Go veg for your health ... and win!
Home » Blog » Sarah Heeringa » Go veg for your health ... and win!A commited vegetarian ... a flexitarian, or just trying to eat less meat?
Read on for more ideas and inspiration
Celebrate World Vegetarian Day this Thursday 1 October with a meat-free meal. Even better, leave a comment with your best vegetarian tip or recipe to be in to win a fabulous hamper worth more than $250.
Going veg for your health
There are lots of great reasons to eat less meat and more plants. A plant-based diet offers a range of health benefits from reducing our likelihood of developing heart disease and high blood pressure, to providing protective benefits against cancer and other illnesses.
Here's what Sanitarium says;
Heath benefits of increased plant-based eating include:
1. Protection from heart disease
Vegetarian’s have a lower risk of developing heart disease and are 24 percent less likely to die from heart disease compared with non-vegetarians. Vegetarian food choices are generally lower in ‘bad’ cholesterol and saturated fat, which are linked to heart disease.1
2. Lower blood pressure
Studies indicate that vegetarians are twice as likely to have lower blood pressure compared to non-vegetarians, reducing the risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease.2 A diet rich in plant-based foods is linked to reduced blood pressure, possibly due to its higher level of nutrients such as potassium and magnesium.
3. Cancer fighting properties
A vegetarian diet rich in wholegrains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables has been shown to help combat the incidence of various types of cancer. A high intake of red and processed meats is linked to increased rates of colon cancer. Non-vegetarians have an 88 percent increased risk of developing bowel cancer and a 54 percent increased risk of developing prostate cancer.3
4. Lower risk of developing diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity. Vegetarians on average have a lower body mass index (BMI) than meat-eaters reducing their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Vegetarian diets which incorporate wholegrains and legumes promote a slow rise in glucose levels which can stabilise blood sugars and reduce high peaks in insulin production, which is essential in maintain healthy blood sugar levels in existing diabetics.
5. Protection from other illnesses
Vegetarian diets are high in fibre and don’t contain excessive amounts of animal protein. This can be helpful in preventing illnesses such as gall stones,4,5 kidney stones and bowel disorders such as constipation and diverticular disease by keeping you regular.
6. Maintaining a healthy weight
The high fibre and low fat properties of a vegetarian diet mean on average vegetarians are slimmer than non-vegetarians. Combined with regular exercise, a balanced vegetarian diet is a great way to maintain a healthy body weight. 6,7
To find out more about the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle, the Sanitarium Nutrition Service offers free nutritional information and handy hints for vegetarian eating. A wide range of information on health and wellbeing as well as a selection of great vegetarian recipes are also available online
Sanitarium has launched a new vegetarian recipe book. You can download the book – Food for Health and Happiness. Alternatively browse the great range of vegetarian recipes and read a wide range of articles and information.
Write in to win!
To celebrate World Vegetarian Day this Thursday, 1st October, Good and Sanitarium are giving away a hamper (worth more than $250) loaded with a mix of great Sanitarium products. Leave a comment with your best vegetarian tip or recipes to be in to win.
Mon September 28, 2009 @ 12:23 PM
Congratulations to Lhizz Browne
