Everything you need to know about switching to a vegetarian diet…
Are you thinking about going vegetarian or want to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet? Check out our simple guide to get you started on your veggie journey today!
What Is A Vegetarian Diet?
A vegetarian does not eat meat, chicken or fish. They also don’t eat gelatine products (like jelly) or stock or fat from animals. Their diet is made up of vegetables, fruit, grains, pulses, eggs, honey, dairy products and nuts and seeds.
What Is A Vegan Diet?
A vegan follows everything above, but in addition will not eat any foods that are by-products of animals, such as honey, eggs or dairy.
Is A Vegetarian/Vegan Diet Right For Me?
As with any dietary choice, it’s important to consider your own body’s nutritional requirements before making any significant changes. Some people find eating vegetarian meals 2-3 times a week fits better with their lifestyle and nutritional needs while others may have health conditions or dietary restrictions that make a vegetarian diet more challenging. Discover what works for you – have a chat with your doctor or a nutritionist to get more advice before making any changes to your diet.
Eating Out
Eating out can require a little more thought and preparation (for example, finding a restaurant with veggie/vegan options or calling ahead to ask what options are on the menu), however, a plant-based diet has enjoyed a massive rise in popularity over the past few years meaning more and more restaurants offer veggie/vegan choices on their menus. A top tip is to check the menu online before you go.
5 Reasons To Go Veggie
- Healthy Heart
A vegetarian or vegan diet can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Boost Your Brain Power
A plant-based diet can help keep your mind focused and sharp! Studies have shown that eating more plant-based foods might be linked to lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s.*
- Reduce Your Risk Of Certain Cancers
Eating less processed and red meat can reduce your risk of colon, rectum, prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancer.
- Manage Weight
Adopting a plant-based diet can make you more focused and aware of what you’re putting in your body. However, it’s important to remember that it’s all about the calories you consume and the calories you burn. You can just as easily eat more than your daily recommended intake of calories on a vegetarian/vegan diet than you can on a meat diet.
5. Help Save The Environment
For many people, this is the biggie! Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet can help save our planet. Animals emit greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming and climate change. The less meat you eat, the lower your carbon footprint. The Vegetarian Society say that eating a veggie diet means 2.5 less emissions than eating a meat diet.
