Veggie Love Planet

Vegetarianism is increasing in popularity in the United States, according to a recently published position paper in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association . Among adults, 2.3% of the population is vegetarian and 3% of 8- to 18-year-olds follow a vegetarian diet. That doesn’t sound like much, but—compared with just a few decades ago—there is a definite movement from Americans to give up their beloved burgers, at least some of the time. According to the American Dietetic Association’s new position paper, released in July, “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.” In summary, vegetarian diets offer health advantages and are approp...

Here is a guide to the scientifically proved health benefits of some of the most popular teas: Black Tea: Protects Against Heart Disease Packed with antioxidant polyphenols to destroy harmful free radicals and boost your body’s resistance to infection, black tea also has about half the caffeine of fresh coffee. Earl Grey: Good Digestive Aid The bergamot oil with which Earl Grey is flavored comes from a type of orange that is thought to help digestion because it stimulates production of stomach enzymes, helping to break down food. Green Tea: Immune Boosting Because green tea is rolled and dried rather than fermented, like black tea is, it retains more nutrients and has a higher antioxidant immune-boosting, anti-aging effect. Research has found that green tea can help prevent a whole range of diseases, including diabetes and cancer of the stomach, prostate, and lungs. It can also help reduce cholesterol levels and appears to give more effective protection against Alzheimer’s than bla...

Did you know that green tea has been shown to have many health benefits, including fighting the effects of aging and reducing the risk of some cancers? And green tea can also be used externally to make your skin glow, heal blemishes, cuts, and rashes, soothe strained or tired eyes, fight body odor, and more. According to Professor Takuo Okada, “Vitamin E reduces the number of peroxide lipids, which slows down cell degeneration and the aging process. Green tea has been shown to be twenty times more active in this respect than Vitamin E.” The polyphenols in green tea appear to reduce the risks of certain cancers. These powerful antioxidants help control the activity of free radicals, the unstable compounds that can destroy cells and are implicated n a host of diseases, not just cancer. Researchers in Great Britain discovered that drinking four or five cups of green tea a day might help reduce both high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and that both black and green teas were shown ...

A Pennsylvania State University study showed that omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources actually promote bone formation and may help to reduce the risk for osteoporosis by inhibiting excessive bone loss. Omega-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and a variety of vegetable oils. Plant sources of essential fatty acids : Dark green leafy vegetables Flaxseed Flaxseed oil (also called linseed oil) Chia seeds Pumpkin seeds Sunflower seeds Canola oil Hemp oil Soy oil Wheat germ Soybeans Tofu Tempeh Additionally, plant sources of this essential nutrient tend also to be rich in vitamin E, which has many benefits including promoting cardiovascular health. Certainly, vegetarians attain optimal health by consuming plant-based meals.  They are leaner and have more energy than their omnivorous counterparts and now it is apparent that they enjoy a healthier mood state, as well.a

It has been well documented that people who choose a vegetarian diet enjoy superior health with lower risks for a variety of disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Now, science has presented us with yet another reason to choose the healthful vegetarian lifestyle. A new study published in Journal Nutrition has linked the vegetarian lifestyle with healthier mood states. It turns out that vegetarians are not only a lot healthier than the rest of the population, apparently, they are a lot happier, too. How does this finding challenge current recommendations? According to the researchers at Arizona State University, the vegetarians in their study experienced significantly less negative emotion than the omnivores. This is good news for everyone, because consuming fish is often the subject of government health advisories. The oceans are increasingly polluted and contain unacceptable levels of contaminants, such as dioxin and PCPs, and a recent government study revealed wid...

It's never too early to encourage healthy eating habits. In his landmark book Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care , the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, America's most respected pediatrician, recommended that parents raise their children on a vegan diet. "We now know that there are harmful effects of a meaty diet," wrote Spock. "Children who grow up getting their nutrition from plant foods rather than meats have a tremendous health advantage. They are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. ... I no longer recommend dairy products. ... There was a time when cow's milk was considered very desirable. But research, along with clinical experience, has forced doctors and nutritionists to rethink this recommendation." Doctors and concerned parents agree: Consuming dairy products is unnatural, and it can make children sick.

Stomachaches are only the beginning of the problems that your kids may face if you give them dairy products. Studies suggest that milk consumption may contribute to asthma, constipation, recurrent ear infections, iron deficiency, anemia, and even cancer. Consuming dairy products can also make kids overweight. There is a reason why dairy products are so fattening—they're packed with fat and calories. In fact, calves can gain almost 500 pounds by the time they are weaned from their mothers. The calories from the fat and sugar in cow's milk will add to your child's waistline and detract from his or her health. On the other hand, many plant foods contain calcium but don't have all the cholesterol or come with the adverse health effects that are associated with dairy products. Plus, despite what the powerful dairy industry lobby might claim, independent scientists have found that the calcium in plant-based sources is more easily absorbed by human bodies than is the calcium...

Here are six reasons of why vegetarian diet is so good for you: Vegetarian cuisine is naturally low in saturated fats, and foods of plant origin contain little or no cholesterol. Plant foods are also much higher in fiber than animal foods. Many plant foods contain significant amounts of vital B-vitamins, and folic acid: and fruits and vegetables are powerful sources of phytochemicals - nutrients that help every organ of the body work better. Vegetarians tend to eat fewer calories, since grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, volume-for-volume, tend to be lower in calories than meat and poultry. Studies have shown that as long as their diet is balanced and nutritious, the people who consume fewer total daily calories live longer and healthier lives. Veggie lovers believe that foods from plant sources, which are lower on the food chain, are safer than animal foods, since pollutants tend to concentrate in fatty tissues. While raw fruits and vegetables can carry harmful ba...

