I'll have to say that the notion that Vegetarianism or Veganism is healthier is a misnomer. I have known plenty of fat vegan or vegetarian people.
Part-Time Vegetarians
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It's important to remember, as well, that it's possible to be vegetarian and unhealthy. "If you fry tempeh and fry tofu, and eat baked goods, you're going to be less healthy," says registered dietitian Mary Russell, director of nutrition services at the University of Chicago. But a diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, done properly, should help protect the heart and lower blood pressure, she says.
Many former vegetarians turn to fish or meat because they feel they need more protein. Katie Petersen, 25, a personal trainer, became a vegetarian when she was 14, largely because she didn't like the texture of meat or the way it made her feel. But about two years ago, she started adding tuna and salmon to her diet. She participates in "figure" competitions, a type of lightweight bodybuilding, and felt she wasn't getting enough protein from veggie burgers.
Sometimes people start adding a little fish or meat to their diets because the entrée their friend or roommate is cooking in the kitchen simply smells too good to resist. Katelin Domanski, 21, a senior at Northwestern University, gave up meat completely when she was 13—after she had some pieces of chicken with "blood veins" in them, she says. But just this month, she started eating a bit of chicken prepared by her gourmet roommate. Domanski also thinks it may be easier, when she graduates in June, to be flexible about her diet when she is in the workplace. "You don't want to be the person at the business dinner who only eats salad," she says.
Of course, if vegetarians and gourmets like Mark Bittman have their way, most restaurants will someday offer enough meatless entrees to satisfy vegetarians whether they're part-time or 100 percent committed. The good news is, the days of veggie lovers being confined to the 'tofu surprise' are over.
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