Being a vegetarian is hard work. It requires a lot of thoughtful planning and discipline. Is it worth it? I think so. Keep your heads up and stick with it! Here are some of the benefits that you get from being a VegHead:
Breakfast
cereal and milk or soy milk, omelet, grits, oatmeal, bran muffin
Lunch
spinach salad with whole grain crackers, peanut butter and banana on whole-wheat bread, meatless chili and cornbread, split pea or lentil soup, bean burritos or tacos
Snacks
trail mix, cheese (soy option) and crackers, fruit, frozen yogurt, sunflower seeds, veggies and dip, pudding, vegetable juice, peanuts, granola bar
The most common benefits I hear about are a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood lipid (fat) levels, meaning a lower risk of heart disease.
Marie-Louise Meilleur, who lived to be the world's oldest person at age 122, was a vegetarian. She lived a vegetarian diet with small amounts of wine, chocolate, and olive oil.
(theage.com)
Johanna Dwyer (registered dietition) has shown that vegetarians are at less risk for:
Obesity
Type II diabetes
Hypertension
Coronary artery disease
and gall stones among other health problems.
(cnn.com)
Here are some healthy meal ideas I found on NCSU.edu's health website.
They're all things I like to eat regularly so I thought I'd pass the suggesions on.
(well, except for grits :) )
Breakfast
cereal and milk or soy milk, omelet, grits, oatmeal, bran muffin
Lunch
spinach salad with whole grain crackers, peanut butter and banana on whole-wheat bread, meatless chili and cornbread, split pea or lentil soup, bean burritos or tacos
Dinner
vegetable stir-fry with rice, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with sauce, pasta and vegetables, caesar salad, meatless enchiladas
vegetable stir-fry with rice, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with sauce, pasta and vegetables, caesar salad, meatless enchiladas
Snacks
trail mix, cheese (soy option) and crackers, fruit, frozen yogurt, sunflower seeds, veggies and dip, pudding, vegetable juice, peanuts, granola bar
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