About Healthy Vegetarian Grocery Lists
With meat free alternatives now readily available in most supermarkets, shopping for a varied and healthy vegetarian diet is easier than ever before. As long as the correct food groups are consumed in sensible quantities, the vegetarian diet can meet all the nutritional requirements recommended by nutritionists. When devising your vegetarian grocery lists, ensure you select a wide range of products from all the major food groups In order to maintain a balanced diet.
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Protien
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Protein is key to the healthy vegetarian diet. Many meat free foods contain the high levels of protein your body needs in order to function. The recommended daily protein intake is 46 g for women and 56 g for men. Compile your grocery list to include protein rich vegetarian foods like tofu, eggs, nuts and beans. No more than five servings of high protein foods should be consumed each day.
Good Fats
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To stay healthy and nourished, the body requires a certain amount of healthy fats to be consumed. Foods containing these good fats should be included on your vegetarian grocery list. Olive oil, peanut butter and avocados are all great sources of good fats. Foods high in saturated fats such as cookies and butter, should be eaten sparingly as a treat and not as part of your daily diet.
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Fruits and Vegetables
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Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Foods such as apples, carrot sticks and celery are great for snacking on and will help you to avoid craving high sugar snacks. When shopping for your vegetarian groceries, It is important to remember that certain fruits, for example oranges, are high in natural sugars and should be consumed in moderation.
Carbohydrates
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As in all healthy diets complex carbohydrates like white rice and pasta, breads and sugar should be kept to a minimum. However, healthier sources of carbohydrate such as brown rice, root vegetables and pulses can be included in your vegetarian grocery list. You can substitute high-fat snacks with low-fat alternatives. For example, tortilla chips are lower in calories than standard potato chips. You should check the ingredients of treats such as chips as some flavors contain meat extracts.
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References
Resources
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