Are you a Vegetarian? Are there benefits?

I've been a vegetarian for about 8-9 years now. I do, however, include seafood in my diet. I try my best to only buy eco-friendly seafood.

Thank you for posting quotes from the Qu'ran as well - very interesting

Here's a great article that expands on the health benefits:

Health Benefits of Vegetarian Diets

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in vegetarian diets. Today there are countless books, cookbooks, and magazine articles promoting vegetarian diets and providing guidance for those who wish to follow a meatless diet.
A Short Historical Perspective on Vegetarian Diets

In the past, many viewed vegetarianism as strange and faddish but appropriately planned vegetarian diets are now recognized by many, including the American Dietetic Association, as being nutritionally adequate, and providing healthful benefits in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (1).

Choosing a nonvegetarian lifestyle has a significant health and medical cost. The total direct medical costs in the United States attributable to meat consumption were estimated to be $30-60 billion a year, based upon the higher prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, gallstones, obesity and food-borne illness among omnivores compared with vegetarians (2).

A large body of scientific literature suggests that the consumption of a diet of whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, with the avoidance of meat and high-fat animal products, along with a regular exercise program is consistently associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity and consequently less heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and mortality (1,3, 4). In African-Americans, the frequent consumption of nuts, fruits and green salads was associated with 35-44 percent lower risk of overall mortality (5).

Distinguishing Feature

A vegetarian diet is distinguished from an omnivorous diet by its content of dry beans and lentils. These take the place of meat and fish as the major source of protein. And there are so many different kinds of beans you can choose from - kidney, lima, pinto, cranberry, navy, Great Northern, garbanzo, soy beans, and black-eyed peas. These can be served with rice, added to soups, stews, and salads or a variety of casseroles, and made into different ethnic dishes.

Tofu, or soy bean curd, can be used in dips and spreads, or served with pasta or stir-fried vegetables. Soy protein contains isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, that act as phytoestrogens and inhibit tumor growth, lower blood cholesterol levels, decrease the risk of blood clots, and diminish bone loss. These benefits clearly translate into a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis (6).

Cancer Protection

A major report published by the World Cancer Research Fund in 1997 recommended we lower our risk of cancer by choosing predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, legumes and minimally processed starchy staple foods, and to limit the intake of grilled, cured and smoked meats and fish. These methods of preparing meat produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines which are carcinogenic (11).

Over 200 studies have revealed that a regular consumption of fruits and vegetables provides significant protection against cancer at many sites. People who consume higher amounts of fruits and vegetables have about one-half the risk of cancer, especially the epithelial cancers (7). The risk of most cancers was 20-50% lower in those with a high versus a low consumption of whole grains (8).

About three dozen plant foods have been identified as possessing cancer-protective properties. These include cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), umbelliferous vegetables and herbs (carrots, celery, cilantro, caraway, dill, parsley), other fruits and vegetables (citrus, tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, cantaloupe, berries), beans (soybeans), whole grains (brown rice, oats, whole wheat), flaxseed, many nuts, and various seasoning herbs (garlic, scallions, onions, chives, ginger, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, and basil)(9).

These foods and herbs contain of host of cancer-protective phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, isoflavones, ellagic acid, glucarates, curcurmins, liminoids, lignans, phenolic acids, phthalides, saponins, phytosterols, sulfide compounds, terpenoids, and tocotrienols. These beneficial compounds alter metabolic pathways and hormonal actions that are associated with the development of cancer, stimulate the immune system, and have antioxidant activity (10).

Heart Disease

Regular fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk of ischemic heart disease. A recent survey of 47,000 Italians found that persons in the highest tertile of vegetable consumption had a 21and 11% reduced risk of myocardial infarction and angina, respectively, compared with those in the lowest tertile of vegetable consumption (12).

A British study found that daily consumption of fresh fruit was associated with a 24 percent reduction in mortality from heart disease and a 32 percent reduction in death from cerebrovascular disease, compared with less frequent fruit consumption. Daily consumption of raw salad was associated with a 26 percent reduction in mortality from heart disease (13).

