Recent studies and research in Kuwait indicate an increase in the number of people opting a vegetarian diet for various reasons. Among the reasons for the spread of vegetarianism are the influence of social media, travel and contact with other countries and cultures.
Head of the Nutrition Awareness Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sana Abdullah Al-Majed, confirmed that although there are no statistics on the exact percentage of vegetarians in Kuwait, a significant number of people now practice vegetarianism in its various forms, and for different reasons.
Vegetarianism may not be as common in Kuwait as in many other countries, but that has not prevented many restaurants and cafes, and supermarkets in Kuwait from offering a selection of good vegetarian choices. From milk alternatives such as soy milk and almond milk to tofu, vegetables, fruits, legumes, as well as products that contain vegetable gelatin instead of animal gelatin are now readily available across Kuwait. A future in Kuwait where there is great demand for vegetarian foods is a strong possibility given the spread of the vegetarian diet.
However, nutritionists and dietitians advice vegetarians, especially those new to the diet, that they must ensure their diet includes a variety of foods that provide all the nutrients the body needs for its proper functioning.
Vegetarian meals are usually low in calories and contain high nutritional value with less amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol sources. Hence this lifestyle may contribute to reduced cholesterol levels, low blood pressure and loss of weight. The vegetarian diet also contains lots of dietary fiber and vegetarians are less susceptible to some types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Hence a lifestyle change to vegetarianism is beneficial if the change is well researched and well planned.
Types of vegetarians:
There are mainly six types of vegetarian diet that people choose to follow:
Vegan or Pure Vegetarians: Do not have any kind of meat, birds, fish or any kind of animal products such as eggs, milk and honey.
Lacto-vegetarians: Do not have any kind of meat, birds, fish and eggs but consume milk and its products.
Ovo-vegetarians: Do not have any kind of meat, birds, fish, or dairy products, however they have eggs.
Lacto Ovo-vegetarians: Do not have any kind of meat, birds or fish, however, consume eggs and milk products.
Pollotarianism: They do not consume any red meat or fish, however they eat poultry and birds.
Pescatarian: Do not have any kind of meat, birds and eggs but allow fish.
