The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

Vegetables by Alexmax, Dreamstime

Guest Post by Andrew Hall

There are considerable benefits to a vegetarian diet that might not immediately come to mind when considering the decision to prioritize vegetables and quit eating meat.

As someone who was vegetarian for half a decade (I would now identify as a conscious omnivore more than strict vegetarian, but I do make vegetables the center of most of my meals), here are some things that I definitely experienced.

Because I quit eating meat, I had to find new ways to get adequate protein in my diet. I included tofu, obviously, but I also learned about wheat meats (like seitan and tempeh) and alternative proteins like quinoa, as well as the benefits of eating root vegetables, like sweet potatoes and winter squash. This exposure to new foods  taught me how to cook all sorts of dishes I had previously no exposure to: I learned how to make my own curry pastes, chili powders, hummus, and salads as filling as they are nutritious. And in addition to expanding my recipe collection, I’ve also had more chances to learn about produce. Just like some people seek out quality fish or steaks, vegetarianism can quickly teach you about the importance of quality produce. In my case, I began to seek out my vegetables from community gardens and farmers’ markets, rather than from grocery stores, and I found myself learning a considerable amount about things I would otherwise have no idea about, like the fact that you shouldn’t refrigerate tomatoes and that cooking against the seasons almost always yields inferior results. 

Many towns and cities now have vegetarian and vegan restaurants, or at least restaurants that prioritize vegetable-centric meals over non-vegetable centric ones. Some are even critically acclaimed on the same scale as omnivore-centric ones, like Ubuntu in Napa, which holds a Michelin star. If not, you can find vegetarian cooking groups or start one, giving you chances to meet new people, learn more about cooking and about food, and new social exposure with many people who are probably likeminded in at least a few other ways.

Finally, a balanced vegetarian diet can help you maintain or lose weight while taking in significantly better vitamin and mineral levels than a meat-centric one, though there are a number of trappings you can fall into. Consuming large quantities of pasta, candy, cheese (much of which contains rennet, a product made from a cow’s fourth stomach) or cereal will ultimately prove worse for you than a meat-centric diet, but planning your meals in advance can save you money and lead to better health. If you’re a new vegetarian and looking for places to start, take a look at the Guide to Culinary Schools’ list of  50 Ridiculously Yummy Vegan & Vegetarian Blogs.

Sound off, vegetarians: what benefits have you enjoyed?

October’s Monthly Muse guest post is written by Andrew Hall, a writer living in Seattle. He graduated from Whitman College in May of 2010 and spends a fair amount of time trying to produce the best possible goat cheese and spinach salad. In his spare time he is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on becoming a sonographer for Guide to Healthcare Schools.

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