Vegetarian foods have come a long way since the days of rubbery tofu and twig salads. Today, vegetarian eating is based on a wide variety of foods that are not just healthful but also satisfying and delicious. Conventional wisdom has shown us that eating plants is better for our health, the animals and the environment. Just focusing on its impact on human nutrition, consider the following…
Eating more plants makes for a healthier heart! Vegetarians have much lower cholesterol levels than non-vegetarians and heart disease is much less common as well. Plant foods are typically low in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol. Many studies show how that replacing animal protein with plant protein helps to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Eating more plants helps lower our blood pressure! Studies dating back to the early 1920’s show that vegetarians have lower blood pressure than omnivores. The effects of a vegetarian diet occur in addition to the benefits of reducing the sodium content in the diet. Many patients with high blood pressure find that, upon adopting a vegetarian diet, they are able to eliminate the need for medication.
Eating more plants helps control diabetes! The latest studies on diabetes show that a vegetarian diet high in complex carbohydrates and fiber and low in fat is the best dietary prescription for controlling diabetes. Vegetarian diets that are also low in fat and sugar can help lower blood sugar levels and often reduce or even eliminate the need for medication.
Eating more plants helps strengthen our defense against cancer! Studies of vegetarians show that death rates from cancer are only about half to three-quarters of those of the general population. Vegetarians have been found to have significantly lower rates of breast, lung, prostate and colon cancer than non-vegetarians. Colon cancer is more closely associated with meat consumption than any other dietary factor.
Eating more plants helps prevent kidney and gallstones… and osteoporosis! That’s right, vegetarians are less likely to form these painful stones. And vegetarians might also be at lower risk for osteoporosis since eating too much animal protein is associated with loss of calcium from the bones.
Not to mention that eating more plants helps keep our weight in balance. The reasons to eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains abound. Contact us to make an appointment for a personalized nutrition counseling session and let us show your how!
Source: PCRM Vegetarian Starter Kit
