Archive for August, 2009

Vegetarianism and Your Health

Monday, August 31st, 2009
ned vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation. Appropriately planned vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets satisfy nutrient needs of infants, children, and adolescents and promote normal growth.

These nutrient requirements represent minimum levels and do not include any surpluses. All diets are made up of calories. Everything you eat and drink (besides obvious calorie-free things like water and celery, etc.) has calories in it. Vegetarians are still a minority in the United States, but a large and growing one. Carnivores seem to think that vegetarians are like dieters and that we want to cheat a little now and then. My father is convinced that if he can convince me of how good his corned beef and cabbage tastes, I’ll give in and eat it.

Younger vegetarians are usually part of a family that eats vegetarian meals for health or other reasons. Older children may decide to become vegetarians because of concern for animals, the environment, or their own health. Vegans are rarely obese and, on the average, ovolacto-vegetarians are leaner than those who eat meat. However, being vegetarian doesn’t guarantee a slim figure. Semi-vegetarian diets are diets that primarily consist of vegetarian foods, but make exceptions for some non-vegetarian foods. These diets may be followed by those who choose to reduce the amount of animal flesh consumed, or sometimes as a way of transitioning to a vegetarian diet. Many people who are vegetarians or who wish to become vegans or vegetarians are also concerned about the environment.

Raising cattle takes a great deal more water than raising vegetables. In 1996, government policies stated that a vegetarian diet is healthy, meets Recommended Daily Allowances, and does not lack protein. There is no restriction on the calorie intake so long as the diet is confined within the recommended foods. Despite the controversy over protein requirements, vegetarians athletes can easily achieve adequate protein providing their diet is adequate in energy and contains a variety of plant-protein foods such as legumes, grains, nuts and seeds. Vegetarians need not be concerned with eating “complementary proteins” at each meal but rather over the course of a day. The raw food diet is based on idea that everything should be eaten while living, or as close to living as possible. This living material is not necessarily the food, but the enzymes that are in the food.

Although vegetarian diets are higher in total iron content than nonvegetarian diets, iron stores are lower in vegetarians because the iron from plant foods is more poorly absorbed. The clinical importance of this, if any, is unclear because iron deficiency anemia rates are similar in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. These diets may be followed by those who choose to reduce the amount of animal flesh consumed, or sometimes as a way of transitioning to a vegetarian diet. Similarly, iron requirements of vegetarians are estimated to be 80% greater than those of non-vegetarians. However, the adequacy of iron intakes was not assessed in our study because the iron requirement distribution is skewed, and therefore the some methods cannot be used to estimate the prevalence of inadequacy.

Birth weights of infants born to well nourished vegetarian women have been shown to be similar to birth-weight norms and to birth weights of infants of nonvegetarians. Diets of pregnant and lactating vegans should be supplemented with vitamin B-12 daily. Most of us mean ovo-lacto vegetarian when we say vegetarian. Lacto-ovo-vegetarians are like lacto-vegetarians. But these groups of vegetarians do not limit their dairy foods intake to low-fat. In fact, more than one-third of current semi-vegetarians are age 55 or older, reflecting dietary changes driven by health concerns associated with aging. They are more aware of issues such as animal welfare and the environment and are more likely to contribute time or money to specific causes. We can relate the different pieces of information known and then the answer can be interpreted according to the specific need(s) of the person inquiring. Vegetarians are prevented from adopting a real food reform because they have the erroneous idea that the rejection of meat is all that is required to carry them into the dietetic heaven.

They do not know that a vegetarian diet may be even more dangerous than a properly planned mixed diet. Medical studies have shown that vegetarians are less likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, diet-related diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, so a vegetarian diet is very good for your health. Seniors and strict vegetarians are most at risk. Symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss can occur in those who are deficient. Vegetarians are less likely to form either kidney stones or gallstones. In addition, vegetarians may also be at lower risk for osteoporosis because they eat little or no animal protein.

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By: Leo D Pierson, Jr.

Vegetarian – Getting The Restaurants Involved

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Its one thing to move into a vegetarian discipline when it comes to preparing your meals at home. But things get more complicated when you go out to eat because you must be prepared to order appropriately at a restaurant so you get good foods but foods that are in line with your vegetarian way of life.

The first order of business that should rank high on your priorities early in your vegetarian career is to find and try all of the vegetarian restaurants in town. This list will come in handy when enjoying some social time with like minded vegetarians or to eat on the run or from work. Also these will be the kinds of restaurants where you can learn what kinds of recipes to look for and what you like in a vegetarian order.

