| There are many potential health benefits to eating a | | | | red beans with rice. Beans can be enjoyed plain, but |
| vegetarian diet. The rules still apply with healthy eating, | | | | they are also available with different seasonings to |
| although you should add variety, balance, and | | | | alter or enhance their taste. |
| moderation. A vegetarian is someone who avoids all | | | | Nuts are high in protein, although they deliver a lot more |
| types of meat, whether it be hamburgers, hot dogs, | | | | fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in |
| chicken, or even fish. Often, the different classifications | | | | moderation. Vegetarians have learned that it is possible |
| of vegetarians is based on which foods they do or do | | | | to obtain the protein of two ounces of meat by eating |
| not consume. For example, Lacto-ovo vegetarians will | | | | one cup of cooked beans. If all animal food is cut out |
| avoid animal flesh yet they will eat eggs and most | | | | of a diet, then there may be a lack of Vitamins D and |
| dairy products. A Vegan on the other hand, will avoid | | | | B12, as well as calcium. For most North Americans, we |
| all food that has any trace of animal origin. | | | | gain our vitamin B12 primarily through the consumption |
| Because they don't eat meet, vegetarians will often | | | | of animal meat and other products. Vegan sources of |
| wonder how they'll get enough protein. Most people do | | | | vitamin B12 include soy products and other fortified |
| not know that the average US citizen eats too much | | | | food, vegans may also want to consider |
| protein. Milk and other dairy products are a fantastic | | | | supplementing their B12 levels with vitamins. |
| way to get protein for people who consider | | | | For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy |
| themselves to be lacto-ovo vegetarians. Vegans on | | | | milk, as they are fortified with calcium. You can add |
| the other hand, get their protein from nuts, seeds, and | | | | calcium to your diet from eating beans and leafy green |
| soy products. | | | | vegetables. Vegetarians, while relying on basic food |
| Lentils, pinto beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, black | | | | groups, should be certain to control their intake of |
| beans, and black-eyed peas are just some of the | | | | vitamins and calcium. Of course, doing this is imperative |
| many varieties of beans. Beans are very familiar and | | | | to living a healthy lifestyle by consuming healthy food. If |
| versatile. Chili is made with kidney beans, and Mexican | | | | you can put limits on what you eat, you will live healthy |
| cuisine often uses pinto beans (whole or refried) and | | | | for many years. |