An Apple a Day

We’ve all heard the phrase, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well, the benefits of eating more than just one apple go far beyond simply, “keeping the doctor away.” Health specialists are finding more reasons all the time about how increasing fruits and vegetables, and reducing your meat intake can benefit you. For example, the journal, “Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet,” evaluated the statistics of a balanced vegetarian diet, and came to the conclusion that vegetarians typically have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and a lower cholesterol concentration.

There are also specific health issues that a vegetarian diet can help prevent. The AND’s journal about vegetarian diets, the results showed that vegetarian diets have “shown to be healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.”  One section of the article shows that vegetarians are lower in obesity, diabetes, and cancer rates. A vegetarian diet can lower risk for many other diseases as well, some of which we’ve heard of, like Heart Disease, Hypertension and Dementia.

Based on the health benefits, many people see the value of vegetarian diets; yet they believe that the diet would be too difficult to stick to. A vegetarian diet is broadly defined as not eating meat, poultry, fish, or products with animal products in them like chicken or beef stocks. However, there are multiple varieties of vegetarian diets: vegan is the most intense diet, only eating plant-based foods without exception. Vegetarians, or semi-vegetarians, often eat one or a combination of food groups that vegans do not. These include dairy, eggs, fish, or chicken. Because of these different options, being a vegetarian can be much easier than most people assume.

TOPIC RECIPE: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

This recipe has a lot of nutritious value, but is sweet and warm, and vegetarian. It's also very good for the cold holiday season!