Is Vegetarian Really Better?

It seems today that everyone wants to be healthier, fad diets and weightless pills are just about everywhere and it seems like everyone is looking for a quick fix. One of the most popular options for those looking to better their diet is to go vegetarian, but is this meatless way of life really better for you? The answer in the long run is yes.

According to an article on huffingtonpost.com, “Countless studies have shown that a well-planned, nutritious, plant-based diet is associated with a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and stroke, as well as with longer life expectancy.” These benefits are making the vegan and vegetarian diet more appealing than ever before.

 These benefits can be most observed in the heart. As an article on nydailynews.com explains “Meat and cheese are high in saturated fat, and eliminating that is a good thing for your heart." They further explain that “Saturated fat elevates blood levels of LDL cholesterol, so-called "bad" cholesterol that contributes to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, putting you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke.” The vegetarian diet is a great option for those looking to lower the amount of saturated fat in their diets and improve heart health.

Dieters beware though often many people do don’t know how to properly make the transition to the vegetarian lifestyle and in fact end of negatively affecting their health. As nutritionist Lisa Young states in a New York Daily News article, "I've seen people gain weight on a vegetarian diet because all they eat is bread, rice and pasta. They don't incorporate nuts, beans and tofu. They just replace the meat with bread, bread, bread, and that's not good." Understanding how to properly plan a vegetarian diet is crucial to its success and health benefits.

 

Vegetarian May Not Be Right for Everyone

As with any diet it is important to consult your doctor before making the switch to the vegetarian way of life, and discuss whether or not the diet will be right for you. One New York Times article found that the vegetarian diet may not be a proper diet for nursing mothers, “The breast milk of vegetarian and vegan mothers is dramatically lower in a critical brain fat, DHA, than the milk of an omnivorous mother and contains less usable vitamin B6.” Vegetarian mothers were also found to have a significantly lower amount of carnitine in their milk, which is a vital amino acid that plays an important part in infant development.

 

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristin-kirkpatrick-ms-rd-ld/vegetarian-diet-mistakes_b_3226388.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/vegetarian-diet-better-article-1.1253309

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/04/17/is-veganism-good-for-everyone/a-choice-with-definite-risks