Some countries eat so much meat they practically have beef brisket running through their veins. But somewhere out there, a whole nation said, “Nah, we’re good with lentils, thanks.”
Grab your thinking cap (preferably one made of kale) — this one’s trickier than a tofu meatball at a Texas BBQ.
What people eat influences multiple aspects of their well-being. Not eating meat is a popular dietary choice and may offer several health benefits. However, researchers are still seeking to understand the potential risks of following a vegetarian diet.
A recent study in the UK examined the risk for hip fractures among people who ate meat, pescatarians, and vegetarians. Researchers chose to combine the vegan and vegetarian groups because only a few participants were vegan. Researchers accounted for many confounders, including the participants’ sex, ethnicity, regular use of nutritional supplements, activity level, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. They then looked at the associated risk for hip fractures among these different nutrition groups.
The findings indicated that people who followed a vegetarian diet were at a 50% higher risk of experiencing a hip fracture compared to meat-eater groups and pescatarians.“Vegetarians can speak with their doctor or registered dietitian to ensure that they’re eating a balanced diet and meeting their nutrient requirements. Having a varied diet with plenty of plant protein like beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds, as well as dietary or supplementary sources of iron, B12, and vitamin D can help support having an optimum nutrition intake and for bone health.” — Dr. Emily Leeming
There are a variety of ways to consume protein from both animal and plant-based foods. Animal protein contains the most protein, says Kayla Kopp, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic’sCenter for Human Nutrition. “One ounce of animal protein has about seven grams of protein,” she says. “If you are vegetarian or vegan, it is more difficult to get enough protein – but it is possible through a consumption of plant sources.”
Good plant-based sources of protein include:
