Vegetarian Diets
Vegetarian Diets Vegetarian Diet Vegetarianism has evolved over the centuries from a necessity into an option. Approximately, 2,5% of adults in the U.S and 4% of adults in Canada follow a vegetarian diet. Additionally, 20 to 25% of Americans report that they eat at least 4 meatless meals a week. Most people choose vegetarian diets for religious, philosophical, ecological, or health-related reasons. Others adopt vegetarian practices because they are concerned about the economic and ecological impact of eating meat-based diets. They recognize that meat is not an efficient way of obtaining protein because it requires the use of approximately 40% of the world's grain production to raise meat-producing animals. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains frequently result in increased intakes of antioxidants nutrients (e.g., vitamins C and E and carotenoids), dietary fiber, and healthful phytochemicals and decreased intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol. Vegetarianis...