Vegetarian diet: Benefits and disadvantages
Those who want to be healthier start dieting. The vegetarian diet has been the closest option to achieve this. It is one of the first diets that exists, since its philosophy is very simple. Although today this has changed a lot for some.
The purpose of those who acquire this style of eating is to improve their health. However, some do not need it and begin to eat this way. No matter which of the two you are, it is important that you know what this diet entails and the different ways in which it can benefit you.
What does a vegetarian eat?
The word vegetarian refers to vegetables. So, that means it's a plant-based diet. However, this also means eating only vegetables and not consuming meat. Therefore, all those who are vegetarians do not eat meat.
What is the difference between vegetarians and vegans?
Vegans have become known in many places and have expanded their diet. Since it is similar to the vegetarian diet, people almost always confuse them, but they are not the same. There is a difference between both.
Vegetarians generally avoid eating all types of meat and many times it is due to health conditions that do not really allow them to do so. With their diet they seek to compensate for the nutrients that meat provides to the body. The only meat they usually eat is fish, since it does not harm them.
On the other hand, vegans avoid eating any product that comes from an animal. More than for health reasons, many wear this style for fashion. Some of the common things they don't eat are:
- Eggs of any animal
- Honey
- Milk
- Butter
In addition to these there are many other products of animal origin that they do not eat.
On the other hand, vegetarians do eat all of this. The two things that vegetarians and vegans have in common is that the basis of their diets are vegetables and that they do not eat meat.
Benefits of the vegetarian diet
With all diets what you want is for the body to be well fed and nourished. However, each one satisfies this need in a different way. Obviously, it must have some benefit for it to make sense to do it. The vegetarian diet has several benefits.
Provides cardiovascular health
Although the results are minimal, it has been proven that the vegetarian diet makes the heart a little healthier. According to statistics, those who follow a vegetarian diet are less likely to die from heart problems.
This is because they always eat fiber, making cholesterol lower and the metabolic impact not being as high. What is eaten most are nuts, legumes and whole grains. In addition to fiber, they have fatty acids, antioxidants and have a low glycemic index.
All this protects the heart. The good thing about these is that they manage to provide an excellent feeling of satiety thanks to their high calorie content.
Reduces the risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes
Although the vegetarian diet does not achieve miracles in this regard, it can help reduce the risk of suffering from it. The reason is that it makes the diet have a lower metabolic impact.
Less likely to develop cancer
There are several types of cancer that can be prevented with a vegetarian diet. Surveys say that people who are vegetarians are less likely to get cancer than people who do not follow this diet.
Weightloss
Because of the type of foods used in the vegetarian diet, people get too hungry. Lack of meat is not the reason for these results. Rather, this happens when you use the right vegetables and consume a good amount of fruits.
Disadvantages of the vegetarian diet
Starting a vegetarian diet can have several disadvantages. Some of these occur when the diet is not executed well and others come with it.
You have to study a lot
Do you have to study to be a vegetarian? Yes, although it sounds incredible. It is necessary for the person to learn what vegetables, fruits and legumes provide and how they can contribute to their diet. In this way, they will be able to choose the right foods to have energy and feel healthy.
Feeling tired and weak
When you do not have the necessary knowledge about food, this can happen, since you consume vegetables at random without knowing how they contribute. In this way, there is no benefit and it is not possible to compensate for the lack of meat. Poor diet can cause weakness and sometimes fainting.
It is very expensive
If you want to compensate for the lack of meat, you need to have a variety of foods, so that means you have to spend a greater amount of money. This is to have variety and not always eat the same thing.
You have to constantly evaluate yourself
It is necessary to have tests gradually to check that the diet you are eating is good. The values of zinc, iodine, iron, proteins and vitamin B12 must be found out.
Lots of limitations
To be a vegetarian you have to have willpower to be able to limit yourself to eating meat. Therefore, when a person goes to eat at a restaurant, he will have fewer options to choose from, which limits him to eating what may provoke him. Non-vegetarians have no limitations with this.