A vegetarian diet is a plant-based diet that eliminates meat, poultry, and seafood, but may include dairy products and eggs. Here’s how to create a vegetarian diet:
- Vegetables – Include a variety of colorful vegetables in your diet such as leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes. You can eat them raw in salads or cooked in soups, stews, or roasted with herbs and spices.
- Fruits – Eat fresh fruits as a dessert or snack, such as bananas, apples, oranges, berries, and melons. You can also have them as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt.
- Whole grains – Include whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain bread in your diet. You can have them as a side dish or in salads.
- Legumes – Eat a variety of legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and soybeans. You can have them as a main dish or in soups and salads.
- Dairy products – If you include dairy products in your diet, use low-fat options such as skim milk, yogurt, and cheese. You can also use plant-based milk and yogurt alternatives such as almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Eggs – If you include eggs in your diet, use them in dishes such as omelets or scrambled eggs.
- Nuts and seeds – Include nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds in your diet. You can have them as a snack or use them as a topping for salads or oatmeal.
- Healthy fats – Use plant-based oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil for cooking and salads.
- Herbs and spices – Use herbs and spices such as garlic, basil, oregano, rosemary, and turmeric to add flavor to your meals.
The vegetarian diet is a way of eating that eliminates meat, poultry, and seafood but may include dairy products and eggs. It is important to ensure that you are meeting your nutritional needs by consuming a variety of foods and potentially taking supplements as necessary.
