Melissa Stevens, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Program Coordinator, Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitative Services
Following a vegetarian dietary pattern is one of the best ways to minimize your risk for coronary heart disease.
Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, a vegetarian diet provides a host of phytonutrients, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals found to help fend off disease.
In addition to reducing heart disease risk, people who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet enjoy the following health benefits:
Types of Vegetarian Diets
There are many types of vegetarian diets. Some are followed for personal, religious, humanitarian or environmental reasons. The following are just some types of vegetarianism:
Semi-Vegetarian: Will usually eat everything but red meat. Poultry is often excluded, but fish and dairy products are almost always included.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: Will eat all dairy products, including butter, cheese and eggs but no meat, poultry or fish.
Lacto-vegetarian: Will eat dairy products but no eggs, meat, poultry or fish.
Vegan: Eats only plant foods like cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Excludes all foods of animal origin, including foods that contain any ingredients derived from an animal.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/
Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, a vegetarian diet provides a host of phytonutrients, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals found to help fend off disease.
In addition to reducing heart disease risk, people who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet enjoy the following health benefits:
- Reduced risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.
- Lower body weight and reduced risk for obesity.
- Reduced risk of certain cancers (like colon and breast).
- Less risk of diverticular disease and digestive disorders.
- Increased longevity.
Types of Vegetarian Diets
There are many types of vegetarian diets. Some are followed for personal, religious, humanitarian or environmental reasons. The following are just some types of vegetarianism:
Semi-Vegetarian: Will usually eat everything but red meat. Poultry is often excluded, but fish and dairy products are almost always included.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: Will eat all dairy products, including butter, cheese and eggs but no meat, poultry or fish.
Lacto-vegetarian: Will eat dairy products but no eggs, meat, poultry or fish.
Vegan: Eats only plant foods like cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Excludes all foods of animal origin, including foods that contain any ingredients derived from an animal.
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/
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