But you won’t take all your meals with other vegetarians. If you are like most of us, you share your life with friends, loved ones and coworkers who are not part of the vegetarian lifestyle. So learning to find good vegetarian alternatives in all of the restaurants is one of the skills you will become adept at the longer you remain a vegetarian which is hopefully for life. One trick is that if you have a vote in the kind of restaurant to choose, go for Chinese or Italian. Chinese restaurants often have some great meatless offerings already on their menu so you can order vegetarian and not even raise anyone suspicions.

Similarly because you find so many dishes in an Italian restaurant that are pasta only, you can order a veggie pizza or just pasta with a nice sauce or maybe some broccoli and enjoy a fine dinner that is totally in step with your vegetarian rules. Any restaurant that already has a good selection of meatless dishes that are not set apart as vegetarian are a good choice because you can dine with your non-vegetarian friends and family members and not call attention to the differences between you and them. And since most restaurants have a good salad menu, that is always a fall back in any restaurant situation.

If your vegetarian regimen is vegan so you must also avoid milk, eggs, cheese or anything cooked in chicken or meat stock, you will have to kick your vigilance up a notch. The good news is that the vegetarian movement has become so large and wide spread that many restaurants want to accommodate their vegetarian customers.

By letting your waiter know of your diet restrictions, he or she can guide you to the items on the menu that fit your requirements. It is not uncommon to see the manager or chef of the restaurant come to the table to help you make a choice. Restaurants are in the business of satisfying customers so they want to make sure you are happy with their menu offerings. And by enlisting the aid of your restaurant staff in a cooperative and friendly way, you send a positive message to your dining companions that you can live a vegetarian lifestyle and still be a happy member of the community in which you live.

Most of us have a short list of restaurants that we frequent often. But every restaurant you go to wants to be on that short list and make you a valued customer. So network with your vegetarian friends and do your homework up front to find out which restaurants do well at accommodating the lifestyle of their vegetarian or vegan customers. Then develop your strategy for handling any situation where you find yourself eating out so you can come out of that experience with a good meal that fits your lifestyle and not miss out on the great social times that we associate with the eating out experience.





By: Paul Hata

Reasons for Choosing a Vegetarian Diet

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Let us start with a brief background on some the reasons people have chosen a vegetarian diet in our history:

The idea of vegetarianism is not a new one, by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed man has in one way or another eaten vegetarian diets since his beginnings. Granted, the first vegetarians did so only out necessity. Meat may not have been available due to harsh winters, animal migrational patterns or even poor tribal leadership. Only foraged food would have been available under such circumstances.

As man evolved and became more able to manipulate his environment, so came the option to choose. Available facts point to the first vegetarian ideologies being practiced in Egypt around 3,200BC where some religious groups abstained from eating flesh, as they believed it produced bad karma with regards to their reincarnation.

Around 2000BC Hindus, on the Indian sub-continent, began practising vegetarianism in the belief that a vegetarian diet is needed to reach spiritual enlightenment. Even today, Hindus make up the largest percentage of vegetarians on the Earth.

Also from the Indian sub-continent, around 600BC, came the religion of Jainism. In its teachings, Jainism insists that we honor the spiritual nature of all life. Extemely dedicated Jainists go to the extent of straining insects from drinking water and even wearing masks to avoid inhaling small, airborne creatures. They will only eat fruits that have natually fallen from trees and are not supposed to eat honey or rooted plants.

Janism is the only religion requiring their monks to be vegetarian.

Vegetarianism was also popularised in Ancient Greece by many of the great philosophers including Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Indeed vegetarians in Europe were originally referred to as Pythagoreans, after the Greek Philosopher Pythagoras advocated a vegetarian diet for its nutritional and ethical values. He claimed,

“As long as Man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”

It was not until 1847, when the first vegetarian society was formed in Ramsgate, Kent UK, that the name Vegetarian was first conceived. Contrary to popular belief, the word Vegetarian arose from the Latin word `vegetus`, meaning `lively` which was how early vegetarians claimed their diet made them feel.

Many reason have been voiced in favour of vegetarianism in our history including the long held philosophy that vegetarians are living longer, healthier lives than their meat eating counter-parts. Much evidence has already been accumulated to support these claims.

Now let us look at some of the reasons that justify becoming vegetarian in our modern society.

Necessity

The case of necessity speaks for itself really; anyone unable to find a supply of meat sufficient to sustain life must find an alternative until such time that meat becomes available again.

Economic

An Economic Vegetarian is someone who practices vegetarianism either out of necessity, lack of funds for instance, or because of a conscious or philosophical viewpoint that the consumption of meat is economically unsound and that vegetarianism will help improve public health and curb many starvation issues.

