Whether they were ancient Greek philosphers or modern day celebrities, vegetarians have made a mark on the world. Check out this list of famous vegetarians and vegans; as you'll see, some of the greatest minds in the world were vegetarian!

One of the biggest mistakes people make when becoming vegetarian, is eliminating meat from their meals without changing their normal diet. To maintain a healthy vegetarian lifestyle, you must make sure your diet compensates for vitamins and minerals you would normally receive from meat or animal products.

Interested in some statistics about vegetarian diets? Studies have shown vegetarians to be at less risk for high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease. Here are some of the long-term advantages of plant-based diets:

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is made by curdling fresh soy milk with a coagulant, a process very similar to making cheese. High in protein and calcium and low in calories, tofu is a healthy protein source for vegetarians and vegans.

There are several variations of the typical vegetarian diet. Some people consider themselves vegetarian, yet eat seafood. Others see vegetarianism as a diet in which there is no meat or dairy.

Being a vegetarian doesn’t mean you have a bland, flavorless diet! There are many healthy foods to choose from, but it is important to balance your diet so that you receive all the nutrition necessary to stay healthy and active.