It's National Vegetarian Week!

Did you know that it is National Vegetarian week

Monday 23rd - Sunday 29th May?

You don't need to be a veggie to enjoy vegetarian food, but you do need to love flavoursome food. A balanced vegetarian diet is one of the healthiest diets around and in the current financial climate, can also be more economical. Many people choose to be vegetarian for ethical reasons and sustainability.

Research shows that a varied vegetarian diet can contain less saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and more fibre, antioxidants, phytochemicals, folate and carotenoids. A balanced vegetarian diet is likely to exceed the recommended intake of 5-a-Day fruit and vegetables which is linked to lower rates of colon and some other cancers. A vegetarian diet is sometimes recommended for people with chronic conditions such as arthritis and kidney problems.

A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy option but it is important to ensure it is well balanced. You could stuff your face with chips and chocolate at every meal and be vegetarian but you wouldn’t be doing your health much good.

A balanced vegetarian diet should include:

• Grains and cereals: Wholegrain bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, muesli.
• Legumes, nuts and seeds: Soya beans. kidney beans, split peas, lentils, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds
• Fruit and vegetables: As much as you want - think variety. Try new fruits and vegetables and include them in your diet every day
• Dairy or soya products: Look out for fat free and reduced calorie options for milk, yoghurts, cheeses.

If you don't want to become Vegetarian, why not give it a try just for the week? Try subsituting meat products with vegetariuan alternatives - I love quorn chunks in a homemade curry! You may find you have more energy, feel more healthy and maybe even lose a little bit of weight!