5 Reasons To Try Going Vegetarian

1
​Lower Cholesterol

Cholesterol is found in animal products in varying amounts, and consuming too much cholesterol is not good for our health. High cholesterol leads to heart problems as the arteries fill with plaque, narrowing the passage way to the heart. Left untreated, this can lead to heart attacks and strokes, both of which are dangerous and life-threatening.

A vegetarian diet includes more vegetables and no meat / fish, lowering our cholesterol intake exponentially. When you consider the meals you have in a day and how many of them might include meat, you can see how going vegetarian would eliminate a lot of the cholesterol we consume on a daily basis. This is a win for our heart!

2
​Reduced Fat

Look, there's no denying that meat is fatty and a diet that is high in fat can lead to a variety of life-threatening conditions including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Also, a diet high in fat is linked to an increased chance of getting cancer. It's very easy to over consume fat when eating meat because it contributes heavily to the overall fat intake of your plate. With no meat on that plate, you're naturally going to consume more foods that are lower in fat.

Grains, vegetables, and legumes take the place of meat and provide additional nutrients & vitamins with a reduced fat intake. More fiber, less fat. That's better for us in the long run!

3
More Vitamins / Nutrients

While meat does provide essential nutrients, we can also get these from vegetables and supplements if we take our nutrition seriously. Secondly, when we consume more vegetables, we're naturally consuming more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A diet high in fresh produce is a diet that is high in immunity strengthening nutrients & antioxidants while being lower in cholesterol, fat, and sodium. 

Antioxidants specifically, are crucial for helping our bodies fight off free-radicals that can lead to health problems if left unchecked. More vegetables and fruit means more antioxidants and this ultimately means a stronger immune system.

4
Lower Risk Of Serious Health
​Complications

A diet rich in vitamins & antioxidants naturally lowers our risk for a slew of health problems. It reduces our cholesterol and fat, significantly reducing our risk for heat problems and obesity. It increases our vitamin intake, combating free-radicals that lead to heart disease, brain disease, and cancer. Essentially, we are actively working against disease when we consume a diet rich in fresh produce. This is not to say that eating more vegetables cures disease, but rather helps to stave it off and minimize our risks.

5
​You'll Become A Better Cook

No one thinks about this but it's 100% true! When you're eating meat, the sides are usually uninspired and simply there to accommodate a beautifully cooked piece of meat. All you need to do is cook meat properly and everyone at the table is gung ho for dinner but when you go vegetarian, you really have to get creative to keep things interesting and delicious.

When I first went vegetarian, I couldn't even boil water. It took some time, but I invested in learning about food and how to cook it properly. I learned about spices and how they can create an experience through food. Honestly, this blog was created as a result of a yearning to learn how to make vegetables the star. If I hadn't gone vegetarian, this blog wouldn't exist and I wouldn't have the knowledge I have now. I've opened up my eyes to so many different flavours, cuisines, and dishes I had never heard of. 

Going vegetarian is inspiring. It allows us the opportunity to explore, create, and try things that are outside of what we're used to. There's nothing more rewarding than creating a dish that's not only delicious, but inspired by this journey of vegetarianism.

There are so many more reasons why I think ditching meat and reducing our dairy intake is so beneficial. Our health, our planet, and everything in between hinges on our choices and a reduced carbon footprint through our food choices is a win-win.

HAPPY VEG