Avoiding meat is one of the easiest ways to cut down your fat consumption and start a healthier lifestyle overall. Fruits and vegetables contain a vast amount of vitamins and minerals that are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle while meat, although delicious and packed with protein, has several negative characteristics that can cause health problems.
Cons of Meat-filled Diets
- Some animals are given artificial chemicals and drugs to keep them healthy while in living in poor conditions. These can be passed on to you when you eat animal later.
- Meat takes longer to pass through the intestines and colon.
- High fat content.
- High meat consumption can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Eating processed meats has been linked to the increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
As terrifying as these facts are, and as difficult as giving up your favorite meats might be, there are plenty of vegetable protein products (like tempeh) that make it deliciously easy for people to start a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
- Studies have shown that vegetarians who eat a well-balanced diet have a lowered rate of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, and obesity.
- A vegetarian diet tends to be lower in total fat and saturated fat.
- According to the World Cancer Research Fund, by eating a predominantly plant-based diet you lower your risk of developing many types of cancer.
Starting a vegetarian lifestyle may seem impossible, but with veggie protein products you can still make your favorite meals. You won’t even notice the meat is gone! Here is a recipe to get you on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Pesto Pizza with Vegetarian Italian Sausages and Artichokes
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg (12oz) Vegetarian Italian Sausages
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (11-inch) pre-baked thin pizza crust
- 3/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 can (14oz) artichoke hearts, drained, cut into quarters
- 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
- 1 cup prepared basil pesto
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausages; cook 6-8 minutes or until browned. Cut into 1/2-inch rounds.
- Place pizza crust on baking sheet and spread with tomato sauce, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Scatter sausage and artichokes on top; sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake 12-14 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
- Dot with pesto; bake 2 minutes more.
- Cut into 8 wedges.
Cooking Tips:
- For big pesto lovers, try using it for the base instead of tomato sauce.
- Use non-dairy mozzarella to make the pizza vegan.
- Add your favorite vegetables as toppings – bell peppers are always a hit.
This recipe is from Lightlife®, a company that creates delicious vegetarian and vegan products that even meat-eaters enjoy. Lightlife also contributes 5% of their profits to causes that work to protect children, the environment, and human rights. Visit Lightlife to find veggie goodness for you and the planet!