Why Be a Vegetarian?

People are interested in a vegetarian diet for many reasons. Some see it as a way to have less impact on the environment and preserve natural resources. Some respect animals and are ethically opposed to eating them. Others want to prevent diseases and live longer. Whatever your reason, eating a diet based on plant foods has countless advantages.

An abundance of scientific research demonstrates the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. 70 percent of all diseases are related to diet, according to research from Tuft’s University. The American Dietetic Association agrees and asserts that a well planned vegetarian diet reduces the risk for many chronic degenerative diseases.

Consider these reasons why a vegetarian diet is an excellent choice:

You will keep your weight down
The national average of overweight & obesity in Malaysia has risen to 54% over the last 10 years. Researchers studied the eating habits of more than 90,000 people and found that vegetarians are significantly less likely to be obese than people who eat meat regularly. If you are interested in losing your weight, fresh fruit and vegetables should be the bulk of your food choices, because they are the lowest in calories of all groups.

You will have more birthdays
The Adventist Health Studies (AHS) found that people who follow a vegetarian lifestyle live significantly longer than people who eat meat. This fact caught the attention of National Geographic magazine and resulted in a feature article on longevity that highlighted vegetarian Adventists living in south California.

You will build strong bones
Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones lose calcium and break easily, is a common health problem among older people. New studies show that a high in fruit and vegetables is protective to the bones.

You will reduce your risk of cancer
One of the positive strategies for lowering your risk of cancer is to eat more fruits and vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens, cabbage-family vegetables, onions and garlic, citrus, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

You will reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
Research is quite clear. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains are protective to the heart, arteries, and brain. The global INTERHEART study found that men and women who eat more fruits and vegetables have a 26- 42 percent lower risk of heart attacks and strokes than people who eat few fruits and vegetables.

A vegetarian diet is inherently heart healthy because it includes little or no animal fat, less cholesterol, more fiber, and more antioxidant-rich produce.

You will lower your blood pressure
The best diet to protect high blood pressure is a diet low in meats and saturated fats and high in plant foods, says the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute f the National Institutes of Health. The institute recommends you make up the core of your meals from fruits and vegetables (8-10 servings daily) and you minimize saturated fat (fat from animal foods).

The AHS findings confirmed this recommendation with its finding that non vegetarians are nearly three times more likely to develop high blood pressure than vegetarians.

You will reduce your risk of your diabetes
Research also shows that vegetarians are less likely to develop diabetes, in part because they are less likely to be obese. Harvard’s Nurses’ Health Study showed that people who eat more saturated fat and high cholesterol foods are more likely to get diabetes.

You will keep your mind sharp
New research reveals that foods that are protective for the heart are also healthy for the brain and can help slow dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. People who are obese in middle age are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life.

You will avoid food borne illnesses
Dangerous bacteria are commonly present in raw meats, and vigilance is needed to prevent contamination of other foods. Washing fresh fruits and vegetables is also important to eliminate any cross- contamination from these other foods.

You will have more energy
You will feel better and have more energy with a balanced vegetarian diet free of cholesterol laden, artery-clogging saturated fat and high calorie foods that physically slow you down. Whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables are healthy sources of complex carbohydrates. They supply the body and brain with plenty of energizing fuel.

You will be more “regular”
Eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains means you will be consuming more fiber, which pushes waste out of the body. Meat and dairy contains no fiber. People who eat mostly unprocessed plant foods tend I have fewer problems with constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulitis.

You will help the environment
Eating low n the food chain requires less land and water resources for food production. While this is less of a concern in a country with lots of resources, as the population grows and water and land resources become scarcer, ecological responsibility become more vital.

You will save money
Meat is one of the most expensive foods people eat. All protein must come originally from plants, so you can choose to get your protein directly from plant foods.

What’s Your Reasons?
There are several types of vegetarian diets, and people have their own reasons for choosing a particular one. Whatever your reasons for considering being a vegetarian, you will find this healthy way of eating can be delicious. Give it a try. You could add years to your life to your years.