To Beet or Not to Beet
-10/24/17
Pros and Cons
This is the third checkup post (fourth officially) that will be summing up my progress for the week. With the increased homework I was given in some of my classes I still managed to take some time to research on my topic. Fun fact: World Vegetarian Day was on Sunday, October 1. It already passed but I thought that it would be interesting to include. Anyways, the three questions have been successfully answered with specification and detail.
1) What did you accomplish this week?
My plan for this week (as stated on previous post) was to research and list the pros and cons of being a vegetarian because it is good to know what I will be getting out of this project. From the information I have accumulated so far, here is a list:
Pros of being a vegetarian are...
-Better weight control
This is usually the result of eating more low-calorie foods such as vegetables, fruits and beans. Food such as fatty meats, butter, and full-fat cheese have a higher calorie amount and, if eaten often, can lead to obesity but, since I will be going vegetarian I can avoid this and gain a better control of my weight.
-Protection from several diseases
Reduction of foods that are high in fat will lower your chances of being affected by coronary artery problems which contribute to the many deaths by health in America. Because vegetarian foods are rich in fiber and antioxidants and have low amounts of cholesterol and fats it can protect the body from diseases like cancer, chronic fatigue, cholesterol problems and diabetes.
-Development of strong bones
If your body doesn't have a sufficient amount of calcium in the body, your blood will extract it from the bloodstream. This results in your bones becoming porous and brittle. But if you are vegetarian, foods like tofu, soybeans, kale, broccoli, collards, turnip greens, other dark green vegetables, and of course, milk products are easily accessible and rich in calcium. Foods that are rich in calcium can also provide nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, antioxidants, and vitamins. Since I am still growing I think that the increase in calcium will be extremely beneficial for the further development of my bones.
Cons of being a vegetarian...
-Possible nutrient deficiencies
If I can create a well-planned vegetarian diet, I may not run into this problem. Meat provides a major source of proteins and vitamin B-12. It is possible to find supplements for them but we cannot always depend on these to cover the amount needed. Therefore, I have found some foods that has the right nutrients to replace meat. Vitamin B-12 can only be found in animal-based foods so instead of eating meat you can eat dairy products and eggs. For protein, certain beans can provide enough protein if you eat them regularly.
-Sticking to a strict diet
Some people have a hard time sticking to the vegetarian diet and start slacking off by sneaking in unhealthy foods into their diet. But the whole point of a vegetarian diet is to lead a healthier lifestyle. Also, if you are dining out you may have a hard time choosing what to eat since not all restaurants have vegetarian options.
-Lack of omega-3 fatty acids
We get omega-3 fatty acids from fish which is not included in the vegetarian diet. DHA, a type of omega-3, is a structural component of the brain and the retina of the eye. If an insufficient amount of DHA is consumed, it can lead to vision problems. Omega-3 also reduces fat in the liver and it can improve bone and joint health. Omega-3 actually has tons more of health benefits but the bottom line is that vegetarians might not get enough of it. You can also just eat supplements, like fish oil, that contain omega-3.
There are many debates regarding if vegetarian is an ideal way to eat but I think that by doing this project I can come up with the most accurate answer according to my experience. After researching the pros and cons of being a vegetarian, I realized that it is not as straight forward as I thought. There are many variations of the vegetarian diet. The one that I am primarily researching on and will be trying out is called lacto-ovo-vegetarianism which means that I am allowed to eat dairy products and eggs but not allowed to eat meat. It is the most common vegetarian diet and the one that most people try because it is not as strict as going vegan and is still healthy.
2) What are you working on right now?
Right now, I am finishing up my research for the week and documenting it on this post. The past week while researching the pros and cons of vegetarianism, I came across many sites that are contradictory to the site before. This is a problem for my research because I want to get the best answers so I can get the best results. I figured that I can't always count on what the site says and that I should make an answer for myself while going through the experience. Researching about vegetarianism has helped me get a better idea of how the body works. I hope that with this information I can plan ahead and not be short of any nutrients during the thirty days. As of now, I will be continuing my research.
3) What do you plan to do next week?
Seeing as I am going vegetarian in March of 2018, I don't have much to do except research. Next week, I hope to find out the origins of vegetarianism and why people did it. I understand that it was done mostly for religious reasons back in the day but I would like to dive deeper into the history of vegetarianism. I think that I shouldn't just research the scientific and health aspects of it. By the end of the year, I hope that I will be able to tell anyone about anything related to vegetarianism.
4) Photos
The picture on the left is of me stretching on Wednesday. I often stretch at home to make sure my muscles don't tighten up for dance. It is also a good exercise routine to keep your body in a good shape. If you are to exercise, make sure you get enough water to stay hydrated. While going vegetarian, I imagine having a good balance between food and exercise to create the perfect healthy lifestyle.
