Vegetarians Unite
Many have heard the phrase “eat your veggies” when they were kids, and some people have turned this into a lifestyle.
There are 1.5 billion vegetarians in the world that are accustomed to a diet without meat, and since 1977, the North American Vegetarian Society has dubbed Oct. 1 World Vegetarian Day and the month of October Vegetarian Awareness Month, in an effort to raise awareness about the benefits of a vegetarian diet to the body and the planet.
Being vegetarian has many positive outcomes for personal health. Consuming vegetables helps retain the necessary nutrient levels recommended in a diet, and also helps reduce the risks of getting a cardiovascular disease.
With vegetarian and vegan lifestyle choices becoming more mainstream, we are fortunate to have a variety of fresh produce available to us year-round as well as delicious restaurant offerings that give veggie-centric dishes a great deal of flavor and love.
The environmental effects of a vegetarian diet are also worth noting, as harvesting fruits, vegetables and grains is much easier on our planet and lowers gas emissions and use of agricultural land.
Nowadays, it is very easy to convert to a meatless diet with the vast amount of food options available in the U.S. During this month, we encourage you to try different and delicious vegetarian dishes and find what options you like best.