I have been going GREEN even since December of 2007. My dad is a diabetic so it was a little easier for me to switch to Vegetarianism. We didn't keep beef at home, and I have avoided pork like the plague since I was young (I never liked the taste of lechon either). We only had ground chicken or chicken breasts and fish at home, so that made it easier.

The hardest thing about the switch was on how I was going to eat when I was at shoots, specially shoots that go on the whole day. I couldn't be picky, and not so much fast food restaurants offer healthy vegetarian food. Sure, they had pizzas and salads, but I knew that if I had them everyday, I wouldn't have the energy to work. So that's when I decided to just be diligent to carefully plan my meals during the day, and bring my own packed lunch and snacks every time I had work.

The point of my post is that many people lament the nutritional disadvantages of a poorly planned vegetarian diet, few stress the health advantages of adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some would even say that when you are a vegetarian, your skin suffers.

I found a website that covered the three major nutritional advantages of becoming a vegetarian.

The first major benefit of a vegetarian diet is a increased healthy heart. Vegetarians, on average, consume more nuts as a supplemental form of protein. Nuts contain "good" fats, such as omega-3 and omega-6. This promotes good heart health by reducing "bad" cholesterol and unclogging arteries.

In addition to nuts, vegetarians also consume more soy milk - often to replace milk, which reduces "bad" cholesterol and has been linked to good heart health.

The second major benefit vegetarians enjoy is increased skin health. In addition to consuming larger quantities of nuts (which contain healthful oils), vegetarians tend to consume more fruit and vegetables, which are rich in essential vitamins, including A and E, which are linked to good skin health.

Fruits and vegetables also contain high amounts of fiber, which helps flush toxins out of the body, further contributing to better skin health.

The third health benefit vegetarians enjoy is an increased natural consumption of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are foods that help prevent cancer by destroying free radicals. Vitamin C and Vitamin E, two strong antioxidants, are commonly found in vegetarian meals. Now as we already know, Vitamin E has been known to improve the skin's elasticity, tone and texture.

Vitamin C can be found in berries, tomatoes, citrus fruit, kale, kiwis, asparagus and peppers.

Vitamin E can be found in the following:wheat germ, seed oils, walnuts, almonds, and brown rice, all foods that are commonly a part of a well-balanced vegetarian diet.

What does this all mean for you as a prospective vegetarian?

It means the popular mythology about vegetarian diets is false. Not only can a vegetarian diet be nutritionally sufficient, but it can also affect better skin health, prevent cancer, and increase the health of your heart.

Do you want truly fabulous skin? Making sure you have the right Diet for Healthy Skin is very important! It will give you Glowing, Vibrant, and, Yes, Younger-looking skin? Most experts say eating a balanced diet for healthy skin is good enough to achieve visible results. Still, a number of specific foods are more likely than others to give a boost of glowing good health to your complexion.

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums
The common link between these four foods is their high antioxidant content. Free radicals like the kind formed from sun exposure will damage the membrane of skin cells. The antioxidants in these fruits can protect the cells so there is less of a chance for any damage.

Walnuts, Canola Oil, and Flax Seed
These foods all deliver essential fatty acids, which is key for healthy skin! The best-known essential fatty acids are omega 3 and omega 6, which must be in balance for good health (and good skin). Fish, walnuts, and flax seed oil are among the best sources for Omega 3.

Low-Fat Dairy Products
One the most important components of skin health is vitamin A. One of the best places to get it is low-fat dairy products. In fact, experts say that the health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A.

Whole-wheat bread, muffins, and cereals, and oatmeal
The mineral selenium plays a big role in helping you achieve healthy skin. Experts say selenium plays a key role in the health of skin cells. Some studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.

Water
Proper hydration is essential for healthy, younger-looking skin. Drinking water helps to give your skin the moisture it needs to maintain elasticity and suppleness and to prevent dryness. The body also relies on water to detoxify properly, allowing yourself to look and feel your best. Avoid dehydrating foods and beverages such as caffeine (cola, chocolate, coffee, tea) and alcohol.