Perhaps you have noticed that in the past, vegetarianism, once considered exclusive to monks, has evolved with the times and is now a global fashion label and a brand-new healthy lifestyle. In major cities, more and more people are leaning towards vegetarianism, and a "vegetarian wave" of eating more vegetables and fruits and less meat is on the rise.
It is understood that the interest in vegetarianism stems from various reasons: some are responding to and following international fashion trends; some believe that vegetarianism is the healthiest lifestyle, offering many nutritional advantages that meat diets cannot match; and others are motivated by concerns for animals and environmental protection.
According to some statistics, most vegetarians in China today are the most fashionable, culturally sophisticated, and economically powerful white-collar women. They generally understand the principles of health preservation, and their choice to be vegetarian is usually unrelated to faith. They are concerned with the relationship between vegetarianism and beauty, weight loss, physical fitness, and health, hoping that it will help them maintain a good figure and perfect image at work or in social situations.
What constitutes a vegetarian
Vegetarians generally fall into 4 categories:
Vegans: They consume only plant-based foods. This group is most common in Western countries and most includes foods like onions and garlic.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians: In addition to plants, their diet includes eggs but not dairy. This type of vegetarian is more common in Eastern countries like China and Japan, and they generally avoid pungent vegetables like onions and garlic.
Lacto-vegetarians: In addition to plants, their diet includes dairy products. This type of vegetarian is more common in South Asian countries like India. They generally avoid eggs and alcohol but can accept pungent vegetables like onions and garlic.
Ovo-vegetarians: In addition to plants, their diet includes eggs but not dairy. This type of vegetarian is similar to lacto-ovo vegetarians and generally avoids pungent vegetables like onions and garlic.
In recent years, a new category of vegetarians has emerged in Hong Kong who abstain from various foods for health reasons: they mostly advocate for organic foods and natural nutritional supplements, and refuse to consume foods containing preservatives, genetically modified organisms, artificial colors, and monosodium glutamate.
The benefits of vegetarianism
Research shows that vegetarianism can purify the blood, prevent constipation and hemorrhoids, improve skin beauty, and stabilize mood. Compared to a meat-based diet, vegetarianism offers numerous benefits for health preservation.
1. Vegetarianism is the most natural path to longevity.
2. Vegetarianism is the most effective and fundamental beauty product.
3. Vegetarianism can reduce the incidence of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.
4. Vegetarianism can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
5. Vegetarianism helps increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
6. Vegetarianism is an effective remedy for weight loss.
7. Vegetarianism can make the brain smarter.
8. Vegetarianism helps to make one's character more gentle.
9. Vegetarianism makes people more energetic.
10. Vegetarianism is beneficial for physical health.
11. Vegetarians can be protected from animal-borne diseases such as avian influenza.
The Pyramid Vegetarian Diet
At the International Vegetarian Diet Conference held in November 1997, Professor T. Colin Campbell of Cornell University unveiled a "Pyramid Vegetarian Diet." This is a nutritionally balanced vegetarian diet designed to help reduce the risk of many diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, and some chronic degenerative conditions.
The "Pyramid Vegetarian Diet" emphasizes that every meal should include a variety of base foods, which form the pyramid's base: fruits, vegetables, grains, oats, wheat, whole-wheat bread, barley, noodles, flour products, and corn. The middle layer, which should also be consumed daily, includes: nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy products, soy cheese, milk, and vegetable oils. The tip of the pyramid consists of "non-essential" foods that can be consumed occasionally in small amounts, such as eggs and desserts.
In addition to following the diet above, it is also necessary to get moderate exercise and drink plenty of water every day.