegetables, fruits, cereal grains, seeds, and nuts. Some vegetarians also eat eggs and dairy products, while others don’t.

Can Anyone Become a Vegetarian?

Yes. Unless you have some reasons for a special health concern, always consult a professional nutritionist before radically changing any kind of diet.

Why People Become Vegetarians

There are several reasons why people become vegetarians; it may be for ethical, cultural, religious or for health reasons for example.

Or it may simply be that you dislike meat.

Types of Vegetarian Diets

Vegetarianism comes in many styles. What they all have in common is that the main food group is plant-based. Raw vegan diet, Vegan, Macrobiotic, Lacto-Ovo vegetarian diet…

Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

Choosing a plant-based diet is a healthier choice if you also think about what and how you eat. Just stopping to eat animal products does not automatically make you a healthier eater!

A healthier, more conscious plant-based diet is sometimes also a necessity for health reasons. Many illnesses can be prevented and symptoms improved by adding more vegetables and fiber to your diet.

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Vegetarian Nutrition

The key to well-planned nutrition is variety. Eat many different vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits during the day and the week to ensure you get all the vitamins, protein, and other nutrition that you need.

As a vegetarian, you might need to eat more frequently than a meat eater, since the food gets processed quicker in your body. (This is a good thing!) You’ll get hungry sooner than if you had meat for a meal.

So plan healthy snacks and fruit breaks in between the meals for a well-balanced diet. This in turn will improve your metabolism, (and help you burn fat when exercising!)

Vegetable Protein

Maybe you have heard that vegetarians don’t get enough protein?

Well, that is definitely a myth. Vegetarians eating a varied and healthy balanced diet, get more than enough high-quality protein.

There are many different vegetable sources of protein.

Vegetarian Food Pyramid

The food pyramid you might have been taught as you grew up has changed. We know now that a healthy vegetarian diet without meat and animal products is not only good for you but sometimes necessary for different health problems.

And a return to diets that centers mainly on grains, vegetables, and fruits instead of animal protein, fats, and processed and refined grains is what this healthy vegetarian diet guide proposes for everybody to live better.