Vegetarian Diets Essay examples -- Healthy Lifestyle Essay

Growing up in India, I have heard much about vegan diets. Many people take on vegetarian diets due to religious beliefs, personal interest, ethical issues, and many other reasons. So what exactly is a vegetarian diet? Is it better for the body? Vegetarian diets can provide the necessary nutrients; as well, as reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases caused by unhealthful diet; however, if the food intake is not closely monitored it can lead to deficiencies. Then the question becomes, if vegetarian diets are better, then why exactly do we need meat products in our diet? In this research paper, I want explore the pro and cons of vegetarian diet and its implications. The vegetarian society defines a vegetarian as one who consumes predominantly fruits, vegetables, grains and plant products without eating animal products such as meat, fish, poultry (â€Å"Vegetarian society†). Although vegetarians are defined as those who do not consume animal products, there are different levels of vegetarianism: semi-vegetarian, pescovegetarian, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lacto vegetarian, ovovegetarian, strict vegetarian, macrobiotic diet, and fruitarian. The level of strictness in food intake varies with each type of diet that it becomes harder for the person to acquire the daily requirements of nutrients. Semi-vegetarian is also known as Flexitarian. This type of vegetarian consumes a large amount of plant products, eggs, dairy items and from time to time eat red meat, poultry, at times even fish (Thompson, Manore, Vaughan, 2011 pg. 223). A flexitarian as the name sounds does not give up meat completely but they take on this diet because they have become more conscientious of their health and the ecology. Since they are not completely limiting an... ...Based on research, it seems that all vegetarian diets other than strict vegetarian, macrobiotic diets and fruitarian diet provide the body with essential proteins derived from animal products. In any type of diet, the individual must follow the requirements in order for it to have good benefits to health. References Becoming a vegetarian. (2009). Harvard Women's Health Watch, 17(2), 4-6. "Lacto Ovo Vegetarian Diets." Lacto Diets, Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Diet. Retrieved on March 25, 2012. http://www.dentedafrique.org/diets_lacto.html. MacMunn, A., & O'Malley, R. (2009). Eat right. Retrieved March 25, 2012 from http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=1233 Thompson, Manore, Vaughan, 2011. The Science of Nutrition. Benjamin Cumming, San Francisco. Vegetarian society. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2012 from http://www.vegsoc.org/page.aspx?pid=508