Every year on October 1, people celebrate ‘World Vegetarian Day’. Established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977, the day emphasizes the ethics of leading a vegetarian lifestyle while drawing attention to the advantages of vegetarianism for the environment and human health. The purpose behind the celebration is to promote the adoption of a plant-based diet. The day marks the beginning of World Vegetarian Awareness Month. 

History of the World Vegetarian Day 

World Vegetarian Day was founded as an annual event to raise awareness of the happiness, compassion, and potential benefits of vegetarianism. The day was first proposed by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and in 1978, the International Vegetarian Union approved the day. World Vegetarian Day marks the beginning of October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, which concludes on November 1st with World Vegan Day. There are several names for Vegetarian Awareness Month, including "Month of Vegetable Food," "Reverence for Life," and others.

Theme of World Vegetarian Day 2024

World Vegetarian Day 2024's advertising begins with the intriguing new concept of "Mix It Up!" Everyone is encouraged to try plant-based substitutes in their favorite recipes by this year's theme. The idea is to encourage experimentation in the kitchen and demonstrate how simple and tasty vegetarian options can be, whether it's switching to tofu instead of meat, trying a new veggie burger, or adding more veggies to your meals. The topic makes adopting a better and more sustainable diet enjoyable for people of all ages by showcasing the diversity of plant-based cuisine.

How does Vegetarianism increase life expectancy?

Many studies have proven that a vegetarian diet is connected with longer life expectancy and lower risks of death. There are many reasons behind this -

• Protects from cardiovascular diseases: In comparison to many meat-based diets, vegetarian diets typically have lower levels of total fat, cholesterol level and greater intakes of fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. All the essential nutrients are present in a vegetarian diet in an impressive quantity. 

• Have less saturated fat: A vegetarian diet is centered on plant sources, which are inherently low in calories and it tends to be lower in saturated fat. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses (beans and lentils), nuts, and seeds are all part of a vegetarian diet. Compared to meat and poultry, these meals often have fewer calories and less saturated fat.

• Maintains body weight: A vegetarian diet frequently consists of various nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and soy, it can aid in both weight maintenance and loss. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are good sources of fiber for vegetarian diets. With addition to adding roughage to meals, fiber can aid with weight maintenance. A vegetarian diet can lower the chance of developing diseases linked to obesity.

Adopting a vegetarian diet is not only good for your health but it also takes care of your body mass, heart health and lifestyle. It is one of the most humanitarian practices where a human not only thinks about himself but also thinks about other animals, who are being slaughtered from ages to be served in their plates.