Think about the last decision you made. Whether it was to cut six inches off your hair, get a tattoo or choose to become a vegetarian, we tend to make choices without considering the effect they will have on our future. Of course hair can grow back, tattoo’s can be removed (painfully) and meat can be eaten again, but if we took the time weigh out the pro’s and con’s before making decisions, do a little research and think, “What am I going to think about this tomorrow?” we might find a little more value of these decisions.
So where am I going with this? Two years ago, I woke up one morning and spontaneously decided that I’m going to stop eating meat and seafood and call myself a vegetarian. I have always been a huge animal supporter and against any type of cruelty towards them, but I had no knowledge on all of the other great benefits that this type of diet would provide for my future health. (Not to mention the health of the 33 animals I would be saving every year!)
As a vegetarian, my diet has a low presence of the following:
- Total fat
- Polyunsaturated fat
- Saturated fat
- Cholesterol
And a little more of:
- Fiber
- Complex Carbs
- Fruits and Vegetables
By avoiding high fats that come from meat, poultry, gelatin and other animals fats, vegetarians have been reported to have a lower chance of obtaining a diseases like coronary artery disease, hypertension, cancer and obesity. Even though vegetarians see less fats in their diet, it’s still just as easy to have an unhealthy balance of foods by eating too much junk and sugary foods. Who can deny a bowl of ice cream or a serving of French fries? To ensure that enough nutrients and protein is consumed on a daily basis, weightlossresources.co.uk recommends incorporating a serving of each of the following food groups:
- Whole grains and cereals (rice, pasta, bread, Quinoa)
- Legumes, nuts and seeds (almonds, kidney beans, lentils, sesame seeds, edamame)
- Fruit and vegetables (The darker the vegetable, the more nutritious!)
- Dairy or soy (Fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese)
- Meat-less Protein (Tofu, Tempeh, peanut butter)
Getting an adequate amount of protein every day is the most important factor to a vegetarian diet. Without enough, one would feel tired, worn out and weak, especially if you live an active lifestyle! My biggest challenge while being at college and living in a dorm is finding foods that are high in protein to eat. To make sure I get enough, I drink a protein shake and protein bar every day that are both high in protein and low in sugar and carbohydrates.
Two years ago, I never thought I would be as happy with my diet as I am today. I get asked questions on a daily basis like “What made you become a vegetarian?” or “Do you think you will ever eat meat again?”. I have no hesitation answering both of these questions. Knowing that I am saving lives of many animals and also increasing the health benefits of my own life is what keeps encourages me to keep eating the way I do. I look forward to continuing to learn more about my diet and can never see myself eating meat again.
To learn more about a vegetarian diet, take a minute to visit these websites!
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20718479,00.html
http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/diet/vegetarian.htm