Celebrate World Vegetarian Day with meat-free meal

Media Release
15 September 2009

Sanitarium challenges Kiwis to celebrate World Vegetarian Day with a meat-free meal

Sanitarium is raising a challenge to all New Zealanders to serve up a meat-free meal to celebrate World Vegetarian Day on 1 October 2009.

Sanitarium Health Food Company is committed to improving the health and happiness of all New Zealanders and believes adding more plant-based foods into your diet can have a positive effect on your life.

Increasing the number of plant-based foods you eat offers a wide range of health benefits to you and your family, from reducing the risk of heart disease, to lowering blood pressure and helping provide protective benefits against cancer and diabetes.

A recent Sanitarium survey revealed many New Zealanders are already enjoying meat-free meals. 31.4% of respondents chose to eat at least half of their main meals without meat and 39.8% of the population said they would like to know more about eating vegetarian meals and including more plant-based foods in their diet.

Kim Stirling, Communications Manager for Sanitarium, says Sanitarium is proud to be supporting World Vegetarian Day and encourages more New Zealanders to try and add a plant-based meal to their weekly menu.

“Sanitarium has always advocated a healthy and balanced diet and believes eating more plant foods is one of the best steps we can take to achieve this,” says Ms Stirling.

“Vegetarian meals don’t need to be complex, with the right products and knowledge they can be simple, tasty, fun and family friendly.”

“We are encouraging all New Zealanders to step up to the plate and try a new vegetarian dish on World Vegetarian Day.”

Sanitarium has launched a new vegetarian recipe book. You can download the book – Food for Health and Happiness – from www.sanitarium.co.nz/recipes.aspx Alternatively browse the great range of vegetarian recipes and read a wide range of articles and information at www.sanitarium.co.nz

The Sanitarium Nutrition Service, a free community initiative to help the community experience happy, healthy lives, provides information and handy hints on vegetarian eating and ways to add more plant-based foods into your diet.

To speak to one of the qualified nutritionists provided by the service call 0800 100 257 or e-mail the Sanitarium Nutrition Service at nutrition@sanitarium.co.nz

ENDS

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