The Best Ways to Maintain Your Health as a Vegetarian

Vegetarianism has gained a lot of traction over the years as people learn more about health and nutrition, and seek out ways to avoid diseases that tend to have ties to diets high in red meat. Studies have found that folks who abide by a vegetarian diet are less likely to have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Many athletes have also gone vegetarian as a means not only to maintain a better health regimen but also to lose weight. Former Boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson lost 100 pounds on a vegan diet, and famous footballer Joe Namath has often spoken out about being vegetarian.

And of course some people go vegetarian because of their love of animals, or environmental concerns.

But becoming a vegetarian will not make you healthier if you’re not eating the right foods! If you’re just eating m&ms and drinking root beer all day, you can call yourself a vegetarian but you’re definitely not healthy! Something to consider when you’ve eliminated meat from your day-to-day eating habits is finding good sources of protein, calcium, vitamin B-12, Omega-3, and Vitamin D. And the only way to do this is to eat a diverse array of fruits, vegetables, grains, and foods high in protein and healthy fats.

Here are some recommendations for a vegetarian diets:

• Grains - Quinoa, barley, buckwheat, rice, oats, wholegrain rice and pasta, couscous, bulgar wheat, grainy bread, noodles, cereal, and oats.
• Fruits - Bananas, apples, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, melons, pears, and peaches.
• Vegetables - Leafy greens (kale, spinach, collard greens, cabbage, arugula, etc.), asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, and carrots.
• Legumes - Lentils, kidney beans, peas, chickpeas, black beans, soy beans, and pinto beans.
• Nuts - Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, macadamia nuts, cashews, and chestnuts.

Incorporating these ingredients into your daily eating habits will ensure that you’re getting the nutrients you need and maintaining your health without eating meat. And it’s easy to create meals using these foods – smoothies, veggie tacos, veggie burgers, falafels, salads, quinoa bowls, parfaits…. A quick Google search will reveal a whole world of options!

Taking supplements is another way to help support your health and fitness goals as a vegetarian. JBN’s Creatine Monohydrate will help you maintain your creatine levels while building muscle. Since creatine is found in fish, meat, and milk, this is a great way to find the balance you need. Another great supplement is JBN’s InflamMove. If you work out a lot, or run often, you want to keep your joints in check to avoid injury. InflamMove is made up of ten natural herbal ingredients (all vegetarian of course!) that stave off inflammation and support joint movement and mobility.

And just for fun here’s a short list if some famous vegetarians:

Paul McCartney (The Beatles)

Franz Kafka

Ariana Grande

Erykah Badu

Albert Einstein

Joe Namath

And please remember, before making any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, to always consult with a medical professional first!