Vegetarian Diet?

Do you believe a vegetarian diet can be healthier than one that contains meat?Vegetarian Diet?
Hello I am a vegan have been for a year in may but b4 this i was a vegetarian as i was brought up as one so have never tasted meat or fish and i am healthy i am living proof u do not need meat or fish in your system, if u like u can take a look at my website myspace.com/veganwhitetiger...n hve luk at pics i have one posing my muscles-lol i take one vitamin tablet twice a week but only jst recenly started that but i will say u can be a vegetarian/vegan n still be fat and unhealthy if u eat fat n unhealthy foods jst like a meat eater would, but if u choose the right foods like me and my family do u can sustain a healthy lifestyle, u dnt need meat to be healthy infact most meat is full of cholestrol and all that stuff about u need fish for omega-i have never tasted or put fish in my body n im still alive and healthy, where does the fish get the omega from???...PLANTS,! Y r u thinking of becoming a veggie? i would recommend n like i say i am living proof u dnt need meat or fish in ure body coz it has never even entered my body! Good Luck!
Absolutely,but not necessarily.A diet of fries,cheese pizza,and soda is vegetraian,but I think a vegetarian diet can help change your eating habbits,it helped me.If I ate meat I would still be eating fast food,frozen pizzas,drinking soda,etc.It helped me become health conscience and make better food choices.Vegetarian Diet?
Yes and No. I was a vegetarian for a year in college. I did not change my life style and gained weight.
It is but you must eat healthlyThere are also junk food vegetarians.Vegetarian Diet?
Does it really matter what a bunch of strangers on the Internet believe? What should matter is what legitimate studies and organizations have proven. And basically, they've proven that YES, a vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat one.



Veggie diet in general: http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/faq.h鈥?/a>



Vegan diet may treat diabetes: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/2鈥?/a>



Vegetarian diet reduces cholesterol and weight: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/1鈥?/a>



Vegetarian diet reduces hypertension rate in populations: http://www.pcrm.org/cgi-bin/lists/mail.c鈥?/a>



Meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer: http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conte鈥?/a>



http://www.thevegetariansite.com/diet_st鈥?/a>
Of course. Suprised anyone needs to ask that these days with so much proven knowledge around.
definatly, I have never eaten meat and never will and am healthier than most of my meat eating friends, even those who exercise regularly. And I have peace of mind in knowing that no animal has died to fill my stomach.
yea i'm pretty sure, meat is too fatty
if your eating nuts then your ok your body needs carbs so you don't feel down
that question depends on so much it is difficult to answer.

A meat eater might eat a portion of meat and five fruit and veg a day,

he would be far healthier than the junk guzzling veggie next door.

Just because you don't eat meat, It doesn't mean you can't drown yourself in Hydrogenated fat etc.. eg eating tons of cookies cakes and doughnuts.

But meat isn't good foor you so cutting it out is best.

But you must be healthy anyway, just becoming vegetarian won't make you that much healthier, you have to cut out vegetarian junk as well.

But It most certainly can be healthier than eating meat,

just as eating meat can be healthier than the meat free doughnut and chips etc

# read some pages of this site www.vegetarian.org.uk
*no not at al.if you are veggy,then you should take supplements .you are missing the iron that meat gives you.
Although I am not and never will be a vegetarian, I do believe it to be overall healthier.
It's been proven that it is really not the diet, but amount of food (calories) one eat. If you eat less, you can pretty much eat whatever you want.



Here is a joke: THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION



After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health;



1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

2. Latinos eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

5. Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.



CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!.
vegetarians have a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.

in reality making smart food choices is more important that being veggie or not. eating hormone free food and non-processed foods as well as correct portions (not too much or too little) is more important than the foods themselves.

a vegetarian diet can be well balanced and more healthy (and usually is).
It's proven to be healthier! But....im a vegetarian and i dont eat a balanced diet so truely its the same as anything else it all depends what you eat just not eating meat makes no difference you need to eat more fish and nuts and lentils and pulses.
I think it can be as healthy but not necessarily healthier. It's also harder in that, by restricting what foods you eat, you have to be sure that you are still getting sufficient nutrients from what you are eating, especially Iron and B12.
For much of the world, vegetarianism is largely a matter of economics - meat costs a lot more than, say, beans or rice. As such, meat becomes a special-occasion dish (if it's eaten at all). Even where meat is more plentiful, it's still used in moderation, often providing a side note to a meal rather than taking center stage.



In countries like the United States where meat is not as expensive, though, people choose to be vegetarians for reasons other than economics. Parental preferences, religious beliefs, lifestyle factors, and health issues are among the most common reasons for choosing to be a vegetarian. Many people choose a vegetarian diet out of concern over animal rights or the environment. And lots of people have more than one reason for choosing vegetarianism.



Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian Diets

Different people follow different forms of vegetarianism. A true vegetarian eats no meat at all, including chicken and fish. A lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy products and eggs, but excludes meat, fish, and poultry. It follows, then, that a lacto vegetarian eats dairy products but not eggs, whereas an ovo vegetarian eats eggs but not dairy products.



A stricter form of vegetarianism is a vegan (pronounced: vee-gun or vee-jan) diet. Not only are eggs and dairy products excluded from a vegan diet, so are animal products like honey and gelatin. There are a surprising number of foods that you'd think might be vegetarian but aren't - foods like gelatin, which are made using meat byproducts; cheese, which is made using an animal-based product called rennet, and sauces such as Worcestershire sauce. Vegans avoid all these foods.



Some macrobiotic diets fall into the vegan category. Macrobiotic diets restrict not only animal products but also refined and processed foods, foods with preservatives, and foods that contain caffeine or other stimulants.



