Vegetarian CookingEating For Good HealthMeals made through vegetarian cooking are usually comprised of food densely packed with many vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients. These healthy eating menus are typically also high in fiber and low in fat. Combined, all of these healthy properties help keep you from getting heart disease, the number one killer in America, and cancer.
Vegetarianism and Dairy FoodsVegetarian cooking does not guarantee that you will always be eating healthy. Meat may not be involved, but other dairy products are usually eaten. Some of these products can have a very high amount of fat content in them.For example, cheese has a lot of fat in it. Some of these dairy products should be eaten sparingly. So you should watch your consumption of fat from non-meat sources as well. There are many vegetarian low-fat recipes to choose from.
Protein’s Ongoing DebateProtein is a long standing issue whenever vegetarianism is considered. Most people believe a vegetarian can’t get enough protein since they don’t eat meat. Unfortunately, this misconception has been supported and successfully marketed by the meat industry.There is actually quite a bit of protein found in non-meat items. For example, broccoli has up to forty percent of protein in terms of calories. Please take a look at another article I wrote discussing protein foods located under the healthy foods tab. In reality, Americans eat too much protein. There have been some studies done that show this. Eating too much protein has been linked to certain kinds of diseases. Namely, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
The Case Of OsteoporosisThere has also been a link to calcium loss from the bones in order to offset the protein in the body. This takes place due to homeostasis, which is the body trying to reach or maintain a constant equilibrium. Protein creates a very acid type environment. Being a base material, calcium neutralizes this.
The largest supply of calcium is in the bones. So the body naturally first takes it from there. This can result in the development of a condition called osteoporosis. It is interesting to note that in Africa and some Asian populations many of the citizens are lactose intolerant. Meat and dairy products are not frequently eaten in these populations. However, the incidence of osteoporosis is very low. In America where meat and dairy foods are regularly eaten, a much higher occurrence of osteoporosis is found. Therefore, osteoporosis appears to be a disease of excess not deficiency. An excess of too much protein that we have been encouraged to get by eating meat.
Explore Cooking The Vegetarian WayVegetarian cooking allows for ample ways of getting enough protein as well as all the other properties that account for good health. Many vegetarian cookbooks have been written and are available for you to pick and choose your favorite recipes. Examples of other vegetarian recipes than those mentioned above are easy indian recipes, easy snack recipes, and tempeh recipes. Organic ingredients taste best.If you haven’t already, give this style of cooking a try. You may find it to be very interesting and fun. This way of cooking will ensure your family eats enough vegetables, beans, and whole grains as you venture into this manner of creating meals.
Atlas, Nava. The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. New York: Broadway Books, 2004. 163
Fredrickson, Terri. Best Homes and Gardens. Vegetarian Cooking. Iowa: Meredith Publishing Group, 2002. 4-6
Lemlin, Jeanne. Simple Vegetarian Pleasures. New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1998. 6,7
Top of Vegetarian Cooking Return to Healthy Foods Home to Healthy Eating
|
