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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Vegetarian Diets


Vegetarianism can be a healthy alternative when you know what to eat and how to combine foods to make a complete protein. There are various degrees to vegetarianism, for example, ovolatovegetarian. Ovolatoegetarians include eggs and dairy in their diet but not meat. Lacotevgetarians include dairy products in their diet with exception to eggs and meat. Vegans have a diet that excludes all meat, dairy and eggs.

Most vegetarians can have diets that are complete in all essential amino acids (for maintenance of body tissue & growth). Incomplete proteins lack one or more essential amino acids. This can be resolved by combining the right plant sources of protein. For example a vegan can get complete protein by eating a peanut butter and preserves sandwich on whole grain bread, beans and brown rice, textured vegetable protein and tofu are complete protein sources. For those who are vegetarians and eat eggs and dairy, those are considered complete proteins as well as any source of meat is a complete protein. As a vegetarian it is important to make sure you get sufficient amounts of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium (especially vegetarians who exclude dairy) and omega-3 fatty acids. If you’re not sure your getting enough of those vitamins and mineral in your diet, it might be a good idea to supplement.

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