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Vegetarian lifestyle -

Experts believe that vegetarian diets have existed since approximately 700 BCE, according to Health Line.

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Vegan - The vegan lifestyle dates back to the 1940s, according to The Vegan Society.

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Differences - What are the actual differences between the two lifestyles?

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Vegetarians - Vegetarians cut meat out of their diets for various reasons, as stated by Thought Co.

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Nutritional reasons - Nutritional vegetarians stop eating meat for reasons associated with health and well-being.

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Ethical reasons - Ethical vegetarians stop eating meat in protest to the mistreatment suffered by animals or because of religious reasons.

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Vegans - As defined by The Vegan Society, vegans eliminate all animal products, whether it be in their diet or in the products they use and wear.

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Vegan habits -

From a nutritional perspective, the difference between vegetarians and vegans is that vegans don't consume any type of animal product, including dairy and eggs.

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Benefits - According to a publication by Harvard Medical School, studies show that a vegetarian-based lifestyle can prevent certain illnesses.

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Prevention: cardiac diseases - The publication points out that there is evidence that vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac problems and even death.

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Prevention: cardiac diseases - A good tip to avoid heart-related disease is to eat a diet rich in fiber and greens, which helps balance sugar levels in the blood.

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Prevention: cardiac diseases - Another valuable tip is to eat nuts as they have a low glycemic index and contain antioxidants and healthy fats. Just don't overdue it as they are quite fatty!

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Prevention: cancer - According to Harvard, many studies suggest that a diet based on fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of certain cancers.

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Prevention: cancer - There is evidence that vegetarians have a lower risk of cancer than people who consume meat, although the difference isn't huge.

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Prevention: cancer -

One type of cancer that can be avoided by reducing red meat consumption is colon cancer, according to the publication.

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Prevention: diabetes - A diet based on veggies can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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Prevention: arthritis -

In addition to the aforementioned illnesses, a vegan diet can help prevent the development of arthritis, according to the Daily Mail.

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Specialist opinion - According to an interview with Dr. Michael Klaper published on the site Live Kindly, eight out of the ten deadliest illnesses in the US are related to diet.

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Specialist opinion - According to the doctor, illnesses like obesity, clogged arteries, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma can be the result of meat and dairy consumption.

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Specialist opinion - According to Dr. Klaper, the solution to avoiding this type of disease is adopting a vegan diet and cutting out animal products.

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Responsibility - It is very important to be responsible when it comes to your diet as drastic lifestyle changes can end up causing health risks.

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Responsibility - Harvard Medical School pointed out that a poor vegetarian diet can result in nutrient deficiencies.

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Risk: protein deficiency - As vegetable proteins are different from those found in animals, vegans and vegetarians need to eat a balanced diet to ensure they are consuming enough protein.

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Risk: vitamin B12 deficiency - This vitamin is found just in animal products. Vegetarians have greater options for consuming the vitamin, but vegans may need to supplement.

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Risk: zinc deficiency - The presence of phytic acid in foods such as whole grains, seeds, beans, and legumes can make it more difficult to absorb zinc.

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Risk: omega 3 deficiency - The publication also points out that diets excluding fish and eggs are poor in fatty acids.

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Balance is key - Specialists affirm that it is possible to maintain a healthy and balanced vegetarian or vegan diet, as shown by the Daily Mail.

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Specialist accompaniment -

If you're considering changing your lifestyle and adopting a healthier diet, it's a good idea to consult with a nutritionist who can help find the right diet for you.

See also: Top tips for the vegan and vegetarian athlete

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