Fish and seafood is a source of high quality protein, and is low in fat and cholesterol. They are an excellent source of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Omega 3 fatty acids. There is now a lot of evidence that people who regularly include fish in their diet have a lower risk of unwanted weight gain. The Omega 3 fatty acids that Fish is rich off are a very important factor in the health benefits of a fish and seafood rich diet. Together with high quality vegetable oils health gains are impressive. So you better hit the tuna steak and reduce your intake of beef steak? Well not really as always its a matter of balance. And They are linked to a substantial decrease in the symptoms of inflammatory diseases like arthritis and colitis. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), they significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer. Better yet, rich Omega 3 foods like fish have been tightly linked to positive mood changes. So, fish can even be of therapeutic value in the treatment of a mild depression or the “winter blues”!

More good news, there is evidence of a lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease as well as a reduction in the probability of developing type 2 diabetic diseases. Of course there are still a lot of unanswered questions in this area, but Fish and Seafood are a major part of the Mediterranean Diet. People in the countries that are eating fish and using olive oil are known to have less cancer and heart problems than we have in America. It seems that Fish and seafood are very beneficial for pregnant women as well. The Omega 3 fatty acids seem to have a positive effect on fetal brain development and may reduce the risk of premature birth. There are positive effects on the growth and health of the fetus.

The benefits of eating fish and seafood are so obvious that the American Heart Association (AHA) has recommends that adults eat fish at least twice a week and if you have heart disease, the AHA recommends a diet that contains as many Omega 3 fatty acids as one “fatty fish” meal a day. So Fish is beneficial for the health of people with heart problems as well as it prevents getting those problems in the first place. We have a great selection of seafood recipes available on our website. Talking about great news for seafood lovers! And did you know that there are really zillions of ways to prepare a great seafood meal? With so much positive news about fish, one doesn’t get around the idea that there might be a catch. Well in a way there is. There are dangers in the form of heavy metals found in fish. An article about the dangers and some FDA guidelines on gaining and not losing your health can be found on our web.

Vegetarianism is the custom of not eating meat, including beef, poultry, fish, or their by-products, with or without the use of dairy products or eggs. But why would someone want to become a vegetarian? Simply you can he healthier happier lose wieght and avoid disease.

Step 1 – Decide why you want to become a vegetarian. There are as many reasons for becoming vegetarians as there are people out there. Whatever your reason is you need to clarify it. If you are one of those wanting to do it because it seems like a good idea or because your friends are doing it then you need to read and listen to as much information as possible on the subject of vegetarianism(is that a word?) in order to get a more substantial reason for continuity. So, no matter what your reason may be, for the most part the underlying reason behind most people becoming vegetarians is a desire for better health. Most health practitioners would agree that a vegetarian lifestyle is a healthier lifestyle.

Step 2 – Now you know the reason you want to become a vegetarian. Decide what type of vegetarian you are going to be. This is not going to be set in stone. You can make different choices as your learn and grow on this journey. Let’s discuss different types of vegetarians. The basic vegetarian eating plan is one that consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and grains. There are also as many variations of the major types as there are people because it’s an individual decision. You are the one who has to decide what goes in and out of your mouth. That said, let’s move on. The major types of vegetarians are the ovo-lacto vegetarians, pescatarians, lacto-vegetarians, vegans, ovo-vegetarians, raw vegans.

Ovo-lacto vegetarians – Vegetarians who include diary products and eggs in their eating plan.
Pescatarians – Pescatarians include fish.
Lacto-vegetarians – Vegetarians who include dairy products in their eating plan.
Vegans – Eat only plant based foods, no animal products or by-products.
Ovo-vegetarians – Eat eggs.
Raw vegans – Eat only raw plant based foods. Raw, meaning foods that are prepared at no higher than 115-120 degrees.

Step 3 – You’ve figured out what type you’d like to begin your vegetarian journey with, now you need to begin to eliminate the unwanted items in your eating plan and include more of the fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Some people go cold turkey and eliminate all the unwanted stuff right away. Others eliminate an item at a time. Again the choice is yours. If you’ve only associated being a vegetarian with eating big bowls of salad and nothing else, welcome to an exciting journey. Those times have long past and a vegetarian lifestyle is filled with delicious and mouth watering eats and the salads have come a long way. The only boundary is your imagination. Now you start to have fun.

Step 4 – Create a menu plan based centered around your new eating choices. Do internet searches for vegetarians menu plans, check out library books on vegetarian cooking, experiment with different types of vegetables. Try out a few that appeal to you. Take your favorite vegetable and start looking for different ways to prepare it. Don’t be afraid to try a combination you’ve never tasted before, you might be pleasantly surprised at the taste.

Step 5 – Never stop learning. The key to sticking with any decision is to keep yourself informed. The more you read and listen to materials on the health benefits of different foods and the vegetarian lifestyle, the more motivated you are to stick with it especially in the beginning stages. I find that if some time goes by without me reading or listening to something health related I begin to long for foods that I once enjoyed but have decided to eliminate from my eating plan.

Step 6 – Be easy on yourself and those around you. Eating an occasional piece of ‘whatever’ amidst an otherwise healthy eating plan is okay. Don’t allow anyone to make you feel guilty for occasionally indulging. Go easy on those around you who have not yet made the decision to transition to a vegetarian eating plan. By your example they will be encouraged to take baby steps. Let them notice the weight loss, the increased energy, clearer skin and all the benefits that go with the vegetarian lifestyle. Answer their questions with a non-condemning or self-righteous attitude and share from time to time snippets from articles you read or audios you listen to. Don’t bombard them just be open to their questions and occasionally share what you are learning.