A vegetarian diet is a diet that contains food plants such as vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas, seeds and nuts, and grains. A well-balanced, carefully planned vegetarian diet (comprising of protein, vitamins and minerals) can provide numerous health benefits including reducing risk of obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease and several other chronic diseases. It also lowers the risk of illness due to degenerative diseases. Read on to find out what makes up a healthy vegetarian diet.
Foundations Of A Vegetarian Diet And Other Considerations
1. Protein
Protein is vital for the many functions of the body like the creation of tissues and tissue repair. A full protein molecule in most cases should consist of numerous amino acid molecules. Plant foods, however, do not have such proteins as plants don't have as many amino acids.
There are still certain non-meat sources of protein, including seeds and nuts, legumes (which are lentils, peas, beans, soy products like tempeh) and also wholegrains. In fact, soy is a vegetable that offers complete proteins. These types of foods should be consumed for proper body functioning.
2. Minerals
Vegetarians should ensure they get sufficient zinc, iodine, iron and calcium. In fact, experts say that a balanced vegetarian diet weight loss plan is one that meets the current recommendations for these nutrients. For calcium, make sure that you consume enough dairy products such as milk. In addition, try eating leafy greens such as bok choy and kale or calcium-fortified fruit juices since they contain bioavailble calcium (calcium in a form that the body can use immediately).
Plant foods like nuts, legumes, grains and soy products have high levels of zinc. However, iron in plant foods is not the same as that found in meat based foods. How much iron gets absorbed into your body will also depend on what other things that you consume. For instance, absorption of iron will be increased with vitamin C but will be decreased with coffee or tea. Sources of iron to consider includ tofu, lentils, spinach, beans and oatmeal. Get your doctor's advice first before taking iron supplements.
3. Omega 3 essential fatty acids
These fatty acids are vital for the proper functioning of the heart. Generally speaking, diet plans that exclude fish or eggs (like a vegetarian diet) offer very low amounts of such fats that are in an active form. Soy oil, soybeans, ground flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil are excellent source of omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Nevertheless, when plant based omega 3 fats are converted for the human body usage, it is usually inadequate and so it is often necessary to take extra supplements or vitamins, like algae extract supplements to ensure that you fulfil your daily intake of omega 3.
4. Vitamins D and B-12
Vitamin D plays a key role in development and health of bones. Eating foods like milk, certain brands of soy and some cereals will ensure your body is supplied with adequate vitamin D. You may also consider consuming breakfast cereals as most of them are normally fortified with the vitamin.
In contrast, vitamin B12 is required for the development of red blood cells and for the prevention of anemia. Normally, it is quite difficult to obtain this vitamin for non-meat eating people as this vitamin is found almost only in animal products. As such, those on a vegetarian or vegan diet plans should think about taking additional vitamins, supplement, cereals with vitamin B12 or fortified soy products to get sufficient vitamin B12.
Foundations Of A Vegetarian Diet And Other Considerations
1. Protein
Protein is vital for the many functions of the body like the creation of tissues and tissue repair. A full protein molecule in most cases should consist of numerous amino acid molecules. Plant foods, however, do not have such proteins as plants don't have as many amino acids.
There are still certain non-meat sources of protein, including seeds and nuts, legumes (which are lentils, peas, beans, soy products like tempeh) and also wholegrains. In fact, soy is a vegetable that offers complete proteins. These types of foods should be consumed for proper body functioning.
2. Minerals
Vegetarians should ensure they get sufficient zinc, iodine, iron and calcium. In fact, experts say that a balanced vegetarian diet weight loss plan is one that meets the current recommendations for these nutrients. For calcium, make sure that you consume enough dairy products such as milk. In addition, try eating leafy greens such as bok choy and kale or calcium-fortified fruit juices since they contain bioavailble calcium (calcium in a form that the body can use immediately).
Plant foods like nuts, legumes, grains and soy products have high levels of zinc. However, iron in plant foods is not the same as that found in meat based foods. How much iron gets absorbed into your body will also depend on what other things that you consume. For instance, absorption of iron will be increased with vitamin C but will be decreased with coffee or tea. Sources of iron to consider includ tofu, lentils, spinach, beans and oatmeal. Get your doctor's advice first before taking iron supplements.
3. Omega 3 essential fatty acids
These fatty acids are vital for the proper functioning of the heart. Generally speaking, diet plans that exclude fish or eggs (like a vegetarian diet) offer very low amounts of such fats that are in an active form. Soy oil, soybeans, ground flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil are excellent source of omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Nevertheless, when plant based omega 3 fats are converted for the human body usage, it is usually inadequate and so it is often necessary to take extra supplements or vitamins, like algae extract supplements to ensure that you fulfil your daily intake of omega 3.
4. Vitamins D and B-12
Vitamin D plays a key role in development and health of bones. Eating foods like milk, certain brands of soy and some cereals will ensure your body is supplied with adequate vitamin D. You may also consider consuming breakfast cereals as most of them are normally fortified with the vitamin.
In contrast, vitamin B12 is required for the development of red blood cells and for the prevention of anemia. Normally, it is quite difficult to obtain this vitamin for non-meat eating people as this vitamin is found almost only in animal products. As such, those on a vegetarian or vegan diet plans should think about taking additional vitamins, supplement, cereals with vitamin B12 or fortified soy products to get sufficient vitamin B12.
About the Author:
Want to get healthy and happy? Visit our site to find out more weight loss diet plans and other great health advice.
For my I health I prefer vegetable juice. Juice is the best option for weight control and fitness.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Mangosteen Juice