Thinking About Becoming A Vegetarian?

We are a country of meat eaters and always have been. If you don’t eat meat you are faced with reactions from mild amusement and pity to downright hostility. But, what are the facts? Is a plant based diet really good for you? Will terrible things happen to your body without an occasional hamburger to set you right?

Here’s some facts about vegetarianism:

Myth: If you go on a vegetarian diet you can forget about ever feeling full or satisfied. The truth is, if you’re eating lots of plant foods, you’re also getting a lot of fiber and fiber is the what makes your stomach feel full. Also, if you’re eating legumes like red, black and kidney beans you’re also getting the protein you need to satisfy your feelings of hunger.

Myth: If you become a vegetarian you will never have to worry about cancer and heart disease. While it’s true that a vegetarian diet can reduce your risk of certain types of heart disease and cancer there are other contributing factors that are equally, if not more, important. A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive drinking, obesity, high blood pressure and heredity play an enormous role in your overall health and can’t be offset by simply avoiding meat.

Myth: A vegetarian diet can provide you with all of the vitamins you need to be healthy. The truth is that while you can get most of the nutrition you need from a vegetarian diet, there are still some that you will need to supplement to stay healthy. Two vitamins that should be supplemented are vitamin D and vitamin B12. Vitamin D is created in our bodies through the action of sunlight on our skin but it’s very difficult to get enough vitamin D this way to stay healthy. This is especially true for those who live further from the equator and for those who have fair skin and tend to use sunblock on a regular basis. The only completely reliable sources of vitamin B12 are animal products such as meat and eggs. If you are on a strict vegan diet, you should make sure you take B12 supplements to avoid the possibility of anemia.

Becoming a vegetarian won’t solve all of your health problems but it is an attractive and nutritious choice that should be considered for a healthy life.

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