January 30, 2013
Varied diet is the key to looking after your heart
The risk of hospitalisation or death from heart disease is
32 per cent lower in vegetarians than in people who eat meat,
researchers have claimed.
In an analysis of almost 45,000 people, vegetarians were found
to have lower blood pressure and
cholesterol levels than meat eaters,
which is thought to be the main reason behind their reduced risk of
heart disease.
Choosing the veggie option is not a shortcut to a healthy heart
Our
Heart Health Dietitian, Tracy Parker, said: “This research
reminds us that we should try to eat a
balanced and varied
diet – whether this includes meat or not.
“Vegetarians were shown to eat more fruit,
vegetables, whole grains and cheese than meat eaters. Eating less
meat also leaves room for other nutritious protein-rich
food, such as fish, pulses, nuts and eggs.
“But remember, choosing the veggie option
on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart.
After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians
that are high in saturated fat and
salt.
“If you’re thinking of switching to a
vegetarian diet, make sure you plan your meals carefully so that
you replace any lost vitamins and minerals, such
as iron, that you would normally get from meat.”
This research was published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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