In another study, lifelong vegetarians had a 24 percent lower incidence and lifelong vegans (those who eat no eggs or dairy products) had a 57 percent lower incidence of coronary heart disease compared to meat eaters (14). Healthy volunteers who consumed a vegetarian diet (25% of calories as fat) that was rich in green, leafy vegetables and other low-calorie vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, celery, green beans, etc.), fruits, nuts, sweet corn and peas experienced after two weeks decreases of 25, 33, 20 and 21 percent in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total/HDL cholesterol ratio, respectively (15).

Various factors exist in fruits and vegetables that provide possible protection against cardiovascular disease. These factors include folic acid, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, carotenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenolic antioxidants. Typically, vegetarian diets are also somewhat lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. Vegetarians typically have lower blood cholesterol levels. Plant diets rich in soluble fiber (such as found in dry beans, oats, carrots, squash, apples, and citrus) are useful for lowering serum cholesterol levels.

The many flavonoids in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, have extensive biological properties that reduce the risk of heart disease. Flavonoids are among the most potent antioxidants. They protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation; inhibit the formation of blood clots; and have hypolipidemic effects and anti-inflammatory action (16). European studies found that those who had the highest consumption of flavonoids had 60 percentless mortality from heart disease and 70 percent lower risk of stroke than the low flavonoid consumers (17,18).

The yellow-orange and red carotenoid pigments in fruits and vegetables are powerful antioxidants that can quench free radicals and protect against cholesterol oxidation. Persons with high levels of serum carotenoids have a reduced risk of heart disease. The recent EURAMIC study found that a high intake of lycopene (the red pigment in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and watermelon) was associated in men with a 48 percent lower risk of a myocardial infarction compared with a low intake of lycopene (19). Cholesterol synthesis is suppressed and LDL receptor activity is augmented by the carotenoids beta-carotene and lycopene, similar to that seen with the drug fluvastatin (20).

Berries, Beans and Grains

Anthocyanin pigments, the reddish pigments found in fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, and black currants, are very effective in scavenging free radicals, inhibiting LDL cholesterol oxidation and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Various terpenoids in fruits and vegetables, and tocotrienols in nuts and seeds facilitate lower blood cholesterol levels, by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase (21). Garlic, onions and other members of the Allium family, contain a variety of ajoenes, vinyldithiins, and other sulfide compounds that have antithrombotic action and may lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

A number of studies have shown that legumes lower blood cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar control, and lower triglyceride levels. Since beans are good sources of soluble fiber, vegetable protein, saponins, phytosterols and polyunsaturated fat, consuming a diet rich in legumes will lower risk of heart disease.
In the Nurses' Health Study, the highest consumption of whole grains was associated with about a 35-40% reduction in risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In the Adventist Health Study a regular consumption of whole wheat bread was associated with a 40 to 50% reduced risk of fatal and non-fatal heart disease.

Nut Studies

Epidemiological studies have consistently reported that frequent nut consumption is associated with a 30-60% reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease (22). A number of clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of diets containing almonds, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, or walnuts to significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels by 7 to 16 percent, without much change in HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels (22).

While nuts are high in fat, they are naturally low in saturated fat and most are quite rich in monounsaturated fat. Nuts also contain a number of vitamins, minerals and other substances important for cardiovascular health, such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, folic acid, copper, and dietary fiber. In addition, most nuts contain phytosterols, tocotrienols, and protective polyphenolics such as ellagic acid and flavonoids (23).

Stroke and Diabetes

Data from two prospective studie supports a protective relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of ischemic stroke (24). Cruciferous and green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits were the most protective. Data from the NHANES study revealed that consuming fruit and vegetables three or more times a day compared with less than once a day was associated with a 27% lower incidence of stroke, a 42% lower stroke mortality, a 27% lower cardiovascular disease mortality, and a 15% lower all-cause mortality (25). In the Adventist Health Study, non-vegetarians had a risk of fatal stroke that was 20-30% higher than the vegetarians. Data from population studies and human trials provide evidence that vegetarian dietary patterns lower blood pressure (26). Lower systolic blood pressures in elderly vegetarians has been reported to be best accounted for by their lower body weight (27). Vegetarians living in northern Mexico, were found to have lower body weights, higher potassium and lower sodium intakes, and lower mean blood pressures than non-vegetarians (28).

