Enjoying the Benefits of a Vegetable Based Diet

Having a healthy and active body is almost everyone’s dream and for good reasons. A healthy body means longer life, more time for personal enjoyment, and quality family time. While a lot of people frequently enjoy taking out dinners and eating in fast food joints, there are also many people who are aware of the health issues such habit may entail. To achieve an active and healthier body, cooking home cooked meals is one. But not just any home cooked food; there are so many ways to turn your ordinary meals into super foods that provide superior health benefits.

Vegetables and fruits Based diet

According to medical authorities; Korean, Japanese, and Mediterranean diets are by far the healthiest and tastiest in the world. A vegetable based diet simply means that there are more vegetables than meat in every meal. Meats and carbohydrates are served on limited portions. Koreans and Japanese, for example, also eat meat, but the vegetables are the star of the meal. The three aforementioned diets have less fat or oil in the food. The Mediterranean diet uses fat in the form of olive oil – the healthiest source of fat. Other sources of fat come from avocado, oils from flaxseed, grape seed, canola, and vegetable.

There are numerous scholarly studies confirm that vegetable based diet provides lasting and powerful health benefits. The source of protein largely come form beans, tofu, mushrooms, and lentils. The vegetable protein is by far the best source of dietary protein without the fat. Vegetables and fruits have healthful benefits such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Vegetables and fruits are an excellent source of fiber. There are two types of fiber; soluble and insoluble. Here, is the summary of health benefits of both types of fiber:

Soluble fiber combines with the fatty acid. It delays the sugar and carbohydrate absorption which prevents diabetes and from further progressing. It also decreases the level of cholesterol in the blood and regulates glucose, great for diabetic patients.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and makes bowel movement easier. It prevents colon cancer by regulating the acidity of the intestines. This is an important because cancers and polyps proliferate in acidic intestines. All in all, it is a detoxifier and broom for the colon.

Phytochemicals or essential nutrients in the vegetables and fruits are important elements for an efficient metabolic process. A good metabolic parameter helps get rid of excess fat in the body and provides ample energy production. A good example of a phytochemical is lycopene which helps to prevent cancers. Vitamins and minerals help boost the immune system and other essential bodily processes.

The best source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals are cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Carrots, jicama, potato skin, apple, oranges, berries, and zucchini also provide these essential elements.

Other sources of fiber:

• Nuts
• Oatmeal
• Herbs
• Whole wheat food products

Engaging a vegetable based diet can help you prevent the following:

• Obesity
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Atherosclerosis (shrinking and hardening of the arteries)
• Skin diseases
• Low Metabolicolic rate
• Stroke and Diabetes

Make healthful eating a habit

Many people think that cooking healthy foods involve complicated techniques. This is probably the main concern among some people that they tend to cringe when they think they have to cook their own food. There are thousands of cookbooks out there; including recipes you can find online that provides simple cooking methods. Stir frying, for example, is the best way to cook vegetables because they are quick and easy to learn. This cooking method also retains the food’s nutrients because they are exposed to heat very rapidly, just enough to cook through the vegetables. Everyone needs to cook and eat healthy and make it a habit. When you learn to cook your own food, you know what you put in it, and you get to enjoy them too.

Juicing – The art of Making Raw Juice

Another healthy way to supplement your diet with essential nutrients and fiber is to make raw juice. First, you need a juicer in order to extract the juices. Second, you need to choose the raw vegetables you like, including carrots, zucchini, tomato, apples, celery, and so on. Mixing the vegetables with the fruits depends on your taste. Try experimenting with other fruits and vegetable combinations to make your own recipe.

Today would be a great day to start

Starting healthful eating can give you full health benefits. Remember that the vegetable based diet is not a vegetarian diet, and you may also eat meat but sparingly to get the best effect. Start eating healthy as soon as possible. In a few weeks, you will discover a newly found energy, your skin, and hair will glow with health and you lose weight too. One last thing: complement your diet with regular exercise and drink ample amounts of water. So, start today and feel great tomorrow. What do you think?