Nowadays vegetarian diet has become extremely popular all over the world. A number of people prefer vegetarian diet. Actually it is considered that a vegetarian diet represents a key point to health. Several organizations that work for animal rights combat against eating fish, meat or poultry. A typical vegetarian diet includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These products are extremely good for health. Have you ever had thoughts whether vegetarian diet is complete? Does it fulfill the body nutritional requirements? There are some advantages as well as disadvantages in being a vegetarian. Let’s have a look.

Advantages

A typical vegetarian diet contains cereals, beans, nuts, grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables. So it is high in vitamin C, folate and fiber. Fruits and vegetables give us minerals and vitamins needed for the health of the body. Tofu, seeds, beans are a great source of proteins. Vegetables contain phytochemicals that can prevent chronic disorders. Green leafy vegetables have many important antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables fill us with trace elements, beneficial enzymes and natural sugars.

Vegetarian diets include low fats, saturated fats and cholesterol. So it greatly reduces risks of gaining weight. And this decreases the chances to develop health troubles obesity can cause. This diet helps to lose weight in a healthy manner. A typical vegetarian diet reduces the levels of cholesterol in the blood and lowers risks of such disorders as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney diseases, osteoporosis, cancer and gallstones. Because of the action of high fiber diet, digestive function is enhanced. Vegetarianism will protect you from food-borne problems like mad cow disease, bird flu, intestinal parasites and so on.

Disadvantages

Though a vegetarian diet includes the essential nutrients, still there are some issues we are able to get in larger amounts from fish and meat. A vegetarian diet is generally low in calcium, proteins, iron, vitamin B12, zinc. Vitamin B12 is present in fortified cereals, soy products and also in animal products in large amount. Meat is a the main source of B12. Milk, soymilk and some other dairies are great source of vitamin D. Poultry, fish, chicken as well as meat have more zinc and iron. Yogurt, cheese and milk are abundant in calcium. The nutrients are present in vegetarian diet only in small amounts. Meat is rich in proteins and it also has all essential amino acids that the body needs. Phosphorus from meat is absorbed easier than the one from cereals and legumes.

As a matter of fact vegetarian diets are not appropriate for bodybuilders because they need a diet rich in proteins. A diet low in carbohydrates and proteins may cause anemia. Very often vegetarians suffer from bowel irregularities. If a diet is absolutely free of fats, this is not good, as particular levels of fat and cholesterol are needed for the nervous system development as well as normal functioning of the body.

There are some disadvantages in vegetarian diet, but it certainly offers a great number of benefits for health. If you plan a diet correctly, you will be able to overcome nutrient deficiency and enhance your overall health and physical fitness. Healthy eating habits are the key to healthy lifestyle.