The Essential Components Of A Vegetarian Diet Plan

By Luise Dunker


A vegetarian diet is a diet that contains food plants such as vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas, seeds and nuts, and grains. A well-balanced, carefully planned vegetarian diet (comprising of protein, vitamins and minerals) can provide numerous health benefits including reducing risk of obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease and several other chronic diseases. It also lowers the risk of illness due to degenerative diseases. Read on to find out what makes up a healthy vegetarian diet.

Main Ideas Related To The Vegetarian Diet Regime

1. Protein

Protein is vital for the many functions of the body like the creation of tissues and tissue repair. A full protein molecule in most cases should consist of numerous amino acid molecules. Plant foods, however, do not have such proteins as plants don't have as many amino acids.

Some food plants that are good sources of protein include nuts and seeds, legumes (like beans, lentils and peas, soy products (soy beverages and tempeh) and whole grains. Soy is a complete vegetable protein. These foods also provide the body with other essential nutrients.

2. Minerals

People starting a vegetarian diet plan should also be sure that they are getting enough minerals like iron, calcium, zinc and iodine. At the present time, experts state that a great vegetarian weight loss diet plan is one that follows all of the recommended guidelines when it comes to such nutrients. For example, you should strive to drink or eat enough dairy products like milk to maintain adequate consumption of calcium. Other sources of calcium include green leafy veggies like kale and boy, as well as calcium enriched juice since all of these contain bioavailable calcium (calcium that the body can make use of instantly).

Plant based foods like legumes, grains, nuts, soy products are rich in zinc. However, the form of iron found in plant based foods is slightly different to that found in animals. The absorption of iron can depend on other foods in the diet, for example, vitamin C will enhance the absorption of iron whereas tea and coffee will reduce it. Great sources of iron include beans, tofu, oatmeal, lentils and spinach. Do not take iron supplements unless before asking your doctor.

3. Omega-3 fatty acids

These are essential for the proper functioning of the heart. Generally, diets that don't comprise of fish or eggs (as is the case with a vegetarian diet) are low in the active forms of the essential fatty acids. Canola oil, ground flaxseed, soybeans, soy oil and walnuts are good sources of omega-3.

Even so, when plant based omega 3 fatty acids are transformed into a usable form for the human body, there is often very little left so it is recommended that people should take additional vitamins and supplements, like algae extract, to guarantee adequate omega 3 intake.

4. Vitamin D and B12

Vitamin D is vital in the developing stages as well as for the formation of bones. Eating and drinking foods like cereals and milk will guarantee that your body gets enough vitamin D. Also think about eating breakfast cereals that are also fortified with vitamins, or other nutrients like protein or omega 3.

Vitamin B-12, on the other hand, is important for the formation of red blood cells and prevention of anemia. It may be pretty difficult to get enough of this vitamin on a vegetarian diet since it is almost exclusively found in animal products. Vegetarians should consider taking vitamin supplements, fortified soy products or vitamin-enriched cereals to get enough B-12.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire