[RickSp]

Undoubtedly, vegetarianism is a healthy lifestyle choice. And, as doctors point out, it protects its followers from a slew of lifestyle-related disorders like cardiac ailments, hypertension, cancer, gallstones and obesity. In fact, the US-based World Cancer Research Fund says that cancer risk plummets by almost 40 per cent if one sticks to plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and limits the intake of grilled, cured and smoked meats and fish. But herein lies the rub. A lot of vegetarians - whether converts or not - are so restrictive in their diet that they end up suffering from nutritional deficiencies and immunity-linked disorders. According to Delhi-based nutritionist Dr Shikha Sharma, this restrictive diet lies at the root of many problems that vegetarians encounter. Many complain of anaemia, osteoporosis and low bone mineral density - which makes the bones weak and vulnerable to fractures. "I get many vegetarians at my clinic who live on potatoes, white flour and polished rice day in and day out. Nothing could be worse. A healthy diet ought to have a lot of variety from all food groups."

So after starting with the potentially questionable assertion that "undoubtedly" vegetarianism is healthy, the article goes on to describe the risks of malnutrition and immunity linked disorders encountered by many vegetarians. Amusing.