Eating Healthy For Vegetarians

The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style


of eating. The rules still apply with healthy eating,


although you should add variety, balance, and moderation.




A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat,


whether it be hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish.


Vegetarians are also sometimes classified by the type of


food they are or aren't willing to eat. For example,


Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh yet they


will eat eggs and most dairy products. A Vegan on the


other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of


animal origin.




Because they don't eat meet, vegetarians will often


wonder how they'll get enough protein. Although you may


not realize it, the average American actually consumes


more protein than he actually needs. For the lacto-ovo


vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of


protein. Vegans on the other hand, get their protein


from nuts, seeds, and soy products.




Along the lines of beans, there are several to choose


from, including green or red lentils, peanuts, split


peas, pinto, soy, kidney, and many more. Some of them


you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in


chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and


rice, and pinto beans. Although some beans taste good


as they are, others are available with different flavors


to help enhance their taste. Nuts are hihg in protein,


although they deliver a lot more fat than beans, which


means you should enjoy them in moderation. By having


one cup of cooked beans, you'll get the same amount of


protein as eating two ounces of meat!




The nutrients of concern for vegans, who avoid all types


of animal food, are vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D.


In the average North American diet, the primary source


for B12 is animals. To have an adequate intake of B12,


vegans should reguarly consume vitamin B12 supplements or


foods, which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products


or milk.




For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy


milk, as they are fortified with calcium. Beans and


leafy green vegetables will also contain some calcium as


well.




Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food


groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is


something you should always do. This is very important


for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy. If you


control what you eat, you'll have many years of healthy