Vegetarian Diets - Good for Everyone
Meatless Diets Must Be Balanced in Minerals, Proteins, Vitamins
Until recently, vegetarian diets were viewed suspiciously by doctors and dietitians on the grounds that they didn’t supply the nutrients needed for a healthy body, especially in the case of children. Current research has laid these fears to rest and has suggested that a well thought-out vegetarian diet could actually be beneficial to all age groups.
A vegetarian diet, especially for those suffering from diabetes or weight problems, can be easier to follow and can reduce sugar levels, LDL (bad) cholesterol, stimulate weight loss, and reduce heart disease. The Dieticians of Canada and the American Dietetic Association, in their June, 2003 publications stated: “Appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”
Furthermore, people on specialized diets find it easier to stay on a vegetarian meal plan than on a conventional diabetic diet. In a Globe and Mail article of February 4, 2009, author Leslie Beck examined a study done by the University of Toronto, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and the George Washington University. Researchers assigned 99 people with Type 2 Diabetes to either a low-fat vegetarian diet or a conventional diabetic diet for eighteen months. The conventional diet was based on guidelines put forward by the American Diabetes Association, and accounted for calories, monounsaturated fats, and carbohydrates. The vegetarian diet was low-fat and eliminated animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs. It did emphasize foods that are low on the glycemic index such as vegetables, sweet potatoes, and legumes. There was no restriction on caloric intake, carbohydrates or portion size.
At the end of the study researchers found that those people on the vegetarian diet had lost weight, reduced their blood sugar and LDL, and had lessened their need for diabetes medication. They felt that a low-fat, vegetarian diet improves the manner in which the body uses insulin. In addition, because this type of diet is high in fibre and low in fat, it is usually lower in calories.
There are also different kinds of vegetarian diets. Some types give up animal foods altogether, while others limit the amount of animal products. Lacto-vegetarians eat plant-based food as well as dairy foods, while lacto-ovo-vegetarians eat plant-based foods, dairy products and eggs. The most important thing to remember is: before starting any vegetarian type diet, it is important to speak with a doctor and a nutritionist to ensure a balance of minerals, vitamins, and protein.
Good Food for a Vegetarian Diet
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles