27 February 2019
When you think about an artery-clogging diet, what comes to mind? You may picture a greasy hamburger with cheese dripping out the sides or maybe fried bacon sizzling in a pan? So, as a vegetarian, you’ve got nothing to worry about...right? Wrong. Although a vegetarian diet tends to be more protective against heart disease compared to a traditional Western diet, some risk factors for heart disease are increased. (1) So, as a vegetarian, it’s still essential to consider your heart health.
Let’s explore a few ways to show your heart some love this year.
1. Monitor homocysteine levels – Homocysteine is an amino acid found in your blood stream that increases the risk of heart disease by increasing artery damage. (2) Low levels of vitamin B12 often result in increased levels of homocysteine. The best sources of vitamin B12 include meat and dairy products, so B12 deficiency is common among vegetarians, especially vegans. If you don’t consume dairy, eggs or meat, you’ll need foods that are fortified with B12 or a regular vitamin B12 dietary supplement.
2. Ensure adequate omega-3 intake – Long chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been found to support heart health, yet vegetarian diets typically provide little or no EPA and DHA. (3) Long chain omega-3s support the heart’s agility to pump blood, as well as increase HDL (‘good’) cholesterol. Ensure that you are getting enough by consuming omega-3 enriched eggs (if you are an ovo vegetarian), sea vegetables, foods fortified with vegetarian life'sOMEGA or DHA omega-3 supplements that are made from microalgae – the life’sDHA brand.
3. Limit your intake of treat foods – Just because you don’t eat meat, doesn’t mean that you don’t consume one of the biggest causes of heart disease: junk foods. (4) Potato chips, biscuits, potato cakes, greasy noodles, croissants and doughnuts are packed with bad saturated fat, sugar and salt that can be very tempting when there’s little meat-free options around, and can still increase your risk of having a heart attack. Don’t use your meat-free diet as an excuse to eat more junk. Ensure that you are always prepared with nutritious, heart healthy meals and snacks, such as fresh fruit, veggie sticks, edamame beans or wholegrain crackers.
4. Eat a handful of nuts each day – A study of more than 30,000 Seventh Day Adventists found that those who ate a handful of nuts at least five days each week had almost half the risk of having a heart attack compared to people who consumed nuts less than once each week. (5) Nuts are rich in good unsaturated fats, fiber, arginine and antioxidants. Try sprinkling them over your breakfast cereal, adding them to a salad, or just enjoying a handful as an afternoon snack.
Don’t stress about how to nourish your heart if you’re a vegetarian. There are numerous heart healthy ways to love your heart and feed it the nutrients it needs for optimal health. Try these Omega-3 Breakfast Cookies for starters!
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If you’re a parent, September can be hectic as summer winds down and the kids get ready to head back to school. Coming up with a roster of lunches that are healthy, taste good and – most importantly – are eaten is no small feat. Read on for tips from Abbie Gellman, registered dietitian and chef, on how to pack a nutritious lunchbox.
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What do blue light, the sun, and your diet including DHA have in common? Your eyes. That's right! Blue light, the sun, and healthy fats all influence the health of your eyes. Learn three truths about blue light and eye health. Read More
Nelson Dellis, 4-time USA Memory Champion and adventure sport athlete, shares what a typical day looks like for this athlete. Nutrition is an important part of his daily routine and his training program. Brain Armor with life’sOMEGA vegetarian DHA and EPA omega-3s help to support his journey. Read More
A nutritious diet is essential for every mother-to-be as nutritional deficiencies are common during pregnancy, but for the vegetarian mamma, it is even more important. Learn about four key nutrients for a healthy vegetarian pregnancy from award-winning dietitian Melanie McGrice, AdvAPD. Read More
Many mothers are caring for more people than just their children, they’re also caring for their parents who need to maintain healthy habits throughout the second half of their lives. If you’re a caregiver, read on to learn how an important nutrient – omega-3s – can help support your loved ones’ health. Read More
If you’re a parent, September can be hectic as summer winds down and the kids get ready to head back to school. Coming up with a roster of lunches that are healthy, taste good and – most importantly – are eaten is no small feat. Read on for tips from Abbie Gellman, registered dietitian and chef, on how to pack a nutritious lunchbox. Read More
Certain strains of algae produce omega-3 EPA and DHA and are 100% sustainable. Read More
