Health Fitness

Vegetarianism: is it really a big deal?

I have been a vegetarian since I was born, if I may say so, and so are thousands of people who were born into the Brahmin community like me. In Hinduism, we divide ourselves into different groups originally based on profession. Brahmins were typically the educated and expected to teach others and were also priests. As society evolved, Brahmins took on broader professions such as minister, banker, business, etc. Some say that in the Vedic period the Brahmins were allowed to eat the meat of sacrificed animals. Then, with the spread of Buddhism and Jainism, to stop conversions to these religions, ahimsa or non-violence was also spread as the key message of Hinduism. After this several Hindus, especially Brahmins, became vegetarians and this was not a particularly difficult change because they were only allowed to eat sacrificial meat and not other meat anyway, so it was not a big part of their life. . This also does not mean that all Brahmins are vegetarians, as some continued to eat meat / fish. As for me, I don’t want to hurt animals and I am a vegetarian. Now why do I speak of Hinduism, Brahmins and vegetarians? The reason is that for me it is a bit surprising to see people being warned about the ‘pitfalls’ of going vegetarian, whereas that has been the way of life for me and my ancestors without a second thought. Also a quick look at my place of origin can help you understand why I am surprised. If you have ever been to India, especially South India, you will find more vegetarian restaurants than non-vegetarians and usually non-vegetarians will explicitly say so on their name board. On the contrary, I have not yet found a vegetarian restaurant in the western world where I live.

Having spent some time in a western country, I understand that meat is an important part of the diet and it is difficult to let go. So for some, it’s probably a big problem. People are often warned against a vegetarian diet primarily because it is said to be lacking in protein. Proteins contain chains of amino acids that are converted into different types of amino acids during digestion and absorption. The body can secrete some amino acids, but some are required from food. Plant foods are said to lack at least one of these essential amino acids. However, it does not mean that one cannot get enough protein by being a vegetarian. It is simply a matter of combining foods, such as combining cereals with lentils and vegetables. It was interesting to read that some findings show that excessive protein intake can potentially lead to osteoporosis and kidney problems (remember that your kidney has to work harder to absorb amino acids). A well-balanced vegetarian diet, in that way, is said to provide enough protein. Even if you can’t balance in just one meal, you can always get your balance in one day. For example, let’s say you couldn’t get enough protein in your lunch, you can always snack on some lentils and strike a balance. On a vegetarian diet you obviously don’t get fat from meat and also because most plants are fibrous, vegetarian diets are said to be more helpful in maintaining a healthy weight.

Now if the problem of not getting enough protein is out of your way, what else could prevent one from being a vegetarian? Could it be a “limited” option because most restaurants offer mac n cheese and salad as vegetarians on their menu, or could it be the fear of not treating the palate because it is vegetarian in something bland? If it is one or both, I can assure you, it is a myth. While I can’t put more items on restaurant menus because I have no control over them, I can certainly assure you that your menu list at home can be very long. When it comes to taste and flavor, who said spices don’t work on vegetables, grains, and fruits? There is no limit to the type of dishes you can prepare with even a few ingredients.

By making healthy choices, you can be a vegetarian and enjoy eating. If you need help or inspiration to create good vegetarian dishes, visit my blog http://www.tastefullyveggie.blogspot.com/

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