Advantages of being a vegetarian

Definition

Vegetarianism is the practice of not eating meat or fish, especially for moral, religious, or health reasons.

There is a vast history behind the conversion of non-vegetarians into vegetarians for various reasons. Now a days, becoming a vegetarian is more appealing and accessible. Plant-based eating is recognized as not only nutritionally sufficient but also as a way to reduce the risk for many chronic illnesses. A well planned vegetarian diet, consisting of various nutrition is the most healthiest diet for one self.

Types of diets

Sattvic

“The mode of Goodness”, is the neutral force, it means balance and is the calm anchor to the energy currents.

Traits

• Promotes clear mind
• Do not bring dullness or heaviness to the mind
• Mind is at peace and happy, effectively dealing with outside world

Food

• Mainly fresh, juicy and nourishing vegetarian fare, either cooked or raw but always easy to digest, free of additives and preservatives. This can include legumes, fresh vegetables and fruits, less spicy food, ghee and fresh milk.

Rajas

"The mode of Passion”, means motion and is seen as the positive, fiery, outgoing principle.

Traits

• Support physical endurance and a resolute mind
• Mind is fierce and passionate
• Putting all its force into something but can easily be frustrated if the goal isn’t accomplished

Food

Foods that contain garlic, chile, excess of sugar, oil, spices, caffeine (from coffee, black tea and chocolate), eggs, high quality meat, alcohol and fermented or freshly canned foods. Fried foods or over-cooked Sattvic foods also get Rajastic qualities.

Tamas

"The mode of Ignorance”, means resistance and describes the idea of negative and inward principle.

Traits

• Dulls the mind
• Lethargic
• Depressed

Food

Onions, mushrooms and meats, non-vegetarian food, food that contain too much of onion and garlic, leftovers, alcohol, microwaved and frozen foods.

Types of vegetarians

1. Fruitarian (1893) - a person who lives on fruits.
2. Vegans (total vegetarians) (1944): Do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or any products derived from animals, including eggs, dairy products, and gelatin.
3. Pescatarian (1993) - People who eat fish but no other meat.
4. Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Do not eat meat, poultry, or fish, but do eat eggs and dairy products.
5. Lacto vegetarians: Eat no meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but do consume dairy products.
6. Ovo-vegetarians: Eat no meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but do eat eggs.
7. Flexitarian - a person who follows a mostly vegetarian diet but occasionally eats meat or fish.

Health benefits

A vegetarian diet contributes so much to one's body as well as to the surroundings. It is economical, helps in the conservation of soil, water and forests. Requirements of soil and water to cater the needs for the cultivation of animal protein is much higher compared to that of plant protein. A vegetarian diet has it's own positive factors, in concern with health as well as mental peace. Diseases which are less susceptible for a vegetarian:

1. Heart disease: Vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac attacks. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an evidence-based review showed that a vegetarian diet is associated with a lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Vegetarians appear to have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and lower rates of hypertension.
2. Cancer: Consumption of plenty of fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of development of certain carcinogenic cells in one's body.
3. Type 2 diabetes: Research suggests that a predominantly plant-based diet can reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. In studies of Seventh-day Adventists, vegetarians' risk of developing diabetes was half that of non-vegetarians, even after taking BMI into account.

Vegetarians also tend to have a lower body mass index and lower risk of chronic disease.

Sources

• www.webmd.com/diet/features/is-it-better-to-be-a-vegetarian#1
• www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian
• ayurvedadosha.org/ayurveda-diet/three-gunas#axzz4vYUOE6N8
• www.artofliving.org/yoga-and-three-gunas