Most Popular Types of Vegetarian Diet and Their Benefits

Over recent years, people are getting more aware of vegetarian foods. Reasons behind it are varied, including health benefits, environmental benefits, and ethical issues. Though being vegetarian is more beneficial, but skipping meat is challenging for many.

There are over 50 shades of vegetarianism that are abundant in various nutrients. Apart from the ethical and environmental benefits of cutting meat from your diet, a well-planned vegetarian diet may also reduce your risk of chronic disease.

Plant-based eating habits are practice globally; a lot of people want to explore different varieties of this. Choosing a plant-based diet over what we are eating is such a difficult task. Preparing your vegetarian meal can make you satisfy and balance your health.

Here’s what you need to know about the most popular types of vegetarianism, so you will not leave in confusion. –

# Vegan

A vegan diet is popular now among health-conscious people. Vegans do not consume animal products or by-products. So in this course, red and white meat, fish, or fowl are not allowed. They also do not consume eggs and dairy. Vegans will also abstain from eating things like honey, gelatin, collagen, and even white sugar. Vegan diets are pretty restrictive and require more planning than other forms of vegetarianism. This diet can provide you enough protein, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D.

# Raw vegan

Raw vegans do not eat cooked foods. These types will only consume unprocessed plant foods that should not be heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

# Flexitarian

As the name suggests, flexitarians are flexible with their diet. They often eat plant-based foods, but they may consume meat occasionally. It emphasizes the benefits of plant-based food while allowing small amounts of animal products.

- Pescatarian

- Pescatarian is the people who eat a lot of plant-based food with fish and seafood, and who may or may not also eat dairy or eggs. They do not consume red meat, white meat, or fowl. It is considered a “semi-vegetarian” or “flexitarian” diet.

- Lacto-vegetarians

Lacto-vegetarians can consume meat, fish, eggs, and fowl, but they don’t eat dairy products such as milk and yogurt.

# Lacto-Ovo vegetarians

It is one of the traditional forms of vegetarianism. They don’t consume meat, fish, and poultry food. But, still eat animal products like dairy and eggs.

# Ovo-vegetarians

Ovo-vegetarians do not eat red or white meat, fish, fowl, or dairy products. However, ovo-vegetarians do consume egg products. This not so popular type.

Health benefits of a vegetarian diet

Vegetarian diets have lots of health benefits because they are full of various nutrients. Here are some best health benefits of being vegetarian.

# Lower cholesterol levels

Plant-based foods are cholesterol-free naturally. Although cholesterol is an essential component of each human cell, vegetarians do not need to worry about not getting enough cholesterol. As the body can make all the cholesterol it needs from vegan foods. Research suggests that vegetarian people have low-bad cholesterol levels.

# Control weight

Many people have become vegetarian to shed extra pounds. Following a plant-based diet usually means you’ll take in fewer calories overall that helps you to lose weight. A research study concluded that vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) on average compared with non-vegetarians.

# Reduce the risk of diabetes

Vegetarian people have less risk of getting type 2 diabetes. It helps stabilize your blood sugar and make your body more responsive to insulin. A healthy vegetarian diet is also easy to absorb, is nutritious, and contains fewer fatty acids.

# Promote heart health

Vegetarian diets are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol that ends up reducing your risk of heart disease. Adopting a vegan diet is the best way to minimize your chances of having a stroke. Research studies indicate that vegetarianism may be associated with lower blood pressure levels.

# Improve metabolism

Vegetarian foods are easy to digest, which keeps your metabolism regular. The resting metabolic rate is higher in vegetarians that speed up to burn fats.

# Cancer protection

Vegetarians have lower cancer rates than non-vegetarians. It suggests an association between following a plant-based diet and a lower risk of certain cancers.

# High in dietary fibers

Vegetables and fruits are rich in dietary fibers that are good for the digestive tract. It helps improve body metabolism and helps in the fast elimination of toxins and other chemicals from the body.

# Promote healthy skin

Green vegetables are full of minerals and vitamins that help to keep your skin radiant and healthy. Many vegetarian foods also are rich sources of antioxidants that help you stay disease-free, with healthier skin.