If you have chosen to give up meat and possibly dairy and eggs as well, you want to be fully prepared for any possible drawbacks to this new lifestyle.
For a vegetarian diet which is low in saturated fat (solid fat found in animal meats) this is for you.
According to www.livestrong.com, following a vegetarian diet may decrease your risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and hypertension.
With any diet or change in the foods you eat, you remove certain foods or food groups, limiting your food choices.
Saturated fats promote higher cholesterol levels, especially LDL or bad cholesterol. Plant foods, except for coconut and palm kernel oils, do not contain saturated fat. Vegetarian diets are higher in fibre than traditional meat-based diets.
When you are a vegetarian, this may be a disadvantage for you when choosing your daily meals and snacks. Depending on the type of vegetarian you are, you may be cutting out only meat, fish, or eggs and dairy. You will need to read labels carefully; many packaged foods contain animal products, such as frozen dinners or soups made with chicken or beef broth.
Vegetarians are likely to eat less of protein. Meanwhile, protein is important in any healthy diet because it gives your body energy, and helps fight against infections. Meat and fish provide large amounts of protein and with such absent from a meal, the vegetarian need to be sure to include other foods that provide these vital nutrients.
Vegetarians get their protein from sources such as nuts, peanut butter, beans, peas, spinach, oats, and whole grains. They can also take a protein supplement to ensure adequate protein levels.
A disadvantage for many people is how vegetarianism affects other areas of their lives. Your new lifestyle may be a burden if you have friends or family that enjoy restaurants with mostly burger or steak dishes.
Whatever your reason for the change, do your research and be willing to accept any and all disadvantages to develop a new way of eating.