Pros and Cons
This is the third checkup post (fourth officially) that will be summing up my progress for the week. With the increased homework I was given in some of my classes I still managed to take some time to research on my topic. Fun fact: World Vegetarian Day was on Sunday, October 1. It already passed but I thought that it would be interesting to include. Anyways, the three questions have been successfully answered with specification and detail.
1) What did you accomplish this week?
My plan for this week (as stated on previous post) was to research and list the pros and cons of being a vegetarian because it is good to know what I will be getting out of this project. From the information I have accumulated so far, here is a list:
Pros of being a vegetarian are...
-Better weight control
This is usually the result of eating more low-calorie foods such as vegetables, fruits and beans. Food such as fatty meats, butter, and full-fat cheese have a higher calorie amount and, if eaten often, can lead to obesity but, since I will be going vegetarian I can avoid this and gain a better control of my weight.
-Protection from several diseases
Reduction of foods that are high in fat will lower your chances of being affected by coronary artery problems which contribute to the many deaths by health in America. Because vegetarian foods are rich in fiber and antioxidants and have low amounts of cholesterol and fats it can protect the body from diseases like cancer, chronic fatigue, cholesterol problems and diabetes.
-Development of strong bones
If your body doesn't have a sufficient amount of calcium in the body, your blood will extract it from the bloodstream. This results in your bones becoming porous and brittle. But if you are vegetarian, foods like tofu, soybeans, kale, broccoli, collards, turnip greens, other dark green vegetables, and of course, milk products are easily accessible and rich in calcium. Foods that are rich in calcium can also provide nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, antioxidants, and vitamins. Since I am still growing I think that the increase in calcium will be extremely beneficial for the further development of my bones.
Cons of being a vegetarian...
-Possible nutrient deficiencies
If I can create a well-planned vegetarian diet, I may not run into this problem. Meat provides a major source of proteins and vitamin B-12. It is possible to find supplements for them but we cannot always depend on these to cover the amount needed. Therefore, I have found some foods that has the right nutrients to replace meat. Vitamin B-12 can only be found in animal-based foods so instead of eating meat you can eat dairy products and eggs. For protein, certain beans can provide enough protein if you eat them regularly.
-Sticking to a strict diet
Some people have a hard time sticking to the vegetarian diet and start slacking off by sneaking in unhealthy foods into their diet. But the whole point of a vegetarian diet is to lead a healthier lifestyle. Also, if you are dining out you may have a hard time choosing what to eat since not all restaurants have vegetarian options.
-Lack of omega-3 fatty acids
We get omega-3 fatty acids from fish which is not included in the vegetarian diet. DHA, a type of omega-3, is a structural component of the brain and the retina of the eye. If an insufficient amount of DHA is consumed, it can lead to vision problems. Omega-3 also reduces fat in the liver and it can improve bone and joint health. Omega-3 actually has tons more of health benefits but the bottom line is that vegetarians might not get enough of it. You can also just eat supplements, like fish oil, that contain omega-3.
There are many debates regarding if vegetarian is an ideal way to eat but I think that by doing this project I can come up with the most accurate answer according to my experience. After researching the pros and cons of being a vegetarian, I realized that it is not as straight forward as I thought. There are many variations of the vegetarian diet. The one that I am primarily researching on and will be trying out is called lacto-ovo-vegetarianism which means that I am allowed to eat dairy products and eggs but not allowed to eat meat. It is the most common vegetarian diet and the one that most people try because it is not as strict as going vegan and is still healthy.
2) What are you working on right now?
Right now, I am finishing up my research for the week and documenting it on this post. The past week while researching the pros and cons of vegetarianism, I came across many sites that are contradictory to the site before. This is a problem for my research because I want to get the best answers so I can get the best results. I figured that I can't always count on what the site says and that I should make an answer for myself while going through the experience. Researching about vegetarianism has helped me get a better idea of how the body works. I hope that with this information I can plan ahead and not be short of any nutrients during the thirty days. As of now, I will be continuing my research.
3) What do you plan to do next week?
Seeing as I am going vegetarian in March of 2018, I don't have much to do except research. Next week, I hope to find out the origins of vegetarianism and why people did it. I understand that it was done mostly for religious reasons back in the day but I would like to dive deeper into the history of vegetarianism. I think that I shouldn't just research the scientific and health aspects of it. By the end of the year, I hope that I will be able to tell anyone about anything related to vegetarianism.
4) PhotosThe picture on the left is of me stretching on Wednesday. I often stretch at home to make sure my muscles don't tighten up for dance. It is also a good exercise routine to keep your body in a good shape. If you are to exercise, make sure you get enough water to stay hydrated. While going vegetarian, I imagine having a good balance between food and exercise to create the perfect healthy lifestyle.
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