Thinking of becoming a vegetarian? Sure, it’s kinder to animals, and good for the environment, but you may be asking yourself “What good does a vegetarian diet do for me?” Well, here are seven good reasons to kick the meat habit.
1. You’ll be richer. By taking chicken, fish and red meat off your grocery list, and replacing them with fruits, veggies and beans, you’ll save on average of $4,000 a year.
2. You’ll be thinner. Because vegetarians take in less fat and more fiber, they are also, on average, much thinner than those who eat meat. And not just a little bit –vegetarians and vegans are, on average, 20 pounds lighter than those who eat meat. Not only will this make you look good, but you’ll cut your risk of obesity-related diseases including Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertension. Many health insurance companies also verify that a majority of the most expensive diseases to cover can be reduced when an individual has a lower Body Mass Index (BMI).
3. You’ll be cleaner. The EPA has estimated that nearly all pesticide residues in our diet come from dairy, meat and fish products. Fish, in particular, is notorious for containing heavy metals and carcinogens. Not only will you be helping your body cleanse these chemicals out of your system by not taking them in the first place, the phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables help to detoxify the body naturally. In fact, most detox diets often start by replacing all meat and dairy products in the diet with juices, fruits and vegetables.
4. You’ll be stronger — that is — your bones will be stronger. In order to digest animal protein, your body needs calcium, and if you don’t have enough in your system to do the job, it is taken from bone mass. Studies have shown that at age 65, the average bone loss for a vegetarian woman is 18 percent compared to a non-vegetarian at 36 percent.
5. You’ll live longer. A study from Loma Linda University showed that vegetarians live about seven years longer than their meat-eating neighbors. And vegans, who eat no animal products at all, live an average of 15 years longer. The China Health Project, which did one of the largest population studies on diet and health to date, found that people who ate the least amount of animal products have the lowest risks of heart attacks, cancers and other degenerative diseases.
6. You’ll slash your risk of ‘the big c’. The National Cancer Institute says that women are four t
imes more likely to get breast cancer if they eat red meat every day. Studies have also shown that a vegetarian diet also helps prevent skin, colon and prostate cancers.
7. You’ll have a happy heart. The American Heart Association recommends a well-planned vegetarian diet to reduce your risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that vegetarians who follow a well-balanced, low-fat and high fiber diet have a lower incidence of coronary artery disease and hypertension, two of the most common forms of heart disease.
Sally is a 29-year-old writer with a passion for health and wellness, green living, fashion and cooking. In her free time she enjoys playing with her two English bulldogs.
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