Cook Orlando Edwards (left) and Yvonne Hope preparing stuffed tofu with pak choi. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Lifestyle transformation consultant and nutritionist, Paul Johnson, says, "One can develop a healthy lifestyle being a vegetarian or non-vegetarian."

However, he notes that a vegetarian diet is high in fibre which is very important to prevent constipation, regulate blood sugar and cholesterol level and colon cancer.

He adds that even as a vegetarian, one's meals need to be balanced. "Vegetarians need to be balanced and nutritionally adequate. There are some meat eaters who can be healthier than vegetarians."

Mr. Johnson, like Mrs. Hope, says that being vegetarian is a lifestyle. "They smoke less, exercise more, eat more fruit and vegetables. They also have a greater knowledge of nutrition than non-vegetarians. It's part of a lifestyle move once you decide to leave meat out of your diet."

He also notes that vegetarians have a better cholesterol profile as cholesterol is found in meat you can have high cholesterol as a vegetarian by introducing a lot of margarine, etc., into your diet.

Other health benefits include a reduced risk of high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. "It doesn't mean that they won't if you're a vegetarian, or that if you eat meat you will. It's about your lifestyle."

He notes that meat eaters can be as healthy and healthier if they:

Increase their consumption of fruits and raw vegetable - more salads, fruits and vegetable juices.

Exercise regularly

Ensure that you detox to empty the 'garbage can'. Even vegetarians should do this. Detoxificationis very important.

Get adequate sleep, as most of our healing occurs during sleep. Sleep recharges our nervous and immune system.

Types of Vegetarian

There are three internationally recognised groups of vegetarians.

(1) Ovo Lacto:

They eat eggs, dairy products, but no meat.

(2) Lacto Vegetarian

Eat dairy, but no eggs or meat

(3) Vegan

They do not eat any kind of meat, eggs or dairy. But again, this depends on the specific food choices you make.

Paul Johnson can be contacted at: tehuti@oracleoftehuti.com

A complete, well-balanced meal of bean stew, veggie mince wrap tofu in tomato sauce with pumpkin brown rice, vegetables and carrot juice.

Vegetarian food shot at Ashanti Restaurant in Hope Gardens.

Ashanti pasta with an assortment of vegetables.