Let’s Talk Vegetarian
A vegetarian diet is easy enough to follow. If a person eschews meat, that is pretty much the only requirement. A vegetarian diet is not a vegan diet that refuses all animal products. While some vegetarians consume poultry and fish, this seems to be fudging the issue. Plenty of protein and essential amino acids available from meat can be had without eating poultry or shellfish. Eggs and dairy products provide them. While chicken eggs are embryos, they are unfertilized. There is no chance that a person has prevented a chicken from being born if they eat an egg. Likewise, consuming milk, yogurt, and cheese do not deprive calves of vital sustenance. Dairy animals produce far more milk than their offspring can consume.
As with any dietary modification, a vegetarian diet should be undertaken after consulting a professional who will evaluate a person’s health issues, limitations, and particular needs. A licensed dietician or nutritionist can advise a person of what foods are appropriate for their optimal health. No matter how much a lay person researches and reads on the internet or in the library, they will never have the theoretical and practical skills of a trained and licensed professional. Most health insurance policies will cover consultation with a dietician or nutritionist to help a person meet their personal dietary goals. While commercial health insurance companies do not specifically promote vegetarian diets to their beneficiaries, they do encourage healthy lifestyles. A vegetarian diet prescribed or monitored by a professional has been proven to reduce incidences of cancer, those of the digestive tract in particular. A vegetarian diet has also been linked to lower cholesterol and improved cardiovascular health.
An appropriate and sensible vegetarian regimen will include a full range of plant-based foods that provide vital nutrients without the inclusion of animal flesh. Whether a person’s avoidance of meat is due to concerns regarding moral or physical health, a professional dietician or nutritionist, in cooperation with and under the oversight of a medical doctor who can order blood and physical function tests, can offer insights and advice that a vegetarian will not be able to obtain on their own. Professionals are required to maintain their continuing education to keep certification current. This means that they study and absorb the latest, peer reviewed research. Taking advantage of every tool covered by a health insurance policy means that vegetarians get the most up-to-date knowledge in the field and another set of eyes to monitor their personal choices and unique nutritional status.
