Growing grains and pulses to feed to animals is much less efficient than eating them ourselves, and a balanced vegetarian diet is one of the healthiest diets around. Many religions and faiths recommend vegetarianism and some people turn away from eating meat because of broader ethical issues. A vegetarian diet can also be one of the cheapest too.
Some of the downfalls to consider however would be the lack of choice and selection –you have to be very careful and think about what you eat. If you have been raised with eating meat and fish it can be quite difficult at first to adjust to the new diet.
You may feel there is a limited choice in what meals you can eat. However, that mindset can be overturned by experimenting with simple recipes for friends and family. Don’t be afraid to cook with what may seem new or weird; be open to try out anything – who knows, the next new simple vegetable stew, casserole or burger may end up on a restaurant menu!
Red meat contains a lot of iron and zinc and, unfortunately, vegetarians are prone to having low iron levels in their blood. One way to prevent these deficiencies is to know which food groups are good for you to regain those vital minerals, such as whole grains, nuts, green spinach, leafy vegetables and Brussels sprouts. Again, they don’t have to be eaten on their own – you can experiment with including these foods in your meals.
As a vegetarian myself, I believe the diet has helped me to live a good simple life, appreciating all living creatures. Sticking to my vegetarian diet was not only for religious reasons (as I am a Jain which is part of the Hindu religion), but it also helps me to sustain longevity in taking a holistic approach to life by simply eating pure, natural and healthy foods that can make you feel good at the end of each day.