Higher consumption of nuts (29) and whole grains (30) has been associated with lower rates of diabetes. In a large prospective study, fruit and vegetable intake was found to be inversely associated with the incidence of diabetes, particularly among women (31). Men and women who reported seldom or never eating fruit or green leafy vegetables had higher mean HbA1C levels than those who had more frequent consumption (32). An increased consumption of fruit and vegetables appears to contribute to the prevention of diabetes.

Summary

The consumption of a generous supply of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables provides protection against chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A plant-based diet is rich in its content of health-promoting factors such as the many phytochemicals.

References

1. Messina V, Burke K. Position of The American Dietetic Association: Vegetarian Diets. J Am Diet Assoc 1997; 97: 1317-21.
2. Barnard ND, Nicholson A, and Howard JL. The medical costs attributable to meat consumption. Prev Med 1995;24:646-55.
3. Snowdon DA, Phillips RL. Does a vegetarian diet reduce the occurrence of diabetes? Am J Publ Health 1985;75: 507-512.
4. Dwyer JT. Health aspects of vegetarian diets. Am J Clin Nutr 1988;48: 712-38.
5. Fraser GE, Sumbureru D, Pribis S, et al. Association among health habits, risk factors, and all-cause mortality in a black California population. Epidemiology 1997;8:168-74.
6. Setchell KDR. Phytoestrogens: the biochemistry, physiology, and implications for human health of soy isoflavones. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68(suppl):1333S-46S
7. Steinmetz K, Potter J. Vegetables, fruit and cancer, I. Epidemiology. Cancer Causes Control 1991;2(suppl):325-57.
8. Jacobs DR, Marquart L, Slavin J, et al. Whole-grain intake and cancer: an expanded review and meta-analysis. Nutr Cancer 1998;30:85-96.
9. Caragay AB. Cancer-preventative foods and ingredients. Food Tech 1992;46(4):65-8.
10. Craig WJ. Nutrition and Wellness. A Vegetarian Way to Better Health. Golden Harvest Books, Berrien Springs, MI, 1999.
11. World Cancer Research Fund. Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research, Washington DC, 1997.
12. Kafatos A, Diacatou A, Voukiklaris G, et al. Heart disease risk-factor status and dietary changes in the cretan population over the past 30 y: the seven countries study. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65:1882-6.
13. Key TJA, Thorogood M, Appleby PN, et al. Dietary habits and mortality in 11,000 vegetarians and health conscious people: results of 17-year follow up. BMJ 1996;313:775-79.
14. Thorogood M, Carter R, et al. Plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in people with different diets in Britain. Br Med J 1987;295: 351-3.
15. Jenkins DJA, Popovich D, Kendall C, et al. Effect of a diet high in vegetables, fruit, and nuts on serum lipids. Metabolism 1997;46:530-7.
16. Manach C, Regerat F, Texier O, et al. Bioavailability, metabolism and physiological impact of 4-oxo-flavonoids. Nutr Res 1996;16:517-44.
17. Hertog MGL , Feskens EJM, Hollman PC, et al. Dietary antioxidant flavonoids and risk of coronary heart disease. Lancet 1993:342:1007-11.
18. Keli SO, Hertog MG, Feskins EJ, et al. Dietary flavonoids, antioxidant vitamins, and incidence of stroke: the zutphen study. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:637-42.
19. Clinton SK. Lycopene: chemistry, biology, and implications for human health and disease. Nutr Rev 1998;56:35-51.
20. Fuhrman B, Elis A, Aviram M. hypocholesterolemic effect of lycopene and beta-carotene is related to suppression of cholesterol synthesis and augmentation of ldl receptor activity in macrophages. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1997; 233: 658-62.
21. Pearce BC, Parker RA, Deason ME, et al. Hypocholesterolemic activity of synthetic and natural tocotrienols. J Med Chem 1992;35:3595-606.
22. Kris-Etherton PM, Zhao G, Binkoski AE, Coval SM, Etherton TD. The effects of nuts on coronary heart disease risk. Nutr Rev 2001 Apr;59(4):103-11
23. Dreher ML, Maher CV, Kearney P. the traditional and emerging role of nuts in healthful diets. Nutr Rev 1996;54:241-5.
24. Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JF, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to risk of ischemic stroke. JAMA 1999;282:1233-9.
25. Bazzano LA, He J, Ogden LG, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease in US adults: the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:93-9
26. Beilin LJ, Burke V. Vegetarian diet components, protein and blood pressure: which nutrients are important? Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 1995;22:195-8.
27. Melby CL, Lyle RM, Poehlman ET. Blood pressure and body mass index in elderly long-term vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Nutr Rep Intern 1988;37(1): 47.
28. Wyatt CJ, Velazquez A, Grijalva C, et al. Dietary intake of sodium, potassium and blood pressure in lacto-ovo-vegetarians. Nutr Res 1995;15:819-30.
29. Jiang R, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, et al. Nut and peanut butter consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. JAMA 2002;288:2554-60.
30. Fung TT, Hu FB, Pereira MA, et al. Whole-grain intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in men. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:535-40.
31. Ford ES, Mokdad AH. Fruit and vegetable consumption and diabetes mellitus incidence among U.S. adults. Prev Med 2001 Jan;32:33-9.
32. Sargeant LA, Khaw KT, Bingham S, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake and population glycosylated haemoglobin levels: the EPIC-Norfolk Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2001;55:342-8.

Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.

format_quote Originally Posted by zaira

[COLOR=Purple]I've been a vegetarian for about 8-9 years now. I do, however, include seafood in my diet. I try my best to only buy eco-friendly seafood.

اشْهَدُ انْ لّآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدً اعَبْدُه وَ رسوله

Ašh hadu al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa
ašh hadu anna Muhammadun ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu
I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger


As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Ukhi Zaira:

We share an identical diet. (Since 1980) Alhamdulillah

Thank you for providing the informative post. I enjoy posts that provide enlightenment over feelings and opinions.

سم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Bismillā hir Rahmā nir Rahīm
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

اشْهَدُ انْ لّآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدً اعَبْدُه وَ رسوله

Ašh hadu al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa
ašh hadu anna Muhammadun ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu
I bear witness that none is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger


As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):

Ukhi Zarmina:

In my experience if you can read a cookbook you are able to duplicate anything. There are so many cultural meals that the main meal is based solely on non meat that are delicious.

Example:

Salads

Agourontomatosalata
Greek Salad (American)
Greek Village Salad - authentic
Haricot Bean Salad
Marinated Green Olives - Chakistes Kibrisli Style Cyprus
Quinoa Salad

Soups

Chick Pea Soup
Fasolatha (Bean Soup)
Lentil soup (Fakes soupa)
Salata Pataton - Potato Salad

Beans, Lentils & Pasta

Baked Beans (Fasolia)
Butter Beans with Mint and Tomatoes
Dried beans stewed with tomato (Fasolia xera yachnista)
Lentil Stew
Cannellini and Vegetables
Spaghetti With Tomato Garlic Sauce

Dolmas/Stuffed Grape Leaves

Stuffed Grape Leaves With Rice (Dolmades)
Yum-Yum Dolmas

Vegetables

Arakas Me Anitho: Greek Dilled Peas With Peppers
Briami (vegetables)
Bulgar, Veg Chickpea and Bean Greek Superfood Stew
Eggplant Stuffing
Eggplants with Garlic
Fasolakia Ladera
Green Beans Braised With Mint & Potatoes
Green Beans Hellinika
Kosta's Greek Ambrosia Green Beans
Lathera (The Oily Dish)
Mushrooms Stifado
Roasted Beets with Skordalia
Roasted Potatoes
"Skordy" New Potatoes W/Rosemary Lemon & Olive Oil
Spinach Pie
Vegan Brokolo Me Latholemono (Broccoli With Lemon)
Vegan Moussaka
Vegetable Medley
Yemista Me Ryzi - Greek Stuffed Vegetables

Desserts

Baklava ( Our Favorite dessert)
Dessert Pie with raisins (Stafidopita)
Soy Yogurt Parfait

It makes you hungry. The possibilities are endless. Let us know what plate you prepared and how it tasted. Insha Allah

Jazakillahu Khair

format_quote Originally Posted by Zarmina

I try, but it's so hard. Perhaps I need to learn to cook.

Mashallah, it's great that you are trying. Maybe start of slow, like having one vegetarian day a week. When I stopped eating meat I was forced to learn how to cook, lol - it really ended up being a blessing. Before I couldn't even make kraft dinner without a disaster . Here's a link to easy veggie recipes: http://www.theveggietable.com/recipes/easyrecipes.html.

i dont know about you guys but i needs some MEAAAT!