Vegetarian Diet - The Promise to Good Health

Vegetarianism changes the way you look at and think about food. It is a natural and holistic journey that must be undertaken for the good health of your body. A well balanced vegetarian diet i.e. one low in fat and high in fibre is enough to keep most complicated medical problems at bay like coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and even certain forms of cancer.

Vegetarians tend to consume more quantities of polyunsaturated fats which are healthy when compared to saturated fats present in all meat products. A typical vegetarian meal is one which includes a balanced proportion of grains, cereals, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, dairy and soy products. Since there is so much variety, you get all the nutrients that your body requires from this type of a meal.

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and having a vegetarian breakfast means double the health benefits. So replace the scrambled eggs, fried bacon and sausages with fruits, cereals and soya. It is always best to take a combination breakfast i.e. one which includes a portion of fruit, cereal and dairy products instead of just one item.

Fruits are rich in fibre, low in fat and also rich in most nutrients like minerals and vitamins. You can either take a portion or two of one or two different kinds of fruit; if you do not like to eat fruit as such, then make a smoothie with single or different kinds of fruits which is equally healthy. Try and include the skin of the fruit as much as possible especially for apples, grapes, pears, guava etc.

Include a portion of cereals in your daily breakfast and the best example is oatmeal which is an abundant source of dietary fibre. Oatmeal contains soluble fibre which delays the digestion and absorption of food thereby having a slow impact on blood sugar metabolism. Hence this cereal is highly recommended for diabetics. It has also been proven that soluble fibre can lower cholesterol levels in the body. For those who miss the taste of bacon and eggs, try the vegetarian equivalents like scrambled tofu and soy bacon.

You can prepare scrambled tofu in the same manner as scrambled eggs by adding other fresh ingredients of your choice like onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach. Soya is an excellent source of calcium and is also beneficial in reducing cholesterol and triglycerides. A vegetarian meal is also the best way to lose weight as recipes and diets prepared from fruits and vegetables are naturally lower in calories and fat.

It is also easy to digest, making it an excellent option for children and old people alike. Vegetarian food does not have to be boring at all; in fact, there are thousands of delicious recipes that can be prepared from vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts and cereals that you will soon forget that meat products ever existed. And above all, you can be the proud owner of a clean conscience while advocating cruelty against animals.