It’s World Vegetarian Day on October 1st, so we’re dedicating this blog to all things veggie. From the health and environmental benefits of following a veggie diet, to delicious foodie ideas, let’s get stuck into what it means to be a vegetarian in 2024.
What can you eat on a vegetarian diet?
A lot! Being a veggie is pretty simple - you just have to avoid eating or wearing meat and fish products, from leather shoes to chicken burgers. Unlike veganism, you can still enjoy dairy, eggs and honey, so cheese and milk are definitely still on the menu.
So why become a veggie? Well, it could be down to your beliefs that consuming animals is cruel, or it could be that you love the health benefits of a vegetarian diet. Whatever your reason, it’s a super-easy diet to try out.
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Where do vegetarians get their protein?
Most people assume that high-protein vegetarian meals are hard to come by. But you can actually find protein in a variety of sources. Here are just some of the foods veggies eat to up their protein:
Pulses:
Beans and lentils are great in pasta, soups and stews and are a low-fat source of protein.
Tofu:
Tofu has a bit of a bad rep, but when you marinade and bake until crispy, it’s a must-have for any evening meal.
Nuts and seeds:
Mix nuts and seeds into baked treats or sprinkle over your cereal. In just 100g you’ll find 20g of protein, making them a superb protein-rich snack.
Greek yoghurt:
100g of Greek yoghurt contains 10g of protein. Mix with fruit for a light breakfast or add to your favourite smoothie for a creamy twist.
Oats:
Did you know that 50g of oats made with milk contains around 15g of protein? It’s the perfect breakfast for when you want something that’s going to sustain you.
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What are the benefits of a vegetarian diet?
Health benefits:
A balanced, vegetarian diet is often rich in pulses, vegetables, fruits and nuts, meaning your meals are likely to be naturally lower in saturated fat and higher in fibre. You’re also more likely to get your 5-a-day in, meaning you and your body are enjoying all the good stuff.
Environmental benefits:
Veggie food has a low environmental impact. In fact, by simply replacing your protein sources with some of the veggie alternatives above, you could reduce carbon and other greenhouse emissions. But what does that look like? Well, according to the Vegetarian Society, by following a veggie diet for “one year, you could save the same amount of emissions as taking a small family car off the road for 6 months."
And it’s not just emissions you could be reducing. The more meat you eat, the more land and water are needed. The Vegetarian Society explain that a veggie diet requires two-and-a-half times less the amount of land needed to grow food, compared to a meat-based diet."
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Is The 1:1 Diet vegetarian?
On top of our products containing 25 vitamins and minerals, and 169 health benefits, they’re also suitable for vegetarians. so you can tuck into all of your favourite meal replacements without worrying if they fit your lifestyle. Learn even more about our products right here.
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Ready to try out a veggie diet? Our Consultants have lots of healthy, nutritionally balanced meals that not only taste amazing, but are veggie too. So, no excuses - now’s your time to embrace the veg and kick-start your weight loss journey.