Importance of balancing veg and nonveg diet!
Neither a successful healthy diet necessarily means to have
only vegetarian-diet nor a meat free diet always. People who go vegetarian may
have to take a lot of supplements, and would definitely need to put in a lot of
effort to have a balanced meal full of essential macro and micronutrients.
Evaluating pro and cons of both veg and non-veg eating habit we can adjust our
diet plan according to our body need.
Benefits of veg diet:
A lot of scientific evidence indicates that wholesome vegetarian
diets offer distinct advantages compared to diets containing meat. Undoubtedly,
there are many benefits of a vegetarian diet. To begin with, vegetarian diets
are easy to digest, whereas meats can be difficult to digest. The fats in meat
are saturated, which means they are unhealthy and contribute to higher
cholesterol levels. Plant sources of food, on the other hand, are rich in fiber,
unsaturated fat, roughage, complex carbohydrates, magnesium, folic acid,
vitamin C and E, carotenoids and other phytochemicals. Dietary fiber helps
prevent colon cancer, which is more prevalent in meat eaters. Proponents of
vegetarian diet claim that veggie diets have high-protein gems like cottage
cheese, nuts, and tofu. But pure veg-diet intake low calories which is
essential for reducing fat in our body. Vitamin K is more found in green leafy
vegetables (kale, spinach, turnip greens, collards, Swiss chard, mustard
greens, parsley, romaine, and green leaf lettuce) and vegetables (Brussels
sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage) compare to fish, liver, meat,
eggs, and cereals. Most importantly, the risk of dying from heart disease is
less in vegetarian people as compared to non-vegetarians due to less saturated
fats consumptions which increase our life duration.
Deficits in pure veg diet:
However, a totally vegetarian diet can be deficient in
several nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B12 and A,
n-3 fatty acids and iodine. Although vegetarians can consume protein through
legumes, cereal products, pulses and nuts, these protein sources are
incomplete. A complete protein contains the essential amino acids that your
body needs, and animal products provide a complete protein. Many animal
products are also high in iron and vitamin B12. Iron found in animal products
is easier for your body to absorb. A deficiency in iron or B12 can result in
fatigue. For women, who lose iron through menstruation, getting enough iron
through their diet is important. As a result, a purely vegetarian diet, which
is not planned well, may prove very bad for health.
Merits of non-veg diet:
There are several health benefits that a meat lover enjoys.
First but not the least, wide variety in food items can be prepared with
non-veg mixing with different vegetables to enhance its taste. Secondly,
sufficient protein, Omega 3 (fights heart diseases, sharpen brains, prevent
cancer.), zinc, calcium (helps in strengthening bones and teeth) vitamin B 12
(help for the formation of red blood cells and nerve fibers. If our bodies do
not produce enough red blood cells it can lead to iron deficiency known as anemia.
The deficiency of iron or vitamin B 12 can result in fatigue.) and iron consist
in meat, fish, eggs and milk. Thirdly, (meat, chicken and fish along with eggs)
it helps us to heat our body. Fourthly,
according to the medical science, a diet constituting of sea food like fish and
eggs enhance our intellect and help our brain to function smoothly. This
ultimately sharpen our wisdom. Moreover, healing power in our body and hair
growth accelerated while we eat non-veg like eggs.
Demerits of non-veg diet:
Harmfulness of red meat consumption are always warned by doctors
such as obesity problem, heart diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetics and so on.
Unnecessary, unwanted fat enters to our body while eating more non-veg which
need to burn by workout. In an investigation, researchers have discovered that
vegans will in general carry on with a more extended life than the non-veggie
lovers.
In summary, a purely vegetarian diet which is not planned
well, may prove very bad for health. People, who are non-vegetarian, can easily
have a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet to remain healthy. They can
cut down their meat intake to avoid the detrimental effects of a non-veg diet.
I reiterate that although a vegetarian diet has
several benefits, I differ with those who say that everyone should turn pure vegetarian
to be healthy.
Tips on how to balance both veg and non-veg food items in our diet routine:
Try to eat to live not live to eat imbalance! People who are
non-vegetarian, can easily have a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet to
remain healthy. They can cut down their meat intake to avoid the detrimental
effects of a non-veg diet. Pure vegetarian can turn to flexitarian diet that
incorporates occasional meat, fish or poultry as per as your body required or
lack in nutrients.
