7 Interesting Facts about Vegetarianism ...

Eliza

There are many facts about vegetarianism that are interesting to know, but that can also help you decide if it’s right for you or not. Choosing to forgo meat is a personal decision that many people make for ethical or health reasons. If you’re on the fence about it, getting a better understanding of how it works and what it entails can really help. Here are some facts about vegetarianism that I hope help you make your choice.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

1. There Are Several Types

Most people understand that vegetarians don’t eat meat, but one of the facts about vegetarianism that you should know is that there are several types. Some vegetarians merely avoid meat, poultry and fish while others also forgo eggs, milk or any type of animal product at all. The foods you choose to eat and not eat are up to you.

2. It’s Healthy

There’s nothing wrong with eating moderate amounts of animal products healthwise except that some types are high in saturated fat and calories. However, skipping meat makes many people worry about being deficient in protein and other nutrients you need for good health. The good news is that the bulk of a vegetarian diet is made up of fruits, vegetables and grains, all of which are nutritious.

Frequently asked questions

3. You Can Still Gain Weight

While cutting meats from your meal plan can help you reduce your calorie intake and drop some weight, it’s not guaranteed. If you only skip meat but eat a lot of cheese and nuts, you may still be taking in more calories than you burn. Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you eat on a daily basis. That means that you can hinder your efforts with any type of food if you eat it in overly large portions.

4. It’s Good for the Environment

Surprised? While it’s true that growing fruits, vegetables, beans and grains does take energy, it’s far less than the energy needed to grow chickens, cows, pigs and other types of meat. It also takes more to process and package meats for shipping than it does to prepare plant foods for transport to the grocery store. By cutting out meat, you leave less of a carbon footprint, even if you only skip it a couple of days per week.

5. Lowers the Risk of Disease

In many ways, eating a vegetarian diet can reduce your risk of all sorts of health problems. Though cutting out meat isn’t a guarantee that you’ll never get a disease or illness, focusing on a healthy diet in general can keep you healthy and stave off health problems. A vegetarian diet has been linked to a lowered risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, according to information published by Brown University researchers.

6. You Might Need Supplements

As I mentioned above, a vegetarian diet can be very healthy. However, there are certain nutrients that are only available from animal foods. One important one is vitamin B12. Avoiding meat can also result in deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D. If you decide to become a vegetarian, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement to fill any gaps in your meal plan.

7. It’s Not Hard

When you have to eliminate a certain food due to allergies or other health problems, it can be very hard to avoid that food. However, becoming a vegetarian isn’t too difficult. Once you decide which foods you don’t want to eat, it becomes a matter of simply reading food labels and understanding which foods are acceptable and which ones aren’t. Fresh foods are your best bet.

Are you a vegetarian or do you want to become one? I’m a part-time vegetarian and only meat a couple of times per week. I don’t even miss it all that much. There are so many meat-free meals that taste delicious! Do you have any other facts to add?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Who can't go a week without bacon

Honestly I've been a vegetarian for almost 4 months now and I don't really have cravings for meat i don't even like the smell it actually makes me feel sick to my stomach

I'm pretty much vegan, however I do occasionally eat eggs from our own chickens which are of course very well looked after and cared for. Since going vegan this year, I have felt better than ever; living a guilt free life and also becoming increasingly more educated in food, nutrition and animal cruelty.

Gaining weight is correct. About a year ago I was underweight due to not eating a good diet (I never really liked meat), became vegetarian and gained weight.

I ve been a vegetarian for 6 years but i do eat diary products. I feel so much better since i cut the meat out of my life. Im more creative when it comes to cooking and i just feel good about myself

It's funny to me how people claim they are vegetarian but "ocasionally eat fish" and vegans who ocasionally eat "eggs".. If so then you are neither vegan or vegetarian, and people should learn to use the definition of what a vegetarian and a vegan is. Vegetarians do not on any occasion eat any form of animal or fish, and vegans do not eat any products from animals at all.. No animal related product.

Interesting, but I need a little meat in my diet. All in moderation :)

A good term for part-time vegetarian is flexitarian. Best definition is probably 'flexible healthier options'. I am however vegetarian for ethical reasons.

I love vegetable very much and never get sick to eat it everyday, because when i eat meat i 'm feeling guilty for the animals and i don't really like the taste...

Once you become vego every one else wants to make your diet their business. There are also some Vegas that eat seafood, not fish so much but shellfish and things like oysters and muscles. If your thinking about it I would recommend cutting out meat but keeping seafood as it's high in protein but still a very tender easy to digest. And after years your acid levels decrease and it can become hard for your stomach to handle meat again. Carbs become the thing your body relies on for energy, your body breaks it down and burns plant carbs faster then meat protein