Vegetarian-ism

Does vegetarians know what food gives them the particular nutrients they need?

Does vegetarians know how to eat healthy?

Well i was reading through the papers (Credits to ST: MIND your BODY) this morning and this particular few pages caught my attention immediately and kept me reading on. I was certainly interested in this as my mom is a vegetarian herself and i am of course, concerned if she is taking in sufficient nutrients, what not.
Then as i was reading, it got me a little worried because being a vegetarian may not have a very healthy diet.

Many vegetarians may have negligence towards the deficiencies in certain nutrients. Which could actually lead to many serious illnesses in the long run.

Iron
Iron from plants aint as well absorbed therefore, this can lead to anaemia.
This can help! - Green leafy vegetables, figs, peas and broccoli

Calcium
Bones tend to get brittle over time if the body recieves insufficient calcium.
This can help! - Calcium-enriched beancurd aka tofu, broccoli, seeds, nuts, kale, bok choy and legumes

Protein
Plants lack certain essential amino acids, which are the key building blocks for the body.
This can help! - Legumes, soya, nuts, beans, seeds and substistute meat products

Vitamin B12 Most plant food lacks of vitamin B12 which is greatly needed for metabolic processes. Insufficient vitamin B12 may increase one's risk of dementia.
This can help! - Nutritional supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids
Helps to reduce the risk of heart problems and cholesterol levels.
This can help! - Walnuts, canola and soya

Vegetarians with kidney problems, should watch his/her potassium intake as leafy green vegetables and fruits like bananas and durians are high in potassium, as told by Dr Tan Seng Hoe from Gleneagles Medical Centre.

A damaged kidney is unable to regulate potassium levels and high levels can lead to irregular heartbeat.

Well, an alternative for kidney patients are to soak their vegetables for a few hours before cooking so as to reduce their potassiun levels. As for those who prefer to eat raw vegetables, seeds and fruit, be very careful of unhygenic food preparation and the risk of food poisoning, warned by nutritionists.

Many people may be wondering what is vegetarian? How come i heard of fruitarian, lacto-ovo etc.

Well.....

Omnivore
Eats both plants and aminal-based food. That is what most people are doing, with a high number still having a high-meat, high-fat diet.

Lacto-ovo- vegetarian
Eats eggs and diary products in addition to plant-based food, but no meant, poultry and fish.

Lacto-vegetarian
Eats diary products in addition to plant-based food, but no meat poultry, eggs and fish.

Vegan
Eats only plant-based food. No meat, poultry, fish, eggs and diary products.

Fruitarian
A vegan diet but with only fruit, nuts and seeds.

Raw food eater
Usually vegetarian diet with uncooked food or food not heated beyond a certain temperature. Food such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains and beans; more rarely pasteurished dairy products and even raw meat and fish may be eaten.


RAW FOOD EATER ------> WEIRD. urghh.