'Turning vegetarian changed my life – I've noticed this big difference in my body'

One woman claimed that going meat-free has helped her to understand her body more. And it's even assisting her to live a better lifestyle with her chronic illnesses

World Vegetarian Day (October 1) seeks to highlight the benefits of vegetarianism - and one woman who changed her diet vouches for the veggie lifestyle as it saw her "bounce back" to good health.

The NHS recommends people eat five vegetables and fruit a day as they are "a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium". They are also "an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation, as well as other digestion problems. Also a "diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer".

But what are the benefits of going totally vegetarian? Tamika Smith believes ditching meat from her diet helped her body to feel better, despite her health conditions, and she credits her youthful appearance to a vegetarian way of life.

Tamika, who has been diagnosed with Endometriosis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia, dealt with years of "strange symptoms like sudden weakness, faintness, leg pain, and nerve pain". But since she went meat-free "over a decade" ago, she believes this lifestyle is what she can thank for her "bouncing back" from these "unexplained flare-ups".

"My doctor even recommended I continue with what I was doing because it seemed to work," she shared.

Tamika explained: "I focus on understanding my body through research and journaling, and I’ve learned that my body thrives on seeded fruits and vegetables.

"My current healthcare team fully supports my decision, and my care plan is centred around nutrition and superfoods that exclude meat. Even when I was hospitalised in 2021, the dietician made sure I had meals that adhered to my meat-free lifestyle.

"For me, being healthy looks different from the standard definition. With multiple chronic illnesses, sticking to this plan helps me manage flare-ups and maintain my overall well-being.

"When I’m experiencing a flare, I juice fruits and vegetables to reboot my body. This lifestyle has given me clearer skin, reduced inflammation, and a youthful appearance as I approach my 40th birthday in the next few months."

But what are the benefits of turning your back on meat? For many, meat makes up a large part of their diet, so to go veggie can feel like a struggle.

Dr Nabeel Arshad, of The Brooke Surgery in Greater Manchester, said: "A vegetarian diet can have huge health benefits and giving up meat is something many people are considering, whether it's in the short term or the long term.

"When taking meat out of the diet, it’s important to ensure what we’re eating still has a balance of food groups so our bodies get what they need. This includes fruit and vegetables, which are packed full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as folate, potassium, vitamin C etc.

"Fruit and vegetables also have a great source of fibre and water, so you’re getting essential vitamins for the body and also the right support for organs such as your bowels to help them move and keep your body healthy.

"The benefits of having a meat-free diet can include better digestion, as choosing foods that are more rich in fibre can help the bowels to move and aid the digestion system. Bowel movements are a healthy process of the body, and regular movements can help reduce the risk of bowel cancer amongst other conditions.

"If you’re not having fruit and veg and having a balanced diet, your risk of heart disease can be greater as well as strokes and some types of cancers. Plant-based diets and those without meat, can also lower cholesterol levels because animal products typically contain saturated fats that can raise blood cholesterol.

"Those with high cholesterol typically see the benefits of removing red meat from their diet and it can help in lowering these levels, and promote good heart health as well as reducing the risk of heart disease, heart damage, and coronary artery disease."

Would you consider a meat-free diet? Let us know in the comments...