October is national vegetarian awareness month, and while many studies have highlighted the benefits of following vegetarian diet, many people still don’t want to give up their favorite meats altogether. The great news is that everyone can still reap some of the benefits of a vegetarian diet by cutting down on the amount of meat they are currently eating. Vegetarian meals also tend to be less harmful on the environment than those that contain meat.
The benefits of a well-rounded vegetarian diet include the possible prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and obesity. However, the catch here is that it must be a well-rounded vegetarian diet for you to truly get these health benefits, which means that trading burgers for French fries doesn’t cut it. A healthful vegetarian diet consists of a generous supply of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
What can you do in honor of vegetarian awareness month? Evaluate how much meat you are eating on a daily/weekly basis and take steps to decrease that amount. For example, you could plan one or two meatless days during the week. Or you could just plan one or two meatless meals a week. You could also check out the meatless substitutes for items such as chicken nuggets, burgers, and hot dogs at your local super market. How about choosing a vegetarian option when you go out for lunch or dinner? Many local restaurants in the Metro Detroit area are increasing the number of vegetarian meals on their menus.
There are also events sponsored by VegMichigan, the state’s largest vegetarian organization, that meat and non-meat eaters alike can participate in to help make the transition to more plant-based meals easier. Visit www.vegmichigan.org for more information.
Remember that the less meat you are consuming, the more health benefits you are receiving. So try meat substitutes, increase your fruit, veggie, bean, and nut intake, and resolve to become healthier and greener.
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