Health Benefits of Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism is a broad term that can encompass a wide range of dietary choices. Vegetarianism is the process of abstaining from the intake of animal meat, as well as abstention from any by-products produced by animal meat kill. Some vegetarians also do not eat fish or shellfish, while others refrain from eating dairy products and eggs as well. While a few vegetarians do eat dairy products and eggs, they do so in small quantities and as an occasional treat.

Type of Vegetarianism Lifestyle

There are some countries in the world where vegetarianism is more prevalent than in others. In the United States, for example, around 40% of the population has some type of vegetarianism lifestyle. These include people who follow a vegetarian diet, but do not consume any kind of animal meat or eggs. Many vegetarians also select a limited amount of milk, cheese, yogurt, or butter.

In general, vegetarian diets are made up of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes (such as lentils, beans, peas, and cowpeas), nuts, seeds, and other natural foods. There are some vegetarians who allow themselves to include meat in the diet on occasion. However, most vegetarians refrain from consuming meat. For example, at a recent cookery party, I was asked how I felt about eating a steak. I thought for a moment and then said that while I am a non-vegetarian, I don’t feel that eating a steak or some other type of red meat would be good for me.

Distinction between a vegetarian and a vegan:

The biggest distinction between a vegetarian and a vegan is in the way they handle food issues. A vegetarian only thinks about what he or she will have to eat. A vegan believes that no matter what he or she eats, it is cruelty to animals if the animal is fed food. Semi-vegetarians, also known as pescetarians, are even more strict in their dietary choices. They don’t eat any animal flesh or eat products such as eggs, milk, or cheese.

Many people wonder if there are any health benefits to being a vegetarian. Studies have shown that vegetarianism can lower the risk of many types of cancer, including colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Vegetarian diets seem to be linked to a lower risk of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Other health benefits associated with vegetarian eating patterns include improved circulation of blood and reduced blood pressure, decreased risk of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, gall bladder disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other degenerative disorders, a decreased risk of certain cancers, such as lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and cervical cancer, and a decreased risk of emotional disorders, such as depression, stress, and other psychosomatic disorders.

As you can see, both vegetarians and vegans have health benefits, which are the result of their choice to eat plant foods instead of animal foods. If you are not a vegetarian or vegan, you may be curious about the many plant foods that you may be eating every day without knowing it. By including a wide variety of these foods in your diet, you can enjoy many of the health benefits of being a vegetarian or vegan.