October 1st is World Vegetarian Day and now more than ever we are seeing a rise in the number of people adopting the meatless diet. But just how tempting is it to make the switch? We’ve provided a list of reasons why you may want to make the change to meat-free meals.

 

A Healthy Heart

A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that adopting a vegetarian lifestyle can lower a person’s risk of heart related medical issues by 25%. Because meat is high in saturated fat, meat-heavy diets could lead to heart problems and high cholesterol over time.

 

Cancer Prevention

Over the last few years studies have shown that consuming red meat or processed red meat can potentially link to an increase in risk for cancer. Cutting out red meat from your diet can eliminate the risk for colon cancer almost entirely. Several studies suggest eating more fruits and vegetables can reduce your likelihood of having certain cancers in the future.

 

Losing Weight (and Keeping it Off!)

Two-thirds of the U.S. population (68.8%) are obese. Those who follow a vegetarian diet have been linked to sometimes having a lower BMI (body mass index) than meat eaters. Furthermore, a vegetarian’s risk of developing diabetes is cut in half by their decision to no longer eat meat (red specifically).

 

Avoid Toxic Contaminants

Many meats can contain hormones, herbicides, pesticides and antibiotics. If you want to be absolutely certain the food you’re eating has not been impacted, then cutting out meat can help you avoid these altogether.

 

Whether you choose to go vegetarian or not, use today as a great reminder to eat your veggies and maintain a balanced diet. To learn more about vegetarianism visit these sites:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian

https://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/vegetarian-diet-better-article-1.1253309

 

Sponsored by: