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Going vego?

by Jo-Anne Hui | 20 Jan 2014

Considering taking the leap from carnivore to vegetarian? We’ve put together a list of the pros and cons of going veggie, with the help of Belinda Reynolds, nutritionist and education manager at Bioceuticals.

“Overall, when I’m looking at any diet, whether it’s vegetarianism or a diet that includes meat or any other kind of diet, there can be both healthy and unhealthy variations of it,” says Reynolds. “So if you are thinking of going vegetarian and looking to get health benefits, it’s important you still focus on having a healthy, well-balanced diet.” 

Pros

Avoid obesity, stroke and heart problems

By cutting out processed meats like sausages from your diet, you’re also decreasing the likelihood of dealing with health issues such as obesity and heart problems, says Reynolds.

Avoid high blood pressure

According to Reynolds, a lot of meat products can be processed, full of preservatives and salt. Also, many animals have been exposed to a lot of antibiotics or been fed the wrong thing. So there can be an imbalance of the good and bad fats in your body, as well as issues with blood pressure due to salt consumption.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Going vegetarian means being kinder to the environment. In 2006, a United Nations report revealed cattle rearing is one of the most significant contributors to today's environmental issues. It also found that cattle rearing is a major source of land and water degradation. 

Be kinder to animals

Many animals suffer on crowded factory farms and are fed drugs to fatten the up and force them to produce more milk or eggs than they normally would.

Cons

Loss of protein

Older individuals have a greater risk of muscle mass loss as they age, and meat can be an important source of protein to help maintain muscle mass, prevent people from suffering dangerous falls and ensure they’re strong and healthy.

Removing meat from your diet is not the only solution

While many people want to go vegetarian or look at other options for a healthier lifestyle, simply removing meat from their diet isn’t the answer to all health problems.

“Meat is by no means the only thing that contributes to heart disease or obesity, so you need to make sure you’re not consuming high amounts of sugar or processed foods and lots of high-glycemic carbs,” warns Reynolds.

Potential iron deficiency

“You can get iron from sources outside of meat - dark green leafy vegetables are a good source of iron. But it’s important to make sure you’re consuming a nice, good blend of nutrient-dense food, fruits and vegetables and that will ensure you’re getting a nice range of essential nutrients,” suggests Reynolds.

As iron is absorbed more efficiently through meat than it is through vegetables, vegetarians need to make sure you eat foods that contain vitamin C. This will help ensure optimal absorption of iron in your meals.