is being vegetarian healthier?

rml_16

Vegetarian or omnivore itself has little to do with how healthy you're eating. Either can be done well or poorly.

I suspect (IMO) that there are more vegetarians eating poorly because they are on the "beige diet" of pastas, breads, rice, and fried potatoes, cheese and peanut butter, overuse of soy. My middle daughter once "decided" to be vegetarian but she wouldn't eat any vegetables! (That lasted about two weeks.) Eating healthy vegetarian requires more research and a bit of work in the beginning to learn what to eat. Colorful veggies and fruits, nuts, beans, a bit of dairy or egg, some starches - that makes a healthy vegetarian.

FYI, the comments about depression have to do with not eating the building blocks for serotonin and usually occur in vegans rather than vegetarians.

I suspect there are more omnivores eating unhealthy due to McDonald's making more profit than many countries' GDP. And with the increase in heart disease and type 2 diabetes being the number 1 killer in America. Thank you UN.

I don't think people are eating unhealthy because McDonald's is making a profit. I think McDonald's is making a profit because people are eating it.

The last time I was at McDonald's was kind of against my will and I had a fruit smoothie. They do have healthy choices there.

They are making the profit due to people eating there and I doubt the profit was on their healthy items.

You said people are eating unhealthy because McDonald's is making a profit. People don't go to McDonald's BECAUSE McDonald's is making a profit. McDonald's is making a profit because people go there.

rml_16

I don't think people are eating unhealthy because McDonald's is making a profit. I think McDonald's is making a profit because people are eating it.

The last time I was at McDonald's was kind of against my will and I had a fruit smoothie. They do have healthy choices there.

McDonald's smoothies have anywhere from 44 to 69 grams of sugar each. That is hardly a healthy option.

YES! and most of it is added sugar, not from fruit.

The banana-strawberry McDonald's smoothie has 44 grams of sugar.

The smoothie I make at home, which is nothing but a banana, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and 1 tablespoon NO SUGAR ADDED Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams has 49 grams.

If the sugar in the McD's smoothie is not from the fruit, then how come it's less than MY smoothie, which is, in fact, all fruit?

Espressocycle

You can eat crappy with or without meat. For what it's worth, it does take a bit more attention and expense to eat a healthful vegetarian diet. I will say a big pitfall of vegetarians is eating too much dairy, not to mention overdoing it on carbs and fake meat. A healthful diet includes lots of vegetables and legumes, whether or not it includes meat.

VeganGal84

Even Pop-Tarts are vegan.

Actually, most pop tarts are not even vegetarian as they use gelatin in the frosting. But there are plenty of other junk foods out there for vegans like oreos and coconut milk ice cream. Everyone type of diet will have junk food. Doesn't mean you have to eat it.

This was a rookie vegan mistake that I made in the beginning! I would only look at the allergen warnings at the end of the ingredient list (to look for eggs and milk) and thought that pop-tarts were vegan... until I finally noticed that they have gelatin in them and are not even vegetarian! :noway:

Luckily, the frosting-free poptarts ARE vegan, so if I ever desperately need a toaster pastry again :laugh: , I have an option.

fteale

Even Pop-Tarts are vegan.

Actually, most pop tarts are not even vegetarian as they use gelatin in the frosting. But there are plenty of other junk foods out there for vegans like oreos and coconut milk ice cream. Everyone type of diet will have junk food. Doesn't mean you have to eat it.

This was a rookie vegan mistake that I made in the beginning! I would only look at the allergen warnings at the end of the ingredient list (to look for eggs and milk) and thought that pop-tarts were vegan... until I finally noticed that they have gelatin in them and are not even vegetarian! :noway:

Luckily, the frosting-free poptarts ARE vegan, so if I ever desperately need a toaster pastry again :laugh: , I have an option.

But they still taste absolutely rank!

ronda_gettinghealthy

NO.... just that simple:ohwell:

prdough

I think meat can be super healthy. I am a big hunter, and nothing beats fresh venison. Super lean, 100% natural. And one animal will feed you for weeks!

There's not much that is more natural then that.

belinda_b

I think too that it depends on the person. I personally feel better being vegetarian. I think some feel better when they eat meat.