health, lose weight or ease their consciences, many people consider following a vegetarian diet. It can ey be a healthy wayto live—butit can also be a major commitment that requires a strong will and determination. Fortunately you canstill lead a healthy life by incorporating vegetarian meals into a regular diet; in other words, becoming a “flexitarian.” This can be as simple as declaring one meal a dayor one day a week “meatless.” The Benefits According to Edward Giovan- nucci, M.D., Se.D., of the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, losing weight is only one benefit. Limiting meat eating to less than five times a week can also help prevent certain kinds of diseases such as cancer and kidney stones. “It is not an all or nothing choice anymore; today more people than ever are seeing the many health benefits of a diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables, and occasionally includes meat,” said Lisa Mosing, RD. “Studies have proven that people who follow a healthy, flexitarian diet are more likely to expe- rience a far greater success in weight-loss, since they are reducing calories and getting much needed antioxidants from more fruits and vegetables. This increased weight loss success can also be attributed to the fact that about 60 percent of our total fat consumption, including saturated fat, comes from meat anddairy products.” The Trend Flexitarian eating is quickly becoming very popular. According to Charles Stahler, co-director of aff Many local stores feature frozen vegetarian dishes to help flexitarians stay happy and healthy. the Vegetarian Resource Group, the number of Americans who are flexitarians could be as high as AO percent. The Easy Way In the past, it involved some time and trouble to cook meatless meals. Today, however, healthy eating can be easy. Local stores carry many meatless products and entrees. More than 20, including burgers, appetizers, and other specialties are available from Gardenburger, the only national brand which providesa full line of only 100 percent natural products. It even offers a first in the meatless category: protein-based meatless frozen entrees. The company pioneered the meatless food category 20 years ago with the invention of the original veggie burger created by health food guru Paul Wenner. The food can be found at over 30,000 grocery, natural food and club stores. The Way To Learn More You can learn more online at www.gardenburger.com.
