An ever-growing popular food trend is eating vegetarian or vegan food because of the increasing rise in people who are becoming vegetarians or vegans.  People become vegetarians or vegans for many reasons, whether because they are animal lovers, weight control, a healthy body and lifestyle, or religious reasons.  Many of these vegetarian restaurants are popping up across the country, and some are vegan restaurants.  Other restaurants are making small steps by only adding vegetarian plates to their regular menus.

Whatever the reasons for preferring to eat “green,” vegetarian food is much healthier and more ethical than eating meat.  The food pyramid divides the major food groups into six sections.  It lists vegetables and fruits to be high in fiber.  But the most nutritious vegetables and fruits are cantaloupe, tomatoes, oranges, berries, and squash.  It recommends three to five servings of vegetables and two to four servings of fruit per day in order for people to get their daily fiber.  For more fiber, try to eat six to eleven servings of whole grains, such as whole wheat, barley, oats, quinoa, bulgur wheat, and wild rice.  Two to three servings of protein and iron are needed from such food as beans, peas, lentils, tofu, and nuts.  To get the right amount of calcium intake, two to three servings of nonfat or low fat dairy should be consumed.  But a minimum amount of fats, oils and sweets, such as potato chips, candy bars and butter, should be eaten because these food have very high calories and not very nutritious.

Furthermore, buy organic vegetations because they do not have dangerous chemicals such as pesticides.  They can be found at flea markets as well as some grocery stores.  It is much healthier to eat vegetarian or vegan food because the body will be slimmer and lighter as well as the person will have more energy.  Eating vegetarian or vegan food cleanses the body of toxic wastes, giving the person a clear and alert mind, body, and soul.  When less meat is eaten, more emphasis can be made on protecting the wildlife and farm animals so they can have a healthier, more humane and ethical life.

Also, buy products that do not test on animals.  PETA, ASPCA, and USHS can provide you a list of all the companies that do not test on animals.  Faux fur is NOT fake fur.  It is cats and dogs skinned alive in China to create the so-called faux fur.

Therefore, eating green means eating healthy and smart.  People are not only going to have a healthy and strong mind, body, and soul, inside the body as well as on outside of the body, but they will also be helping many animals in the process.