Vegetarian food is beneficial for heart health. As the Montreal Cardiology Institute recalls, several studies have shown that vegetarianism is “Associated with a decrease in several risk factors for these diseases, including hypertension, total cholesterol and cholesterol-LDL, triglyceride levels, fasting blood sugar as well as the risk of diabetes“. However, all the vegetarian alternatives are not equal. In an interview with Health Magazinethe nutritionist dietitian Raphaël Gruman alerts certain products.
Plant steaks: ultra -formed products bad for the heart
“Industrial plant steaks are often ultra -formed foods, he warns. They are made up of a mixture of legumes, cereals and a cocktail of additives (texture, emulsifiers, dyes, preservatives, etc.) intended to reproduce the taste and texture of meat“Besides, once crushed and transformed, the cereals and legumes they contain lose their nutritional interest.”On the cardiovascular level, consuming this type of food daily is not necessarily better than a beef steak, estimates this specialist. This can even maintain chronic low -grade inflammation. “ Dr. Martin Juneau, director of observation of the prevention of the Montreal Cardiology Institute, shares this observation in an article, published on the observatory website. “”It is not because we eliminate meat that we necessarily eat wellhe alerts. A vegan that feeds mainly on starchy foods (fries, pasta, pastries) or industrial products that imitate meat products (tofu sausages, etc.) will obviously not have an optimal diet. “
Vegetarianism: favor the home house for industrial products
According to him, vegetarianism must be perceived as an inclusion diet, vegetables and legumes, and not just exclusion of meat. “”For example, you can make pancakes by mixing lenses, grated zucchini, an egg, a little flour and fresh herbs. It’s simple, economical and much better – on all levels – than industrial plant steaks! “advises Raphaël Gruman. In general, it is necessary to favor raw foods, such as lenses, chickpeas, tofu or templeh. “”Red meat remains a good source of protein, iron and vitamin B12 “he specifies. But then again, not all products are created equal. “”Watch out for the first price steaks’ often too fatty, he said. Better to eat less … but of better quality! “