Vegetarianism is no longer a strange fad. More and more people are choosing to plan their menus around plant-based foods. With research continually showing that balanced vegetarian diets promote healthy living and prevent chronic disease, it's no wonder vegetarianism is on the rise. Still need some convincing? Below are five reasons to cut out the meat and go vegetarian.

1. Vegetarians Live Longer. Seventh-Day Adventists have a longer life span by about 7 years. Why? Current studies suggest their vegetarian diet is healthy and age-defying. In addition to living longer, they have fewer incidences of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables may just be the fountain of youth we are all looking for.

2. Vegetarians Save Money. Vegetarian food is cheap. Vegetable prices are nowhere the cost of even the cheapest cuts of meats. People who complain about the high price of fruits and vegetables usually are considering the additive cost because they are already purchasing the meat. Cut out the meat and you cut your grocery bill significantly. The bottom line is that plant-protein is cheaper than animal protein. While fruits can be expensive, cheaper versions are available in the freezer section. The vegetarian staple of rice and beans is one of the most inexpensive meal combinations you can find.

3. Vegetarians are Skinnier. On average vegetarians have a lower BMI (body mass index) than non-vegetarians. Dieters opting for a vegetarian lifestyle tend to eat fewer calories and less fat than omnivores. They also shed more pounds when sticking with a plant-based diet for a year or more. The result is a leaner look.

4. Vegetarians Help the Planet. Veggie eaters live green lifestyles and contribute to overall Earth health. A vegetarian diet requires half the farmland that a meat-rich diet requires. Agricultural production accounts for 30% of farmland, but livestock production absorbs 70% of the land. Additionally research is beginning to show that meat-eaters contribute to global warming while vegetarian dieters have a lower carbon footprint. Two greenhouse gases impacting global warming are methane and nitrous oxide and both are heavily produced during livestock production.

5. Vegetarians Have Lower Medical Bills. Meat eaters are more likely to suffer from hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, gallstones, and food sickness. This has an estimated yearly medical cost of 30-60 billion dollars. Consuming more fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains has been linked to disease prevention. Fruits and vegetables contain cancer-fighting phytochemicals and vegetarian diets have been linked to reducing cancer risk by half. A vegan diet outperformed the ADA Recommended diet in terms of reducing heart disease risk. The bad LDL cholesterol drops in half after six months on a vegetarian diet. Vegetarians have the upper hand when it comes to overall health and disease prevention.

Vegetarians live longer, spend less, weigh less, honor the planet, and ward of illness. Is it time to convert to vegetarianism? At least try it out part-time and by year's end you might find yourself touting the benefits of a plant-based diet to your friends.

References:EW56Bhttp://www.veg etarian-nutrition.info/updates /vegetarian_diets_health_benef its.phpWH6PDZ6EFP

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