6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Vegetarian Diet | Drawbacks & Benefits of Vegetarian Diet

A vegetarian diet focuses on an eating plan that is NOT meant to include meat or even poultry (such as chicken) and sometimes does not even include any fish or other animal protein. It is a lifestyle chosen so by many worldwide; for health, ethics, environment and culture. Some forms of vegetarian diets include:Description Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat both dairy products and eggs; this is the most common type of vegetarian diet. 

This allows for the centrality of all fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and legumes that provide a vast array of needed nutrients crucial for good health. If you are not eating more calories — which is what many folks do without realizing it when they take on a vegetarian diet — plant and whole, unprocessed foods can be packet-full of nutrition. Thanks to the wide range of plant-based ingredients available, whether for personal ethics or better health reasons, a variety of options in vegetarian style meals can enhance your overall diet.

It is important to know the good and bad of fermentated foods as they form an integral part of many traditional diets, a movement in modern nutrition. Yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut are some popular fermented foods with purported health benefits like aiding digestion and providing probiotics that help strengthen the gut. Is that they are contaminated if not handled properly or high on sodium to make you puff up. Knowing the pros and cons of these substances helps individuals make healthy, balanced dietary choices that help them get the most out of this way of eating while cutting down some health risks.

In this article, you will learn about 6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Vegetarian Diet | Drawbacks & Benefits of Vegetarian Diet In this article will you learn the pros and cons of vegetarian food.

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Advantages of a Vegetarian Diet

1. Health Benefits

A vegetarian diet is generally high in important nutrients because it includes fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Such nutrients may be associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. 

Vegetarians, who skip the meat in exchange for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, usually also have lower cholesterol levels as well as a healthier weight compared to their carnivorous counterparts thus helping ensure their overall health and long lasting life.

2. Environmental Footprint 

Vegetarian diets have a smaller carbon footprint than those that include meat. By eating plant-based, a vegan diet uses fewer resources (ex: water and land) to produce the food and has lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

Animal farming releases many of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, so a vegetarian diet is also beneficial in this respect; due in part to informed consumer choice and powerful awareness campaigns, demand for meat can wane.

3. Ethical Considerations

A vegetarian diet may be adopted for various religious or ethical reasons, as veganism. Unsurprisingly, the consumption of meat is one of the biggest contributors to animal exploitation and suffering in modern factory farming, so anyone who is not eating it has already removed themselves from this part of the problem. 

The moral statement agrees with an understanding which involves a compassionate way of living whereby we acknowledge the living being victims territory and animal friendly attitude in developing a responsible behavior.

4. Managing Weight

Vegetarian diets are lower in calories and saturated fats, so great for reducing extraneous weight. Because vegetarians focus on whole foods — such as fruits, vegetables and legumes — they are more likely to be at a healthy weight. 

This can help you avoid diseases connected with obesity but also improve your general health, which eventually leads to eating a balanced and healthy diet.

5. Improved Digestive Health

Vegetarian diet is usually rich in dietary fiber, required for regular bowel movements. Fiber helps you poop, relieves constipation and feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut. 

A healthy flora population is also associated with improved digestion, enhanced immunity and a lower susceptibility to gastrointestinal related disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome).

6. Lower Risk of Specific Cancers

Some studies show that a vegetarian diet could decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancers. 

A diet high in phytochemicals and antioxidants found in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains: protects cells from damage and suppresses cancer cell growth. That protective effect is also partly a result of reduced intake of processed meats, known to increase cancer risk.

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Disadvantages of a Vegetarian Diet

1. Nutrient Deficiencies

Some nutrients — vitamin B12, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids in particular — can be difficult to obtain from a vegetarian diet. 

These nutrients are found mainly in animal products and their absence can cause problems ranging from anemia, through weakened bones to difficulty concentrating. Vegetarians have to eat more deliberately or take specific nutrients to meet their dietary needs.

2. Restricted Diet

Going vegetarian means that food choices may be limited, with little variety when you are eating out or in company. Some times when you head to a restaurant or go to attend some function, there are not many choice for veg foods available which leads you stepping back from your vegetarian diet practices. 

For most people, this will mean that they eat the same foods over and over again for each meal, which can become really boring and make the diet unsustainable in the long term.

3. High-Calorie

Despite being a vegetarian diet, it one that can be high in calories. In the absence of proper planning, a vegetarian diet can end up being full of refined carbohydrates, processed foods and snacks leading to putting on weight! 

Vegetarians — who could end up eating more, particularly if they are not consuming foods that will fill them up and stabilize their blood sugar when the mood strikes — may feel unsatisfied by a meal consisting of carbs alone later.

4. One of the Social Challenges 

It can be hard to follow a vegetarian diet especially in cultures or families where meat is so important. 2) Peer (Parental Family, Husband): 

Vegetarian may be criticized by others who do not quite understand nor support his/her choice. It can be isolating, or make it harder to eat this way in certain social contexts (traditional meals come to mind).

5. More expensive in very rare cases

Some vegetarian-friendly foods -- including organic produce, many specialty meat substitutes, and fortified products -- can be more expensive than non-vegetarian equivalents. 

This can increase the difficulty of eating a diet that is rich in essential vitamins and animal nutrition for people who do not have a lot disposable income. Additionally, affordable, healthy vegetarian options can be hard to come by depending on where you live.

6. Lack of Protein

With a plant-based diet, inadequate proteins are often a problem for any vegetarian with high protein needs like athletes. Legumes, nuts and seeds are plant-based sources of protein, but do not contain all essential amino acids. 

Carefully planned meals are required to ensure that vegetarians can get enough protein, avoiding muscle loss and a reduced physical performance.