The Advantages Of A Vegetarian-based Diet

Posted on September 30, 2008
Filed Under Diet | Leave a Comment

Are you thinking about changing to a vegetarian lifestyle? There are environmental and health issues which you need to take into consideration if you are still part of the meat-eating population.

For the most part, those whose diet consists mostly of plant-based food make up a smaller percentage of the population. But what is it about meat that makes people want to become vegetarians?

Is it the way the animals are treated? Does it have something to do with the negative affects of a meat-based diet on the health? For you to make an informed decision, you should first learn about the pros and cons of these two types of diets: meat-based and vegetarian based.

Inspection of a Vegetarian Based Diet

The diet of a vegetarian contains a lower level of saturated fats, and a higher amount of fiber and antioxidants. More importantly, your risk of developing chronic and lifestyle-related diseases is reduced.

A downside of a vegetarian diet to consider is that you will not have a primary source of high-quality protein. You may also develop a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin B12, zinc, iodine, calcium and selenium.

To counteract this, vegetarians should always have a solid meal plan to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients their body needs to function properly. A growing solution to combat these possible deviancies is the addition of soy foods. Soy is high in protein and contains many nutrients.

The Problems with a Meat-Based Diet

First, you should know that both white and red meat is considered a great source of high-quality proteins. Red meat, in particular, contains the essential amino acids that the body needs. Iron, phosphorus and vitamin B12 are the other essential nutrients that you will be lacking if you decide to take on a mostly plant-based diet.

Let’s take a look at problems people encounter with a meat-based diet:
* Meat-based diets are generally high in fat.
* If you eat big, juicy burgers, for example, the quality of the beef that you are consuming may not be desirable for your health.
* Meat raises your cholesterol levels.
* You are more prone to cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure with a meat-based diet.
* Gout, arthritis and degenerative diseases are some of the health risks that meat-eaters may suffer, to which vegetarians are not usually subject.

The Verdict: Meat-Based Diet or Vegetarian-Based Diet

At the end of the day, it is still a matter of personal preference. If you think you can work through the problems of a meat-based diet and not give it up, then you can certainly do so. Making an informed decision is the key to making any type of diet work to the maximum benefit of your health.

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