HealthyDietPrograms

Over the last decade, vegetarian-based diets have grown in popularity, as a product of both the health and animal rights movements. The key to a successful plant-based diet, however, is finding the proper balance between health, nutrition and ensuring your body gets the proper nutrients (protein, vitamins and healthy fats) that it needs.

While there are various degrees of vegetarianism, all of these diets are united around the principle of a healthy plant-based diet, whether their origin is religious and culture (as in Buddhism) or ethical in natural (such as vegan-diets.) Many at-risk individuals who suffer from a variety of health ailments turn to vegetarianism, especially those looking to lower the risk of heart conditions, diabetic complications and cardiovascular ailments. In particular, vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol relative to traditional diets, while also containing more fiber and vitamins than in comparable diet plans.

A large concern of vegetarians is in ensuring they meet their proper protein intake, as the USDA recommends a base level of protein consumption for healthy dieting. Importantly, proteins are comprised of “essential” amino acids, which can be obtained from a variety of grains and seeds. In particular, legumes (beans) contain a wealth of proteins, as do soy-based products, quinoa (a complete protein seed grain) as well as grains such as amaranth. Similarly, to ensure complete intake of Omega-3s, scientists recommend that vegetarians consume a variety of seeds, including flax and walnuts, which provides the body with the essential fats that it needs.

While there are ethical and lifestyle choices involved in vegetarianism, a larger movement has emerged as a product of culture, leading to a mainstream presence of vegetarian options in restaurants. The rise of vegetarianism in the West has led to the popularity of traditional Indian and Hindi cuisine, as well as a fusion of European and Eastern culinary traditions.