Vegetarians and happy-medium flexitarians are celebrating -- October rings in Vegetarian Awareness Month. Even if you shake your head in disgust at a meal that isn't built around a pork chop, honor the occasion and give all vegetables and grains a serious try for one day.

FitSugar reminds us eating veggie can help with weight loss and disease prevention. From a global perspective, dodging meat can prevent deforestation and global warming, and can improve the water supply. Eating plants also feeds the hungry as factory farms and grazing lands are potential farmland.

One reason the French are so svelte? They build their meals around vegetables and grains.