You maybe interested to find out that
there are several types of vegetarians, and each type
of vegetarian diet differ slightly. Which type of
vegetarian are you? And what do you include in your
vegetarian diet?
Vegetarians can be separated in to mainly
four types:
Type 1) Semi vegetarians - These
'vegetarians' eat all types of foods in their diet
- including meat. However these individuals limit
the amount of animal products they consume. I would
be considered a semi vegetarian.
Type 2) Lacto vegetarian - Individuals
in this group are a step up from the semi vegetarians.
They avoid all animal products except for dairy products
in their diet.
Type 3) Lacto-ovo vegetarians - This type of vegetarian diet excludes all meat except
for dairy and eggs. Not too different from the previous
type.
Type 4) Vegans - These are the
'hard-core" vegetarians who avoid all animal
products in their diet, such as meats, dairy products,
and eggs. The vegan diet rely on lentils, beans, soy
products etc..
Now that you know the four types of
vegetarian diets, which do you belong to?
How Do Vegans Get Enough Protein and Calcium?
You think that pure vegans can't achieve
a well-rounded diet without any animal products? Think
again. All the stuff you hear about vegetarians not
getting enough protein in their diet is mostly propaganda
from the meat factories. ^__^ No kidding. Obviously
they want you to eat more meat, so they make more
money.
In fact, vegans and vegetarians can,
and do get enough protein and other essential nutrients
in their diet. Here's
a complete guide for vegetarians. Vegetables,
beans, nuts, and soy products provide abundant amount
of essential nutrients. Aim for very colorful vegetables
such as broccoli, cucumbers, carrots etc. These types
of veggies are especially high in vitamins, calcium,
beta-carotene, zinc, and a lot more. They also provide
a good source of proteins. Beans and soy products (tofu, soy milk)
are excellent sources of protein. And don't think
that these types of protein are inferior to animal
protein - they're not. Makes good sense to lower meat
intake doesn't it? Especially when meats are high
on saturated fats - the type that's bad for you. You
can reduce, eliminate your meat intake, or spice up
your lagging vegetarian diet here. |