Following a macrobiotic or vegan diet could lead to nutritional deficiencies in teens, who need to be sure their diets include enough nutrients to fuel growth, particularly protein and calcium. If you're interested in following a vegan or macrobiotic diet it's a good idea to talk to a registered dietitian. He or she can help you design meal plans that include adequate vitamins and minerals.



Some people consider themselves semi-vegetarians and eat fish and maybe a small amount of poultry as part of a diet that's primarily made up of vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. A pesci-vegetarian eats fish, but not poultry.



Are These Diets OK for Teens?

In the past, choosing not to eat meat or animal-based foods was considered unusual in the United States. Times and attitudes have changed dramatically, however. Vegetarians are still a minority in the United States, but a large and growing one. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has officially endorsed vegetarianism, stating "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."



So what does this mean for you? If you're already a vegetarian, or are thinking of becoming one, it means that you're in good company. There are more choices in the supermarket than ever before, and an increasing number of restaurants and schools are providing vegetarian options - way beyond a basic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.



If you're choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important thing you can do is to educate yourself. That's why the ADA says that a vegetarian diet needs to be "appropriately planned." Simply dropping certain foods from your diet isn't the way to go if you're interested in maintaining good health, a high energy level, and strong muscles and bones.



Vegetarians have to be careful to include the following key nutrients because they may be lacking in a vegetarian diet: iron, calcium, protein, vitamins D and B12, and zinc. If meat, fish, dairy products, and/or eggs are not going to be part of your diet, you'll need to know how to get enough of these nutrients, or you may need to take a daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.



Here are some suggestions:



Iron

Sea vegetables like nori, wakame, and dulse are very high in iron. Less exotic but still good options are iron-fortified breakfast cereals, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and baked beans), soybeans and tofu, dried fruit (raisins and figs), pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and blackstrap molasses. Eating these foods with a food high in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, and broccoli) will help you to better absorb the iron. Girls need to be particularly concerned about getting adequate iron because some iron is lost during menstruation. Some girls who are vegetarians may not get adequate iron from vegetable sources and require a daily supplement. Check with your doctor about your own iron needs.



Calcium

Milk and yogurt are tops if you're eating dairy products; otherwise, tofu, fortified soy milk, calcium-fortified orange juice, green leafy vegetables, and dried figs are excellent choices. Remember that as a teen you're building up your bones for the rest of your life. Because women have a greater risk for getting osteoporosis (weak bones) as adults, it's particularly important for them to make sure they get enough calcium. Again, taking a supplement may be necessary to ensure this.



Vitamin D

Cow's milk and sunshine are tops on the list for this vitamin, which you need to get calcium into your bones. Vegans can try fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals, but they may need a supplement that includes vitamin D, especially during the winter months. Everyone should have some exposure to the sun to help the body produce vitamin D.



Protein

Some people believe that vegetarians must combine incomplete plant proteins in one meal - like red beans and rice - to make the type of complete proteins found in meat. We now know that it's not that complicated. Current recommendations are that vegetarians eat a wide variety of foods during the course of a day. Eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein, but also try nuts, peanut butter, tofu, beans, seeds, soy milk, grains, cereals, and vegetables to get all the protein your body needs.



Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential vitamin found only in animal products, including eggs and dairy. Fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals also have this important vitamin. It's hard to get enough vitamin B12 in your diet if you are vegan, so a supplement may be needed.



Zinc

If you're not eating dairy foods, make sure fortified cereals, dried beans, nuts, and soy products like tofu and tempeh are part of your diet so you can meet your daily requirement for this important mineral.



In addition to vitamins and minerals, vegetarians need to keep an eye on their total intake of calories and fat. Vegetarian diets tend to be high in fiber and low in fat and calories. That may be good for people who need to lose weight or lower their cholesterol but it can be a problem for kids and teens who are still growing and people who are already at a healthy weight. Diets that are high in fiber tend to be more filling, and as a result strict vegetarians may feel full before they've eaten enough calories to keep their bodies healthy and strong. It's a good idea to let your doctor know that you're a vegetarian so that he or she can keep on eye on your growth and make sure you're still getting adequate amounts of calories and fat.



Getting Some Guidance

When Danielle's mom knew that she was serious about becoming a vegetarian, she made an appointment for Danielle to talk with a registered dietitian. The dietitian and Danielle went over lists of foods and recipe ideas that would give her the nutrients she needs. They discussed ways to prevent conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia that Danielle might be at an increased risk of developing. And whenever Danielle sees her family doctor, the doctor reminds her to eat many different kinds of foods each day and to get enough protein and iron.



Danielle also tries to remember to take a daily standard multivitamin, just in case she's missed getting enough vitamins or minerals that day.



Tips for Eating Out

Danielle admits that eating out can be difficult sometimes, but because she does eat fish, she can usually find something suitable on a restaurant menu. If not, she opts for salad and an appetizer or two. Even fast food places sometimes have vegetarian choices, such as bean tacos and burritos, veggie burgers made from soybeans, and soy cheese pizza.



Because both she and her sister are vegetarians, Danielle's family rarely eats red meat anymore. Her mom serves salmon frequently, and Danielle eats a lot of pasta, along with plenty of vegetables, grains, and fruits. Danielle is also psyched about some of the vegetarian products now available in the grocery store. The veggie burgers, hot dogs, and chicken substitutes taste very much like the real thing. She especially likes the ground soy "beef" that makes a great stand-in for ground beef in foods like tacos and spaghetti sauce.



Remember that it's important to eat a wide variety of foods, and to try out new foods, too - regardless of whether you choose a vegetarian way of life.
Yes it is, and u have proof that vegetarians live longer
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posibly if you only eat animals that eat veg