Veggie!!!!!

A growing number of Americans choose a vegetarian or vegan diet for a number of reasons – whether they are due to environmental issues, ethics, health considerations or religious beliefs. The American Dietetic Association recently published a position paper endorsing vegetarian diets. The ADA contends that with a carefully planned diet, vegetarians and vegans alike can benefit from a fully healthy and nutritionally sufficient diet without meat.

Numerous health benefits include the possible prevention of several diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, cancer and diabetes. Vegetarian diets typically include reduced consumption of saturated fat and greater intake of fruits and vegetables that include nutrients that can often prevent the onset of disease.

However, keeping a vegetarian or vegan kitchen properly stocked can be difficult –the onslaught of products cropping up all over the market claiming to be healthy can be deceiving. These products may also contain the same amount of sodium and fat as non-vegetarian versions. Often, products claiming to be vegetarian overlook the plight of vegans and may contain lactose, meaning eggs, milk or dairy.