Environmental

Environmental Vegetarians are similar to Economic Vegetarians. According to the United Nations, the livestock sector (cows, chickens, pigs, etc) is one of the three most significant contributors to our most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. It is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases. The use of feedlots, for cattle feeding, is one of the most inefficient and environmentally harmful ways of producing meat; yet they still remain widespread throughout cattle farming.

Religion

Many religions support vegetarianism including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Taoism. They offer similar teachings which stress the value of all life and forbids the act of destroying life simply for human gains.

Distaste

Some people genuinely do not enjoy the taste of meat, suggesting it tastes sweaty or fatty. Others choose to be vegetarian because they find meat products aesthetically unappetizing. An example being, the carcass of a herd animal lying in a field would attract real carnivores such as big cats or wolves, but the mere sight would disgust most humans.

Animal Welfare

Many vegetarians, especially western vegetarians, are motivated by animal welfare. They see animals as our friends, with whom we share the world and not as mere food. The fact that most parents actively encourage their children to love and appreciate animals is totally contradictory to the way in which humans really respect and treat animals.

Personal Health

Possibly the single most reason more and more people are turning to vegetarianism, current studies are showing that vegetarians are living longer and healthier. A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999 found that the mortality ratio in fish eaters was lowest (0.82) then followed by vegetarians (0.84) occasional meat eaters also at (0.84) compared to regular meat eaters at (1.0).

A recent study shown in the British Medical Journal concluded that,

“Higher IQ at age 10 years was associated with an increased likelihood of being vegetarian at age 30…IQ remained a statistically significant predictor of being vegetarian as an adult…”

Conscience

Conscience is a conglomeration of all the other reasons. It is our moral conscience, which allows us to weigh up what we see, hear and know. It is our choice whether we allow it to influence out daily life. Those who are able to suppress their consciousness, deliberately or otherwise, will ultimately make a decision that will not favour the miss-fortunes of animals.

I hope, that in some way, this article will encourage people to explore vegetarianism as a real option. Whatever reasons for becoming vegetarian, one thing is not in doubt; vegetarianism is here to stay and it looks likely to become the preferred diet of choice for all humans in the not too distant future.





By: Colin Didcott

Indian Vegetarian Recipes

Friday, August 14th, 2009

When people talk about being vegetarian, many usually think that they do not have many recipes to choose from. Furthermore, being vegetarian in several countries like United States would only require them to eat raw or uncooked vegetables.

However, that is not the case for Indian vegetarian recipes .Vegetable lovers will find delight in eating the delectable Indian food recipes without the need to have the same old, boring, and dull taste that they have with the typical vegetarian cuisines.

The Indian vegetarian recipes have a wide array of choices when it comes to flavor. You can still taste that mouth-watering zest even if there is no chicken, lamb, or any kind of meat used in the ingredients.

With nearly 28 states, more than 50 languages and hundreds on ethnic groups located in different parts, India surely can be named country with most diverse cultures. Every state has its own history, traditions,

culture and of course food. Every state have its own style of cooking, every home differs in way of preparing a certain dish making taste of Indian vegetarian recipes even more diverse.

Indian vegetarian recipes are designed to be eaten collectively. Unlike western food, Indian vegetarian recipes cannot be eaten or served without a combination. Thus, even though you like that curried vegetable or chutney, try not to eat it by itself. Combine it with rice or Indian bread or with other dishes. This will help you enjoy the meal more and will not give any digestion problems later.

There is basic rule about how to combine Indian vegetarian recipes to make a complete Indian meal. Each Indian vegetarian meal should consist of starch (for example: rice and/or Indian bread), one or more main dishes (for example: a lentil and vegetable combination) and some kind of chutney. Usually two vegetables and/or lentil dish will be served with meal; one ‘wet’ with lots of soup and one ‘dry’.

For a simple meal there will be only few varieties of dishes while for an elaborate parties or festivals, more variety of Indian vegetarian recipes are prepared.


The Vegetarian Diet: Important Nutrients And Supplementation For The

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009
Folks unfamiliar with vegetarianism think of vegetarians as people who are missing out on tasty and nutritious foods. Some of the more enlightened people know that many vegetarians rely on discount vitamins to help supplement essential nutrients for their bodies. To the vast majority, however, vegetarians are all as pacifists who are unable to choose or enjoy tasty and nutritious foods.

The truth is that vegetarians come in as many different shapes and forms as there are diets. This means there are so many varied forms of vegetarian diet that it would make any one contemplating vegetarianism go nuts. Nuts do form an important portion of a vegetarian diet, but the point is there is much more dichotomy to a vegetarian diet than meets the eye. There are those vegetarians who consider milk and milk products as acceptable and then there are those that do not. There are those that consider eggs as an acceptable part of a vegetarian diet and others that do not. The diversity is mind-boggling. However, all vegetarians should consider discount vitamin supplements as an essential part of vegetarianism.

