Vegetarians eat more unhealthy foods than non-vegetarians

Vegetarian food has always been considered healthy and environmentally friendly, but a new research has challenged this notion. A study conducted in Britain has revealed that vegetarian people eat more ultra-processed food than non-vegetarian eaters.

The title of this study published in The Lancet is ‘ Plant-Based Dietary Patterns and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption In this, the diet of 2 lakh people was analyzed. The research found that vegetarians ate about 1.3% more ultra-processed foods than non-vegan eaters. Vegetarians eat 1.2% more processed foods than red meat eaters.

Researchers say that in the industrialized world, a vegetarian diet does not just mean fresh fruits and vegetables. People who abstain from meat often turn to processed alternatives such as ready meals, meat substitutes, and convenient snacks. These foods are rich in calories, saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives.

Research warned Is That excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods can lead to many health problems. Previous studies have found that excessive consumption of these foods may increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, and cardiometabolic problems. The researchers emphasized that when moving towards a plant-based diet, it is important that we consume as little processed food as possible. The study says that along with adopting a sustainable diet, it is also very important to encourage minimally processed food. This research has forced people to think that vegetarian food is not just an option, but it is important to make it balanced and nutritious.