Vegetarianism 101 – Important Things You May Not Know

Vegetarianism is each a food plan routine and a life-style. It’s marked by consuming solely plant-based meals and shunning meat like pork and beef. Whereas pure vegetarians or vegans solely eat plant meals and think about all meat, together with fish, and something derived from meat sources, corresponding to eggs and dairy, off-limits, there are other forms of vegetarians who permit dairy merchandise into their food plan. They’re referred to as lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Flexitarians or semi-vegetarians eat largely a vegetarian food plan however partake of meat sometimes.

However since solely a small variety of the inhabitants are vegetarians, those that plan to enter a vegetarian food plan are sometimes met with a barrage of misconceptions about vegetarianism. That is very true the place meal preparations are involved. Earlier than believing something you learn concerning the vegetarian food plan, you have to decide whether or not what you might be studying are frequent misconceptions that can solely derail you from experiencing the total spectrum of advantages {that a} vegetarian life-style affords. Listed below are a few of these myths and their corresponding reality:

False impression No. 1: Vegetarian meals is bland and boring.

Reality: If you’re used to consuming meat and fish, you may positively discover greens as having a special style. However those that have tried the number of greens, legumes and spices accessible discover that vegetarian cooking can truly be scrumptious. It permits earlier meat eaters to pattern completely different tastes and textures that solely greens may give.

False impression No. 2: Vegetarian meals doesn’t meet an individual’s every day protein necessities.

Reality: This stems from the slender view that protein can solely be taken from meat and dairy sources. The reality of the matter is that beans, nuts, lentils, tofu and soy are good sources of full protein. Furthermore, tofu and tempeh are good meat substitutes that vegetarians use so as to add a “meat-like” flare to their dish and get their required protein necessities.

False impression No. 3: Vegetarian meals is troublesome to arrange.

Reality: When you concentrate on the diploma of preparation required in cleansing fish and meat and all of the extraordinarily sophisticated procedures concerned in marinating and braising them, cooking greens develop into a cinch. Easy washing is all that is wanted to scrub them up. Apart from, it usually takes much less time to arrange greens. Getting ready salads is merely a matter of tossing and mixing whereas tofu takes much less time to cook dinner than meat.

False impression No. 4: Vegetarians eat solely salads.

Reality: That is essentially the most inaccurate false impression ever. Apart from salads, you may stir-fry, sauté, make soups and casserole dishes utilizing greens. You’ll be able to even grill them! Apart from these, you may also use greens in inexperienced smoothies. The place versatility is anxious, nothing beats vegetarian meals.

False impression No. 5: Vegetarian meals will not be available.

Reality: The rising recognition of vegetarian diets has additionally paved the way in which for vegetarian sorts of burgers, hotdogs, bacon and sausage. There are additionally frozen vegetarian pizzas and burritos in most grocery store cabinets these days. Sadly, like their actual meat counterparts, these vegetarian varieties have additionally undergone heavy processing that has stripped it away of helpful vitamins. Furthermore, they’re additionally heavy in salt content material which is detrimental to your coronary heart and your weight reduction efforts. An excessive amount of sodium within the food plan causes the physique to retain water and thus bloat.