Even though nutritionists seem to disagree on many topics, all agree that plant-eaters tend to live longer and healthier lives than do animal eaters. In every way, the brocolli-munchers tend to be healthier than the meat eaters: Vegetarians have a lower incidence of cancer, especially colon, stomach, mouth, esophagus, lung, prostate, bladder, and breast cancers. The protection against intestinal cancers is probably due to the fiber in a plant-based diet. In fact, vegetarians have a lower incidence of nearly all intestinal diseases and discomforts, especially constipation and diverticulosis. The phytonutrients in plant foods, especially antioxidants, flavonoids, and carotenoids, may also contribute to protection against cancer. Plant food is better for your heart, since it is low in cholesterol and saturated fat, and high in fiber. Vegetarians have a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, namely heart attacks and stroke. A study of 25,000 Seventh-Day Adventists showed that thes...

Raising a little vegan requires more planning and nutritional know-how to insure that the child gets enough calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B-12, and some of the other B-vitamins. Yes, children can grow normally on a diet of grains, legumes, and greens, yet it's a bit risky. A wise parent should seek periodic advice from a nutritionist experienced in vegan diets and practice these precautions: Protein is not a problem, children can get all the proteins they need from plant foods only; especially whole grains, soy products, legumes, and nuts. Calcium may present a challenge, since traditional plant sources of calcium are not big favorites with children. (Good luck getting your child to eat kale and collards.) But many foods today are fortified with calcium, including calcium-fortified soy milk and orange juice, so a vegan child can get enough calcium without relying on supplements. Fortified foods, such as cereals and soy beverages, can also be a dietary source of vitamin B-1...

Maximize iron absorption by combining plant sources of iron with foods high in vitamin C. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider you're a vegan, and have your hemoglobin checked at least every other month. Because you can still feel anemic with a normal hemoglobin level, your doctor may want to do an iron profile, which is a more accurate measure of iron-sufficiency in your blood than is measuring your hemoglobin. (Research whether the increased fluid volume artificially dilutes the hemoglobin, giving a falsely low value.) If your practitioner recommends that you take iron supplements, protect yourself from discomfort by taking smaller doses with meals, for example, 100 milligrams of ferrous sulfate tablets three times a day. To increase the amount of iron absorbed from these pills, down a 100-milligram vitamin C tablet at the same time. Lean on sunlight as a valuable source of vitamin D. Since vitamin D is not stored in the body, you may need to take a supplement daily. ...

Vegetarian diets—naturally low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and replete with cancer-protective phytochemicals—help to prevent cancer. Large studies in England and Germany have shown that vegetarians are about 40 percent less likely to develop cancer compared to meat-eaters. In the United States, studies of Seventh-Day Adventists have shown significant reductions in cancer risk among those who avoided meat. Similarly, breast cancer rates are dramatically lower in nations, such as China, that follow plant-based diets.6 Interestingly, Japanese women who follow Western-style, meat-based diets are eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who follow a more traditional plant-based diet. Meat and dairy products contribute to many forms of cancer, including cancer of the colon, breast, ovaries, and prostate. Harvard studies that included tens of thousands of women and men have shown that regular meat consumption increases colon cancer risk by roughly 300 percent. High-fa...

As anyone who's suffered it knows, it sucks to have back pain. But it doesn't have to suck for your wallet. Practice the following tips to relieve your stiff back and neck: Take a Hot Bath with Epsom Salt. Add 1-2 cups of epsom salt in a tub of hot water for a luxurious self-spa treat after a long day of work. Epsom salts are cheap and can be bought at any supermarket or drug store. A hot bath will help relieve stiff muscles and probably remove some of the stress that is causing you back pain in the first place. Make Your Own Massage Tool with Two Tennis Balls and a Long Tube Sock. Stick two tennis balls in the end of a long tube sock and tie the ends tightly. You can then sandwich the tennis balls between your back and a wall to rub them against your knots, or lie down on the floor with the tennis balls beneath you. Sleep with More than One Pillow to Support Your Back. To minimize future back pain, be mindful of how you sleep. You will need one pillow for your head and n...

Here are some tips on jumping on the water train, straight to hydration station! Know that the eight glass rule isn’t necessarily for everyone. Weight and exercise also factor into how much you should drink a day so figure out how much water you need a day with this nifty water-drinking calculator ! Don’t feel like you have to start drinking dozens of glasses of water right off the bat, ease into it! When you want to drink a soda, think about the pros and cons. What good is a soda for you? It’s full of Aspartame, unnatural sweeteners, dyes… who knows! Water on the other hand is something your body needs and flourishes from. Make water accessible! Buy yourself a water purifying system (Heck, you can nab yourself a Brita at the grocery store!) so that way there is never an excuse not to pour yourself a glass. To piggyback on making it accessible, plan ahead! If you know you’re going to be out and about all day or sitting for forever at a desk, pour yourself a bottle to-go so ...

Calcium is plentiful in the plant world. Good sources of calcium include some dark-green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, collard greens, and kale), almonds, sesame tahini, calcium-fortified soy or rice milk, some brands of tofu, and calcium-fortified orange juice. By choosing these foods instead of dairy products, you can avoid the health risks associated with cow's milk—the Harvard School of Public Health says that dairy consumption is linked to high rates of obesity and ovarian and prostate cancers. Harvard also reports that there is a lack of evidence for a link between the consumption of dairy products and the prevention of osteoporosis—Harvard even cites studies showing that heavy dairy consumption appears to cause bone loss! Sunshine is one of the best sources of vitamin D. During warmer months, your skin manufactures enough of the vitamin if your face and forearms are exposed to sunlight for 15 to 20 minutes per day. But during colder and cloudier weather, it's imp...