Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian

Advantages of vegetarian foods are:
They are easily chewable, especially for the elderly who have lost their teeth.
Many elderly feel that vegetarian food is more easily digestible.
Vegetarian foods are cheaper than non-vegetarian foods.
Some vegetables can be eaten raw preventing the loss of nutrients while cooking.
Vegetarian foods do not contain as much fat as non-vegetarian foods.
Vegetarians should take care to include soyabeans, groundnuts, lentils, mushrooms and so on to get a sufficient supply of proteins.

Advantages of Non-Vegetarian foods are:
Non-vegetarian foods are rich in protein of high biological value and in Vit B complex, especially B12 which is not available in plant foods.
Fish, especially the small varieties are a rich source of calcium.
Egg-white is good source of protein and easily digested.
The incidence of high BP, Heart disease, Obesity and high cholesterol levels is found to be greater among non-vegetarians. Elders who suffer from these problems should reduce the intake of fleshy foods in their diet. Egg-white and most varieties of fish contain less fat, but are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.