Benefits Of Vegetarian Diets That Will Make You Go Veggie

Although I can’t picture my meals without a slice of meat, it’s not that I haven’t thought about switching to vegetarian. After all, vegetarian diets are healthier. You’re simply taking meat off the list and adding food with a higher consumption of vitamins C and E, magnesium, fiber, unsaturated fat, countless phytochemicals, and so on. Whether you’re eating less meat or none at all, you’re doing your body a favor, and not to mention that this way, you’re also saving animals.

According to a new research, if everyone would switch to vegetarian diets, ‘one-third of early deaths could be avoided.’ A pretty large number of diseases, including cancer, can be prevented if we just stick to a plant-based diet. Moreover, vegetarians’ blood analysis shows that their blood has more natural killer cells – white blood cells that attack cancer cells, this according to the Physicians Committee. And if that is not good enough reason to do so, nothing will ever be. I mean, what is more precious than your own life?!

There are many vegetarian diets with most of them consisting of plant-based food and fair amounts of egg and dairy. While plants are low in calories, they’re very high in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Vegetarian diets might be healthy, but Dr. Axe says there is no guarantee they will result in health improvement. Regardless, they’re definitely healthier than eating meat. No meat, no problem!

Think over these reasons why you need to go vegetarian.

1. Save animals

This is probably the most important reason – by switching to a vegetarian diet, no harm will come to animals. Animal supporters claim killing an animal is the same as killing a human, therefore they choose the vegetarian life. Other vegetarians say it’s not about killing animals, but it’s about what they endure in factories, and how much animals suffer there. All the more reason to become a vegetarian.

2. Improves our mood

According to the Evening Standard, vegetarian diets improve our mood, thus, vegetarians are happier than the meat-eaters. And not only that but apparently, vegetarians also have lower scores on depression tests. Organic food keeps our minds fresh and our thought positive. Vegetarian life, here I come!

3. Protection against diseases

A low-fat vegetarian diet is the best way of preventing or stopping the progression of coronary artery disease – a disease which kills 1 million Americans every year. These kinds of diets also help reduce the risk of cancer. American Dietetic Association says vegetarians are most likely to have these benefits:

– Lower rates of cancer
– Lower rates of type 2 diabetes
– Lower levels of LDL cholesterol, etc.

4. Lower body weight

Give up meat if you want to have a fit and slim body. Vegetarian diets include lots of fruits and vegetables that will prevent you from gaining weight. They are low in calories but full in volume, making it impossible to over-eat, says Dr. Axe. With these diets, you also have a lower risk of obesity. But remember that if you want to stay slim, you also have to avoid sugar and sugary drinks, and not just meat.

5. Better skin and sight

ES also claims that vegetarian diets help you have clearer skin and better eyesight. Fruits and vegetables have a lot of antioxidants and high water content, both of which are good for the skin. Okay ES, you had me at better skin!

6. Save money

Meat is not healthy, but it’s not cheap either. So, while you are taking care of your health by becoming vegetarian, you are also saving money. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition even says you can save up to $750 per year with plant-based diets.

7. Longevity

It has been said that vegetarians live longer than meat-eaters. Michael F. Roizen, the author of The RealAge Diet: Make Yourself Younger with What You Eat, claims that you can add about 13 healthy years to your life if you switch to a vegetarian diet, saying that animal products clog your arteries and slow down our immune system. Are you still eating meat?!!

There are a few things to consider though, before going veggie. The benefits are numerous but it’s not that simple, according to Melissa Halas-Liang. She says ‘food is very personal’ and very restrictive diets can lead to eating disorders. Halas-Liang suggests that even if you can’t completely let go of meat, at least try to avoid processed meat and don’t include it in every meal.

But if you decide to go vegetarian, then, good for you. Whether you want to live a healthier life, save animals, save money or just love vegetables and fruits more, veggie life is for you. Just don’t forget to eat what makes you feel good, after all, that’s the most important.

You might also want to read: Unleash Your Inner Herbivore With These 9 Veggie Burgers