Saturday, August 29, 2009

Easy on digestion

The complex carbohydrates in vegetarian foods are digested gradually providing a steady source of glucose. Conversely, meats that are mostly rich in fat and proteins are difficult to digest and utilize a lot of energy to process. Now you know why a heavy non-veg meal leaves you feeling lazy.

Weight management

Avoiding meat, especially red and organ meats such as liver and kidney is the simplest way of reducing your fat consumption. Instead, consuming a diet rich in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, nuts, and fruits, along with a regular exercise program results in lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, less obesity and consequently less heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

Carbohydrate deficiencies

A non-vegetarian diet is a poor source of carbohydrate, a crucial fuel for the body.
So make sure veggies are a regular part of your diet since carb-deficiency can lead to Ketosis --- a condition where the body starts breaking down fat (instead of carbs) as a source of energy.

Stronger bones

Gorging on meat can lead to excessive intake of protien, thereby interfering with the absorption of calcium. So much so that it may even prompt the body to draw out the existing calcium from the bones so as to correct the fluctuation in the blood's acidity level. Among vegetarians, this calcium excretion is known to be less common. Also, a protien overload can tax our kidneys.

Healthy skin

Research has shown that eating vegetables such as beetroot, tomato, pumpkin, bitter gourd and green leafy vegetables can clear off your blemishes. And fruits such as guava, apples, pears, peaches, eaten along with their peel promise a glowing complexion. Plants enriched with Vitamin C act as a natural sun block, delaying the ageing process. Also, high water content and antioxidants present in cucumber and water melon can work wonders for the skin.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Health tip

If you want to wake up fresh, avoid coffee, red wine and chocolate the night before. One of the best ways to ruin a good sleep is to upset your gut. You really need to keep it happy during the night.