If you know or are around a lot of folks from India then you know or have seen healthy vegetarians. India has the highest percentage of vegetarians per capita than any other country. Many who come to the US or are natural born here adopt vegetarianism. Some don't eat meat but will consume eggs and dairy.
Just because someone does not eat animal products that doesn't mean they are eating a properly balanced vegetarian diet.
We need fat for proper absorption of nutrients and vegetarians often eat super low fat diets.
A plant based diet needs to be carefully planned in order to get the proper balance of amino acids to build muscle.
In order to get a full complement of vitamins and minerals you have to really know what mix of veggies and nuts/seeds to eat.
I'm like others above, canines and molars, eyes in the front of the head. We are opportunistic predatory omnivores.
My diet is currently about 80% plant based with occasional chicken/beef as part of one of my meals. One or two times a week I eat a couple eggs. I consume a moderate amount of cheese but no milk or creme. I've nearly eliminated processed wheat and sugar from my diet.
I try and follow the Mediterranean style of eating while being very conscience of the glycemic load of my meals. I'm not absolutest and will share a pizza with you if you are buying and will gladly wash it down with a wheat beer like Bells Oberon
Over the last 7 years I've lost about 30lbs, nearly 45 in the last decade. My resting blood pressure before I get out of bed is 116/62 at 62bpm. Lipids? Low LDL and Triglycerides with high HDL.
I have a dear friend who abandoned 25 years of vegetarianism due to what she called the overwhelming evidence of the health benefits of moderate consumption of animal products. It was a huge step for a California new ager type earth momma to come to grips with that reality
