5 Myths About Vegetarian Diets

Beefing up your knowledge may have a high-“steaks” impact on your health.

- By Kate Rockwood. Illustrations by Andrea De Santis

MYTH #1 Vegetarian diets are always healthy.

MYTHBUSTER Plenty of studies show that a diet high in meat-especially red meat-can up your risk for heart disease and cancers like colorectal cancer. There's also solid evidence that fruits and veggies are good for you, and vegetarian diets have many health benefits. But cutting out meat doesn't automatically make your diet healthy. In fact, a study from the American College of Cardiology found that vegetarians with diets high in sweets, refined grains, and juice showed no heart-health benefits compared with meat eaters. Many foods that qualify as vegetarian aren't nutrient-rich, says Lainey Younkin, R.D., owner of Lainey Younkin Nutrition. Sugary processed foods may be vegetarian but lack fiber, protein, and healthy fats, she adds. Veg or no, aim to eat whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, good sources of calcium, and whole grains, and go easy on sodium, fat, and sugar, says Nyssa Entrekin, R.D., associate director of Healthy Food Access at The Food Trust.

MYTH #2 Veggie burgers are a much healthier choice than meat burgers.