What are vegetarians? The habit of eating only plant-based foods is known as vegetarianism. Some people become vegetarian because they are concerned about their health, while others do it for environmental or ethical reasons. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of vegetarianism and why you shouldn't ignore this growing population!

What are Vegetarians?

There are different types of vegetarians. Some people choose to not eat meat, poultry, or fish but will consume dairy and eggs. Those who practice this diet are known as Lacto-ovo vegetarians. Other vegetarians do not eat animal products at all and are therefore vegan. The reasons why someone might become a vegetarian are varied.

Health Benefits of Being a Vegetarian

The list of health benefits associated with vegetarianism is long and growing. Studies have shown that vegetarians tend to have lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. They also tend to have higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

So, if you're looking to improve your overall health, going vegetarian may be a good option for you. However, it's important to note that there are different types of vegetarians, and each type has its own set of benefits.

Vegetarianism Impacts on the Environment

Vegetarianism has several benefits to the environment and here are a few:-

Perhaps most notably, it reduces the need for animal husbandry, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Animal husbandry also requires large amounts of land, water, and other resources, so vegetarianism can help to preserve these resources.

In addition, vegetarian diets typically require less processing and packaging than diets that include meat, so they can help to reduce pollution and waste.

Being a vegetarian aid in lowering water pollution in our rivers, seas, and streams. Animal waste, which may pour into our waterways and degrade aquatic ecosystems, erode topsoil, and poison the air, is the main source of pollution from livestock farming.

Different Types of Vegetarians

Based on the dietary restrictions/ concerns, there are different types of vegetarians:

1. Lacto-vegetarians: are the most common types and do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, but they do consume dairy products.

2. Ovo-vegetarians: do not eat meat, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but they will consume eggs. 

3. Pesco-vegetarians: do not eat meat or poultry, but they will consume fish as well as dairy products and eggs.

4. Vegans: do not consume any animal products whatsoever including honey.

Based on environmental concerns and the belief of individuals, there are different types of vegetarians: Ethical vegetarians do not believe in killing animals for food or any other reason while environmental vegetarians are concerned about the huge impact that animal agriculture has on the environment.

Vegetarian Recipes

Here are some delicious Vegetarian Recipes for you to try out and maybe this will inspire a change in lifestyle and open your mind to the variety of flavor profiles this palette can have.

Vegetarian Porcini Mushroom Risotto

There is no better place to have a full and tasty vegetarian lunch. It is packed with flavor, and the mushrooms give it a satisfying texture.

Ingredients:

-one cup Arborio rice

-one ounce of dried porcini mushrooms

-four cups of vegetable broth

-one tablespoon of olive oil

-half an onion, diced

-two cloves of garlic, minced

-one tablespoon of truffle oil

-salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

- Soak the Porcini Mushrooms in two cups of boiling water for 20 minutes.

- In a large pot, heat the vegetable broth over low heat.

- Meanwhile, in a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. For approximately five minutes, add the onion and garlic and simmer until tender.

- Add the rice to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice is evenly coated with oil and beginning to turn translucent, about three minutes.

- Pour in the soaking liquid from the mushrooms, being careful to leave any grit behind. Add the mushrooms and simmer for five minutes or until they are soft.

- Add the broth, one cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more. After about 20 minutes, the risotto should be creamy and tender.

- Stir in the truffle oil and salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot. Enjoy!

Tomato Tart With Filo and Feta Cream

Ingredients:

- Tart Shells:

-12 sheets of filo dough,

- Thawed-¾ cup butter,

- Filling:-

- 16 cups of chopped tomatoes (about 12 pounds), peeled and seeded

-½ cup sugar

-¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

-¼ cup, chopped fresh basil

-¼ cup chopped fresh thyme

-Salt and pepper to taste

-Feta Cream:

-16 ounces feta cheese, crumbled-16 ounces cream cheese, softened

-½ cup sour cream

-¾ cup of milk

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

- Oven temperature set at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

- To make the tart shells, brush each filo sheet with some of the melted butter. Layer the sheets in the pan, brushing each one with butter.

- Trim any extra dough that hangs over the pan's edges. With a fork, prick the dough's bottom numerous times. Until golden brown, bake for 12 minutes.

- To make the tomato filling, combine the chopped tomatoes, sugar, parsley, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Stirring occasionally, cook for 30 minutes at low heat.

- To make the feta cream, combine the feta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.

- Spoon the tomato filling into the tart shells. Top with dollops of feta cream. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

There are many reasons to consider a vegetarian lifestyle. Whether it is for ethical, environmental, or health reasons, the benefits of vegetarianism are undeniable. And with delicious recipes like these, it's easy to see how enjoyable a meat-free diet can be. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. You can also learn about how olive oil is a great for cooking!