What is a pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan? And what are the benefits of the diets

From birminghammail.co.uk

The commonality between all three lifestyles is the omitting of meat products 

There are numerous types of diet and eating lifestyles that people choose to adapt to or are born into, from veganism, vegetarianism and being pescatarian.

Where vegans do not eat dairy and meat products, substituting food to be plant-based, vegetarians omit meat from their diets but can have dairy products such as milk and cheese. Pescatarians do not eat meat, like vegans and vegetarians, but they can have fish.

The key difference between vegans and vegetarians is the dairy consumed as vegans omit eating or drinking anything that is affiliated with animals. Where pescatarians are like vegetarians in still consuming dairy, their key difference is that they eat fish.

The commonality between all three lifestyles is the omitting of meat products.

Vegans, vegetarians and pescatarians all eat plant-based food like soya beans instead of meat products. (Image: The Wharf)

What are the benefits of being pescatarian?

Being able to still eat more fish, due to not having meat, means that your diet will contain high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.

The Omega-3 that is found in fish like salmon, mackerel and sardine, is beneficial to the heart in fighting heart disease, diabetes such as type 2, cancers and general obesity. It also reduces the likelihood of getting arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. The fatty acids help to lower cholesterol, inflammations and brings greater blood sugar control too.

Being pescatarian provides more flexibility than vegetarianism so it can also be better in longevity to stick to whilst easily accessing Omega-3.

                         Pescatarians can still eat the classic fish and chips. (Image: Getty Images)

What are the benefits of being vegetarian?

A vegetarian diet is also good for heart health.

Eating without meat in your diet reduces a cancer risk, will similarly prevent and treat type 2 diabetes, lower your blood pressure, encourage bone health with reduced osteoporosis rates and decrease any asthma symptoms that can be gained from animal products.

Legumes, nuts, vegetables and fruits help to protect the heart muscle. Meanwhile, low blood pressure can come about from plant-based food that is lower in fat, sodium and cholesterol. Blood pressure can also be lowered by potassium, which can be found in fruit and vegetables.

You will also intake less saturated fats and greater fibre, folate and productive antioxidants that are good for you.

What are the benefits of being vegan?

A vegan diet, like vegetarians, provides the most protection from cancer risks and female-specific cancers, according to a study.

You will also benefit from all the above from lower blood pressure, blood sugar control and better kidney function, reduced chance of obesity and lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes. Veganism is also shown to reduce the pain of arthritis in better bone health like vegetarianism.

Vegans get the added benefits of better skin and better sleep from the lack of dairy and fatty foods in their diets where pescatarians and vegetarians still have the former.

Eating vegan is also richer in nutrients from minerals, wholegrains, healthy oils and nuts. Plant-based food also has higher levels of fibre which aids with better digestion.

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