Vegetarian nutrition is a type of nutrition that includes an emphasis on plant-based foods with no meat or animal products. A vegetarian diet has many health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and decreased risk of heart disease. Many people believe that being a vegetarian is unhealthy because it excludes food groups that are rich in certain nutrients. However, there are plenty of ways to get these nutrients without eating meat.

Vegetarian diets typically have a lower calorie count than those that include meat products. As a result, vegetarians tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI) and are less likely to suffer from obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Vegetarians also appear to have better blood sugar control, which may mean lower incidences of type 2 diabetes. Vegans, who don’t eat any animal products, tend to have the lowest BMI among vegetarians.

Vegetarians get plenty of protein from foods such as grains, beans and legumes, soy foods, nuts and seeds. Many dairy products are also high in protein. Vegans can meet their protein needs by eating grains, legumes and soy products.

People need to eat a variety of foods to ensure that they get all of the nutrients they need. For example, vegetarians who are deficient in B-12 may develop fatigue or anemia. Similarly, vegans sometimes lack enough iodine or iron in their diets if they’re not careful. If you’re vegetarian, be sure to talk to your doctor about ways to ensure that you get all the nutrients you need.

The health effects of a vegetarian diet depend on many factors, including the composition of the food being eaten and how it is prepared. For example, frying foods can make them harder to digest. It’s also important to ensure that you eat enough vegetables, as they are nutrient-dense and can help fill you up without adding a lot of calories to your diet. If you’re planning on going vegetarian, talk to a doctor or nutritionist about how it may affect your health.