We have been barraged with images in the media of vegetarians looking proud in their veggie costumes, sending out a message to anyone who cares to watch and listen to become vegetarians. In the Philippines and Asia, at least, their timing cannot be more than less perfect, with the country experiencing a rice supply crisis. Vegetarians are saying that vegetarianism can greatly benefit the growing populations in Asia, where rice and vegetables are staple food supplies. The vegetarians’ cause has been around longer than those low-carb and other diet methods. Those radical vegetarians not only look cute in their green leafy outfits, they look fit and sexy too. For them, vegetarianism is not just about smart eating, it’s also about saving the environment and the economy. Practically speaking, a vegetarian is defined as someone who avoids all meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and the by-products of slaughter, such as gelatine and animal fats. A vegetarian lives solely on a diet of grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits. Theoretically, a person becomes a vegetarian for reason of conscience, arguing the ethical implications of cruelty and killing of animals for food. Health experts say that the vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients our body needs, and that scientific evidence indicates that vegetarians may be healthier than meat-eaters. They say that this diet is good for us because it is low in saturated and total fat, high in dietary fiber and complex carbohydrate, and high in protective minerals and vitamins. The American Dietetic Association has proclaimed that “appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.” As reported by The American Dietetic Association and the Dieticians of Canada: “A properly-planned vegetarian diet is enough to satisfy the nutritional needs for all stages of life, and large-scale studies have shown vegetarianism to significantly lower risks of cancer, heart disease, and other fatal diseases.” Recommended articles are found on these links:
The Vegetarian Diet can be traced back deep into human history. Some scholars say it has something to do with economics and availability of food supply. Others say that the philosopher Pythagoras (circa 569–475 B.C.) and his followers started it all. They are the first known vegetarians. Food historians would later add the names of other philosophers, such as Epicurus, Plutarch, and some Neoplatonists who are said to have recommended the vegetarian diet to everyone. Vegetarianism would find its way to different religions such as Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
http://www.vegetarian-diet.info/
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/vegetarian.html
Leave a Reply