Tuesday Tidbit: World Vegetarian Day
Betcha didn’t know that October 1 is World Vegetarian Day 2010, and that the event kicks off the Annual Vegetarian Awareness Month?! True true . . . and isn’t veg awareness so much more fun to celebrate than that other awareness month that occurs every October (<shudder>)? For those of us who’re not vegetarians, let’s celebrate by going veg at least once per week in October . . . or maybe try for the entire month?
Why? Compared to the general population, the typical vegetarian has a lower body mass index, lower cholesterol, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and reduced risk of coronary artery disease. One reason: a vegetarian diet boosts your intake of phytochemicals. These are compounds found in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as the lutein in broccoli and the lycopene in tomatoes. Phytochemicals are powerful antioxidants and may help protect against cancer. Reluctant to go all the way? You don’t need to be a vegetarian 24/7 in order to to reap benefits. Going meatless one or two days a week can reduce your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol and fill your body plenty of beneficial plant-based nutrients.
C’mon . . . you can do it – just one day? Click here for some tasty veg recipes on Semi-Sweet to get you started.
© 2010, Sarah. All rights reserved.
