Followed over time, vegetarian diets were associated with a substantially lower incidence of diabetes, indicating the potential of these diets to stem the current diabetes epidemic.
We see the same step-wise drop in rates of another leading killer, high blood pressure. The greater the proportion of plant foods, the lower the rates of hypertension, and the same with excess body fat. The only dietary group not on average overweight were those eating diets composed exclusively of plant foods, but again there was the same incremental drop with fewer and fewer animal products. This suggests that it’s not black and white, not all or nothing, any steps we can make along this spectrum of eating healthier may accrue significant benefits.
Source: What About Eating Just a Little Meat? | NutritionFacts.org
Source: PLOS ONE: Taiwanese Vegetarians and Omnivores: Dietary Composition, Prevalence of Diabetes and IFG
Source: Millennials and A Plant-Based Diet. Better Food, Better Choices.
Each and every meal is a choice. Make good choices. In my 20’s I pursued a vegetarian lifestyle for about two years. Towards the end of that period I was eschewing dairy and eggs. Then I stopped my veggie ways. The reason? I missed pizza. The lessons learned however were not lost. I thoroughly enjoy meatless meals now but if I want a piece of dead cow, I’ll eat dead cow.
Try not to get caught up in right vs. wrong. Use your common sense. Do not become the woman who fed her 11 month old nuts and fruit. Just nuts and fruit!
Make wise, informed choices. Understand as I have your need for calories decrease with age. You have to eat less the older you are. Strive towards more plant based meals and you’ll be OK. Just don’t get too fruity or nutty about it all.
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