Vegetarian Recipes for a Healthy New You
Thursday, 17 February 2011
If you're looking to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle, then why not consider introducing more vegetarian recipes into your diet? Cutting down on meat -- particularly red meat -- can be a quick and easy way to reduce the fat and calorie content of your meals without sacrificing taste.
Vegetarian meals don't need to be bland or boring. You needn't be restricted to mountains of pasta or rice. There are many tasty meat-free online recipes that are easy to follow and very tasty, containing fresh, healthy ingredients and flavoured with a wide variety of herbs and spices.
Taking a break from meat can have many health benefits. Studies have shown that vegetarians who follow a well-balanced diet often have a lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer.
Of course, a vegetarian diet is only a healthy option if it is well balanced. There are many unhealthy vegetarian options and it's no good opting for chips followed by chocolate every day of the week. However, it can be difficult to vary a vegetarian diet and break out of an easy routine of jacket potatoes and pasta.
Looking to other countries for inspiration can be a good idea when you're lacking inspiration for new vegetarian recipes. Greek recipes that include feta cheese, olives and stuffed vine leaves can be great for vegetarians, and herald the change that you're looking for. Greek dips with pitta bread or crudités are also a great option for lunch or a healthy snack.
Italian food has great vegetarian options with its wide variety of pastas accompanied by tomato or cream-based sauces. Homemade pizza makes a quick and easy meal, and can be surprisingly healthy and nutritious if piled high with roasted vegetables instead of pepperoni.
If you enjoy traditional mince-based meals like spaghetti bolognaise and shepherds pie, then Quorn is a great low-fat alternative to beef mince. Cook it with tomatoes, herbs and spices and it makes a surprisingly tasty base for a range of meals including lasagne and moussaka.
A balanced vegetarian diet should include grains and cereals, preferably whole grains such as brown rice. Beans, nuts and seeds are vital as they provide fibre and protein that would often be found in meat. Fruit and vegetables are obviously a great staple for a healthy diet, but variety is the key. Try fruits and vegetables that you've never tasted before and experience new textures and flavours. Finally, dairy or soya products provide essential calcium and other nutrients.
There's no reason why a vegetarian diet should be lacking nutritionally. As long as you eat a varied diet which includes all of the above food groups then you should be getting all of the nutrients you need in a healthy way. In fact, a typical vegetarian diet is likely to closely match expert dietary recommendations for healthy eating as it is likely to be low in saturated fat, high in fibre and complex carbs, and rich in fresh fruit and vegetables.
You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian meals. Simply substituting some of your usual meat-based meals for vegetarian options can have real health benefits and help you lose weight without feeling like you are losing out. Having meat-free days can also force you to think outside the box and introduce more variety into a diet that may normally be fairly repetitive.
Many vegetarian recipes have the added convenience of being quick and simple to make, as taking the meat out of the equation often reduces cooking times considerably. A tasty vegetarian meal can be the perfect convenience food after a long, tiring day.
For those days when you really can't be bothered to cook full stop, supermarkets, restaurants and fast food outlets now stock a variety of vegetarian options. They are wising up to the fact that some people are choosing vegetarian meals not just for ethical reasons, but for health ones, and that meat is no longer considered an essential part of a good meal.
If you'd like introduce more vegetarian meals into your diet then search online for recipes. You may be surprised at how varied a vegetarian diet can be, and inspired to try new foods and flavours. Experts widely agree that many of us would benefit from reducing the amount of meat in our diets, so why not try some vegetarian options and feel the health benefits for yourself?
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