Be Both: Strong and Kind, Be a Vegetarian!
After looking at the environmental benefits of vegetarianism, one may wonder what’s in store for oneself when it comes to overall health and development.
Not to worry… vegetarianism is great even when it comes to making sure that you are fit and fine; strong and healthy enough to ward off all illnesses!
First of all, if maintaining a good body shape is your goal, a vegetarian diet can help you a lot in the long run. If you are following a vegetarian diet, then you are basically lowering your intake of calories and saturated fats which leads to a desirable and maintained BMI. Studies have demonstrated that vegetarians have very low risks of becoming obese as compared to non-vegetarians. Even Miss New Jersey 2017 Chhavi Verg attributes her title to being a vegetarian!
Now, let me bust 2 big myths associated with vegetarianism:
MYTH 1: A vegetarian diet can’t provide you with enough amount of proteins.
MYTH DEBUNKED: And with this people shun away from trying the veg way out. In actuality however, vegetarian food contains the required amounts of proteins in various foods such as lentils, beans, nuts, seeds and so on and so forth. This has been supported by various health organisations all over the globe. In fact, with this protein craze that has continued and is continuing now as well, people are being swayed away from the reality: a non-veg diet actually contains twice as many proteins as are required in a balanced diet by an individual!
Moreover, as per the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington DC, high protein intake over a prolonged period of time (as is likely to result from the continued practice of following non-vegetarianism) has been scientifically proven to be linked with osteoporosis, kidney disease, calcium stones in the urinary tract and some cancers as well!
MYTH 2: Your workouts will suffer if you follow vegetarianism
MYTH DEBUNKED: If famous sports players like Virat Kohli, Venus Williams, Mike Tyson and Hannah Teter can rise to the level of becoming World Cup and Olympic winners, people like us don’t need to worry at all. No workouts suffer because of vegetarianism. If you follow a balanced veg diet, then you are taking a diet that’s low in fat, high in fiber, low in cholesterol levels and rich in vitamins and minerals it will do you far more good than you can ever imagine! The American Heart Association has found out that veg diets actually lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases because of these aforementioned properties.
A 2011 review in Cancer Management and Research has also reported that vegetarianism helps lower cancer risks due to the presence of fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals (cancer fighting substances found in plants) in fruits and veggies. Moreover, there is another bonus for vegetarians: low risk of diabetes. By improving insulin sensitivity and reducing high blood sugar levels to an optimum level, a vegetarian diet not only prevents but also controls diabetes if already present.
Vegetarianism and longevity are linked. Studies have shown that an average vegetarian lives 7-9 years longer than an average non-vegetarian. This was found to be multifactorial as being vegetarian has such a salutary effect that vegetarians are more likely to exercise, drink less alcohol and also smoke less! Can’t get better!
With all these and more health benefits of vegetarianism, I think that now even you would agree that vegetarianism has the power to ignite that passion, that spark in each one of us to do everything we enjoy with full zeal and enthusiasm and to be the best at everything we do! If Shahid Kapoor and John Abraham have successfully sculpted their eight pack bodies, what more proof can one ask for?! The proof is in front of us, it is our duty to accept it and adopt it respectfully!
