You’ve probably heard of people who decide to adopt a vegetarian diet, reducing their meat and animal protein consumption. Many of these people seek a healthier life, looking to have a better lifestyle; others are looking to help preserve natural resources and many species.
There are many reasons you seek a diet with less meat consumption. Understand below why to be a vegetarian and the main reasons for following a vegetarian diet.
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What Is A Vegetarian, And What Type?
Within the group of vegetarians, there are some types of diets containing restrictions on different types of food. There are Lacto-ovo vegetarians, who are those people who do not consume any meat, be it beef, chicken, pork, or fish, but who maintain the consumption of foods such as milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese, among others.
A study showed that a vegetarian diet could reduce the risks of chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and some types of cancer, such as colon, breast, prostate, and stomach cancer.
Here are some of the reasons and why to be a vegetarian:
It Helps Maintain The Ideal Weight
The rates of overweight and obesity only increase in modern society, and one of the causes of this fact is the quality of the current diet. The traditional diet of many people is based on foods rich in simple carbohydrates and containing high levels of saturated fats.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, about 64% of adults and about 15% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight. In addition, this portion of the population is at greater risk of developing diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Increases Life Expectancy
Several studies have shown that a vegetarian diet can prolong life expectancy and increase health. People who eat more foods rich in saturated fats have a higher risk of developing diseases.
This is because foods of animal origin contain high levels of saturated fats. These can cause an increase in alarming cholesterol rates, causing clogged arteries, disrupting the immune system’s performance, and increasing the risk of developing numerous cardiovascular diseases.
Improves Gut Health
A vegetarian diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and foods made from grains. All these foods have high fiber contents that help clean the intestines, thus improving the absorption of nutrients. Fibers are essential to prevent the accumulation of toxic waste in the body and can, over time, cause various problems.
Reduces The Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
Excessive consumption of foods rich in saturated fats is one of the leading causes of the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, among many others. Saturated fats promote an increase in the rate of bad cholesterol (LDL) and stimulate the accumulation of fatty plaques in the arteries, causing blood pressure to rise due to the clogging of these vessels.
Lower Risk Of Developing Diabetes
Several studies link a vegetarian diet to lower risks of developing diabetes. A lot of research shows a relationship between increased meat consumption and increased disease.
It is believed that the greater consumption of fibers through the vegetarian diet is one of the main factors responsible for reducing the index since the fibers promote more significant control of blood glucose in the bloodstream and, thus, there is greater control in the release of the hormone insulin.
Contribute To The Preservation Of Natural Resources
The animal food industry and livestock use a considerable amount of natural resources that could be reduced if meat consumption were lower by society. Fossil fuel is enormous for creating birds, cattle, pigs, and many other animals.
The consumption of water and energy for raising animals is also another big problem. It is estimated that 3 to 15 times more water is used to produce animal proteins than for the production of plant proteins. Therefore, all these resources could be better used if there was less meat consumption.
Help The Animals
You still haven’t figured out why to be a vegetarian? Well, this could be one of the big reasons. Unfortunately, many people do not know the actual conditions in which many animals are treated on farms. The cruelty used in creating many of them is enormous. In modern industries, these animals are frequently injected with hormones and stimulants to grow faster.
Tips For Being A Vegetarian
Having a vegetarian diet requires planning as well as discipline. To follow a new diet practically, it is essential to know which foods to remove and which to insert to maintain an adequate intake of all nutrients and maintain a healthier life.
Maintain Adequate Protein Intake
This is, of course, the first concern of people who need to follow a vegetarian diet because, by removing meat from the diet, there will be less protein consumption. Several sources of vegetable proteins can also be inserted and added to the diet.
Avoid Eating Foods Rich In Simple Carbohydrates
By reducing or removing meat from their diet, many people increase the amount of carbohydrate-rich foods that are, for the most part, rich in sugars and simple carbohydrates. These foods can increase blood glucose levels and cause more fat to accumulate in the body.