In some ancient cultures vegetarianism arose due to economic, religious or social issues. In South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, vegetarianism is based on religious traditions and economic reasons. The centuries of vegetarianism in that part of the world has produced a wide variety of herbs, spices and vegetable extracts that are now commonly used in western cultures. Recent studies have shown that the old-world ingredients such as garlic, turmeric, ginseng, capsaicin, psyllium, cayenne, fenugreek, various oils, nuts, etc. have great positive dietary benefits. In western cultures, vegetarianism is embraced more as a healthy alternative to weight-loss or weight-control diets. Whatever the reason behind one being a vegetarian, it is absolutely essential that proper nutrients be included in one’s diet.

Many animal products are main sources of key nutrients like vitamin-B12 and other essential vitamins. Any diet that avoids animal sources of such nutrients must find alternative sources to incorporate these into the diet. A common source for such nutrients is fortified cereal. However, the high sugar levels in cereals make fortified cereal an unattractive alternative. The sugar content in a typical American diet is extra-ordinarily high and is a leading cause of many diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. These diseases in turn lead to other life threatening conditions, especially as we grow older.

The average life-span in the United States and other developed nations has been steadily increasing. As we age, more and more of us are facing many diseases that come with age. Everyone knows that prevention is better than the cure. As a result, following a well-balanced diet cannot be stressed enough. A good diet is like stopping smoking. Just as it is never too late to stop smoking, it is never too late to start following a balanced diet. Obviously, the earlier one starts in one’s life in maintaining a healthy diet, the better the long lasting results. Children’s vitamins have now become the norm rather than the exception. Pre-teens and teens find vitamins as an accepted form of daily nutrition. Who has not heard the phrase, “Have you taken your vitamins today?” Young adults, middle-aged people and even those in their sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties are now beginning to understand the importance of adding discount vitamins and dietary supplements to their diets.

Vegetarians are especially at risk at being deficient in vitamins and important nutrients. The vegetarian is likely to avoid all animal products including eggs, milk, yogurt, fish, fish oils, meat, poultry, etc., which are the main sources of important nutrients. The only alternative source for such nutrients for the vegetarian is discount vitamins and dietary supplements.

To help vegetarians develop a healthy diet and include key nutrients in their diets, some online discount vitamin dealers are providing in depth information and a wide range of vitamins and diet supplements. Even as diets come and go, the importance of incorporating discount vitamins and supplements to a vegetarian diet must be a constant. In a fad filled society, where a brand new diet is introduced almost every week to the public as the latest fix-it-all to health and weight issues, a good diet is one regimen that is here to stay.

Most people do not have the time to keep up with the latest health news and developments. To assist, online discount vitamin dealers offer detailed articles and latest health news to keep the public abreast of key trends and happenings. Articles range from the latest bills in Congress that may affect the sales and distribution of vitamins to the latest research on organic vitamins and foods. For those interested in further information on the vitamins and supplements they are taking, additional articles are available as well. The recent developments of combining bottled water with infused vitamins are a hot topic. The FDA’s classification of various forms of water based on its origin; such as spring water, purified water and mineral water are also addressed on these sites.

In matters of diet, health and wellness, one must bear in mind that it takes time to see noticeable changes. It is no different when one is trying to see noticeable changes due to intake of vitamins and supplements. There are no overnight cures or instant healing. Diet is a lifestyle. It is a habit, something one does without thinking. Good diet is a habit. It is a matter of life-style and something that has become a part of one’s daily life. Long lasting lifestyle changes take time to develop. Ours is an instant gratification society where getting people to stick to a diet with discipline is a challenge. Results of a diet take time to become clearly noticeable. The advantage of incorporating discount vitamins and supplements into one’s diet is that it does not require any drastic changes. It is just a matter of taking the vitamins as a matter of daily routine.

As the ranks of vegetarians grow, so does the need for information about a proper well-balanced diet. Many celebrities who practice a vegetarian diet like Olympian Edwin Moses, tennis great Martina Navratilova, actors Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, actress Naomi Watts, music stars Shania Twain, Prince, Paul McCartney, etc., all take vitamin supplements. To maintain one’s vegetarian life-style and yet at the same time follow a good diet, discount vitamins and supplements are an absolutely critical part of the diet. In most instances, a vegetarian is a vegetarian for one reason, which is to achieve the goal of a healthy and long life. With such a goal in mind, it would only make perfect sense to ensure that no essential nutrients are missing in one’s diet.





By: Freelance Writer