Eat like a rabbit for a happy and prosperous New Year

Published on: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

By: FMT Reporters

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Take a page out of this fluffball’s eating habits and incorporate more veggies into your diet. (Envato Elements pic)

The Lunar New Year tends to inspire people to improve their health and wellbeing. As the Chinese community ushers in the Year of the Rabbit, perhaps it’s timely to take a page out of this furry little creature’s eating habits and incorporate more veggies and plant-based foods into one’s diet.

“People have become more receptive to plant-based diets in recent years, as they are packed with healthy fibre, vitamins and minerals, free of cholesterol, and are much lower in calories and saturated fats,” said Dr Jasminder Kaur, consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist at a medical centre in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

“They are also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Besides which, these diets also help to keep people feeling fuller for longer and increase energy, which helps with weight management and combating obesity.”

She acknowledged that a complete overhaul of one’s diet can be intimidating, and requires lots of hard work and discipline. Still, there is a wide variety of plant-based diets to try if you are so inclined, including variations that don’t require the complete cutting out of meat products.

Types of plant-based diets

1. Lacto-vegetarian

This diet excludes meat, fish, poultry and eggs, as well as foods that contain them. However, dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter are still consumed.

2. Ovo-vegetarian

This type of plant-based diet excludes meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products, but allows the consumption of eggs.

3. Lacto-ovo vegetarian

This excludes meat, fish and poultry, but includes dairy products and eggs.

There are many variations to a plant-based diet, so go at your own pace and find the option that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

4. Pescatarian

This diet gets its main source of protein from fish, but does not include meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs.

5. Vegan

This is the strictest type of plant-based diet, one that excludes meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products, along with any foods that contain these products.

Don’t put all your veggies in one basket

While adopting a plant-based diet is a great step, remember that simply becoming vegetarian will not cure ailments or make a person healthy overnight. “To see proper improvements, it is essential to plan well, ideally with a nutritionist,” Jasminder said.

“Include a variety of nutrient-rich ingredients and protein substitutes, since meat is not being consumed. Also, plant-based dieting needs to be part of an overall healthy lifestyle, so remember to stay active and get enough rest.”

For those who are just starting on this journey, a gradual or partial cutting down on meat products may be best, she added.

“Don’t be swayed by the latest ‘trending’ diets you see on social media as ‘quick fixes’ for your health. Incorporating plant-based foods into your daily diet should be something you do for your own good, so go at a pace that’s beneficial to you and your lifestyle.”