Is it Healthy to Be a Vegetarian?
Personally, I think it is indeed possible to meet all nutritional needs from plant foods, but it’s not easy. It will involve deliberate, well-thought out meal plans to make sure that you get enough protein, iron, “good” fats, and other nutrients that are usually sourced out from animal products. For people like me who cannot or do not want to spend the time and effort (and yes, I think it’s an effort to be a vegan in today’s world), perhaps a flexitarian diet is more achievable– mostly vegetarian, but not totally so.
What do YOU think? There’s a vibrant debate at Opposing Views on vegetarianism. Chime in and let your views be heard!
Tags: diet, functional-foods, health, health food blog, health-food, Healthy Eating, healthy-diet, healthy-food, nutraceuticals, nutrition, vegetarianRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Healthy Eating, ~Fruit and Vegetables
3 opinions for Is it Healthy to Be a Vegetarian?
Organic Vending
Oct 19, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I think the problem is that some people just take it to the extreme - it’s one thing not to eat red meat, which is probably a good thing. But when you start cutting out fish, eggs other types of foods that can actually be very important to overall health, you are just going too far.
Alicia, Mental Health Notes
Oct 19, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Interesting post, Ruth. I’d never heard of the “flexitarian” diet.
I’ve been a vegetarian for over a year now, and while it hasn’t always been easy finding the time (and energy, ha) to learn about (and make) vegetarian-friendly dishes, the transition itself wasn’t difficult at all. Of course, for me it wasn’t about losing weight or cleaning out the ol’ arteries. It was a more personal choice involving animals and my conscience, and I suppose that played a huge role in motivation and will power.
And I’ve never thought (nor has my body felt) that I was “going too far.”
ThirstyApe
Oct 20, 2008 at 5:54 am
Ruth - I own the book (The Flexitarian Diet) that you show in your post. It is an excellent book with so many great recipes! The author Dawn Jackson Blatner is a well respected Registered Dietitian. The “flex swaps” she offers for many of the recipes are perfect for those of us that want to eat mostly vegetarian but still like the occasional chicken breast or piece of steak. I would highly recommend The Flexitarian Diet.
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