We seem to see and hear a lot about vegetarian food and diets, but what is vegetarianism exactly?
A vegetarian diet or eating regime excludes eating animal protein for health or ecological reasons, or even as an ethical principle. But such a vegetarian diet can of course be adapted to your own wants and needs. Meat, fish, seafood and eggs are then replaced by vegetable proteins such as cereals, soy and vegetables.
The benefits of vegetarian food
There are still a lot of prejudices about vegetarian food. That it wouldn’t provide enough energy and nutrition, for example. In reality, enough research has been done, from government and scientific sources, that shows that vegetarian food helps you stay perfectly healthy.
Most of the nutrients and vitamins we take in are found in plant-based products, in seeds, fruits and vegetables. Our own dieticians are happy to advise our customers on how to avoid meat as much as possible by opting for vegetarian alternatives.
The benefits? We have a concise overview:
- Your fiber levels goes up, giving you more energy.
- You increase the chances of a longer and healthier life,
- You're better at lowering your cholesterol,
- You have less risk of diabetes, obesity and strokes,
- You get a pleasant, full feeling,
- For ladies, it relieves the symptoms of menopause,
- You avoid nasty chemicals,
- Your skin stays beautiful and healthy for longer,
- You’re better at fighting depression,
- Your metabolism improves,
- You help to combat environmental pollution,
- You can make some nice savings by skipping meat and other products.
Your menu in practice
In short, it’s evident that vegetarian food is not a hip hype, but above all it is about a healthier lifestyle with more respect for the environment and the planet. With a little research and creativity, you too can quickly succeed in putting super tasty food on the table. From tasty aperitif snacks with dips, through soups and salads to tasty main dishes...
Need inspiration? Here are some ingredients vegetarians absolutely love:
- Legumes: red and white beans, chickpeas, split peas, lentils, ...
- Cereals: quinoa, wheat, polenta, bulgur, whole rice, ...
- Fresh fruits and vegetables. But canned is also possible, of course.
- Vegetable dairy products, based on soy, hazelnut, oats, rice, coconut, ... Not to be sneezed at for the lactose intolerant among us.
- Seeds: flax, pumpkin, sunflower, chia, sesame, ...
Not convinced that vegetarian food can also be fun and tasty? Check out our recipe for Pizza with Sweet Potato Crust.
Enjoy your meal!
