Healthy Food vs Junk Food

What Is a Vegetarian Diet? Vegetarian diets are commonly defined by what they exclude rather than what they include. All vegetarians exclude meat products, including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. Beyond that, further food restrictions are up to the eater. For example, many people do not allow eggs on a vegetarian diet, whereas others prohibit certain types of cheese in a vegetarian diet due to the use of rennet, which can be animal-based. 

There are a number of reasons for adopting a vegetarian diet. Some eat vegetarian for religious reasons, while others adopt the way of eating out of environmental and/or animal rights concerns. A vegetarian diet is also linked to several health benefits, such as a lower BMI (body mass index) rating, lower cholesterol, and lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes¹ .

A vegetarian diet may also make it easier to address other dietary concerns, such as lactose intolerance and some food allergies.

Additionally, plant-based diets can result in a lower grocery bill. Meat, poultry, and seafood are not typically cheap, while many vegetarian options like beans, grains, and veggies, are budget-friendly. Some shoppers find that by reducing their meat consumption they are able to save money at the store, too.