Given the parameters of the vegetarian diet, there is a separate vegetarian food pyramid to provide people with guidelines for how to eat a healthy vegetarian diet. Following a vegetarian diet plan doesn't necessarily mean you're always eating healthy food options.
Part of following the vegetarian food pyramid involves making good choices about the kinds and amounts of food you consume. If you follow the vegetarian diet pyramid, you will be choosing healthy options while you follow your preferred lifestyle.
Whole grains make up the majority of the vegetarian food pyramid. This includes everything from cereals to corn to bread. It is recommended that vegetarians eat 6 to 11 servings of whole grains. Though the serving size of the whole grains category may seem high, it's not as hard to fit the proper amount into your diet: Take each meal and consider how grains could be a component of it.
The next major food group aiding in vegetarian nutrition is the vegetable group. It is recommended that vegetarians eat three to five servings of vegetables each day. This includes everything from tomatoes to corn, as well as starchy vegetables, like potatoes and yams.
A healthy vegetarian diet also includes two to four servings from the fruit group. Fruits include everything from apples to pineapples to bananas. It is recommended that whole fruits be consumed, rather than just juice because fruit juices tend to contain a lot of sugar.
Additionally, consuming two to three servings of legumes/nuts is another important part of vegetarian nutrition. Legumes include everything from beans and peas, to soy products like tofu and other kinds of texturized tofu products.
You are recommended to eat two to three servings from the dairy food group. Dairy includes products from milk to cheese to yogurt. It is recommended that people consume non- or low-fat dairy products.
Oils, sweets and salt should be consumed sparingly or in moderation.
 | Cooking vegetarian food does require that you think outside the butcher's case, but it need not be intimidating. Start by replacing meat in recipes you already cook, then look for vegetarian recipes that appeal to your senses, making sure to stock up on plenty of herbs and spices. |
 | Being a vegetarian is more than just a moral choice to protect animals or to rage against distasteful conditions in farms and the like. There are many health benefits to making the choice to eliminate meat from one's diet. The benefits of being a vegetarian are numerous and can help a person live a long and full life. |
 | Everyone needs variety in their diets to stay healthy and to keep their taste buds happy. Vegans perhaps need even more diversity in their diets to cover all of their nutritional needs. However, getting the proper vegan nutrition is not difficult. |
Tempeh is a healthy and delicious meat alternative that not enough Americans are eating. It is firm and hearty in a way that tofu is not, and with more protein and fiber, it's better for you, too. |
Seitan is gaining popularity amongst vegans and vegetarians, partly because it contains so much protein, and partly because the texture is often considered preferable to tofu or tempeh. Once you learn the basics of how to make seitan, you can experiment with different flavorings and shapes, making your own "steak" or "chicken" seitan cutlets. |
