If The World Became Vegetarian

Brought up in the southern of China, I often heard about that people from there “eat anything with four limbs except tables, anything that flies except aero planes, and anything that swims except ships”. Nevertheless, I eat more fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains but less meat to make careful choices for environmental protection. Similarly, Kathy Freston argues that animal agriculture is one of the top contributors to global warming. In her Huffington Post selection “Vegetarian Is the New Prius,” Freston lists how many emissions of greenhouse gases people make when they eat meat and illustrates the consumption of tree in animal agriculture. She effectively convinces her audiences that the livestock results in the most serious environmental problems and encourages people to lead a greener diet to protect our environment. However, ardent craving, poor health, and perpetual hassle and cost prevent all Americans from being vegetarian.

“Meats, Dairies, and Eggs, Oh Why” (2014) is an argumentative essay written by Rebecca Dent that explains the benefits of eating a plant-based diet and advocates for the better treatment of the animals affected by the meat industry. Dent supports her assertions by discussing the negative health effects of an omnivorous diet, addressing reasons some might be hesitant to convert to a plant-based diet, describing the advantages of substituting meat for vegetables for both the consumers and the animals, and finally, by including expert opinions and statistical facts. Dent’s purpose for this essay is to highlight the benefits of vegetarianism in order to convince readers to convert to a plant-based diet. The intended audience for this argument is those who currently eat an omnivorous diet so that they would assess and change their eating habits.

In a study conducted by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2003, it was estimated that there are approximately 2 billion people that live primarily on a meat-based diet while approximately 4 billion people live primarily on a plant-based diet (Pimentel, 2003). With this information we can deduce just how much of a difference in environmental effects there are between a vegetarian diet and a diet that consumes meat. For example, in this study it was found that the average amount of fossil fuel energy used for 1 kilocalorie of animal-based protein was 11 times more than that for 1 kilocalorie of grain protein. This statistic shows that the mass production of animal meat-based foods requires a much larger amount of the already limited amount of fossil fuels that are on Earth than plant-based food. By examining this fact, it is not a broad leap to assume that in reducing the worlds extravagant use of animal meat for consumption we could not only preserve the natural resources we have but also assist in reducing factors that add to climate change. Although the argument could be made that because both the vegetarian diet and a diet with meat in it use a large amount of resources there would be no difference in reducing the effects that the agriculture industry has on climate change but that is simply not true. While it is true that both diets use a large amount of resources, across the board the meat-based diet uses a much larger amount of resources. In fact, in the study conducted by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition it states, “The meat-based diet requires more energy, land, and water resources than the lactoovovegetarian [vegetarian] diet.” Although both are considered unsustainable, this study provides very valid evidence that the vegetarian diet is more sustainable than that of a meat-based

With research and supplementation, a life free of the cruelty of meat, or even all animal products, can be safe and healthy for all kinds of people from infants, to athletes. On top of the fact that the are safe and healthy for humans, these diets save millions of animals from the cruelty of overcrowded slaughterhouses, and from the torture of being treated as a number on a check and nothing more. The health and moral benefits of following a vegan or vegetarian diet immensely outweigh the negatives, and improve the quality of many beings lives in many aspects including; moral and health consciousness, prevention of illness and disease, and moral respect for those who cannot battle the injustices imposed against them on a daily

Traditionally, the individuals of the Western culture find eating meat perfectly acceptable and healthy. It wasn’t until relatively recently that a movement began to gain momentum within small groups of society to promote the widespread halt of all carnivorous activity by humans. People who support this movement and choose to live without the use of animal products of any kind are called total vegans. An analysis of the reasons behind veganism reveals two main factors contributing to the life-altering decision to become a total vegan: moral and ethical values primarily regarding animal welfare and health concerns involved in the consumption of red meat.

As we can now observe, vegetarianism has become something fashionable, and the number of people who reject eating meat is constantly increasing. In Britain, for instance, over 5 million people have done it so far. It is obviously connected with the recent animal diseases, but this tendency is likely to spread on the other regions of the world. However, it is not only a fashion or fear of illnesses. I myself became a vegetarian about 2 years ago, and I can see a number of reasons why people should stop eating meat. They are mainly of ethic, economic and health type. Those who think in an ecological way should also be aware of how this meat consumption ruins our environment. I don’t have an intention

“You put a baby in a crib with an apple and a rabbit. If it eats the rabbit and plays with the apple, I will buy you a new car”, said Harvey Diamond in his book “Fit for Life.” By nature, humans are not omnivores but society has the population blinded into believing animal products are a necessity to a healthy diet. Animals—other living things are dosed with hormones and seen as byproducts, their rights being ignored and denied. Cutting meat and other animal products out of the “normal” lifestyle would benefit humans just as well as animals (“Vegan Diets: Healthy and Humane”). Animal products are not necessary for good health, and removing them would have a positive effect on human health all around. No longer supporting the dairy and

Vegetarianism refers to that voluntary abstinence from eating meat. The term vegetarian was started in 1847 by the founders of the Vegetarian Society of Great Britain. But the practice of vegetarianism has been around for as long as humans have had diets. A majority of the world’s oldest cultures advocate a vegetarian diet for their health and religious beliefs. More Americans should consider being a vegetarian because of spiritual reasons, it improves one’s health, helps world hunger, and saves animals

Cutting meat from our diet seems impossible to most Americans, as the average American consumes 72.2 pounds of read meat, and 54.1 pounds of poultry, according to the U.S Department of Agriculture. But like every culture their is a subculture in which 3.2 percent of U.S adults or 7.3 million people, follow a strict vegetarian-straight diet. Vegans hopes to spread their ideology that eating no animals, or animal based products, will not only help your health, but also the health of where everyone in the world lives, our planet. Is it really possible that our planet is being destroyed because we eat meat? And can every culture adapt to a vegetarian lifestyle? Should the consumption of meat be curtailed rather than given up at all? We will explore that facts on the effects of live-stock, how only vegan world would look like, if its possible to completely convert a culture based on not eating meat, and conclude if we should convert our nation, to a vegan nation.

If you picture the stereotypical American meal, you may think of outrageous portion sizes, fatty foods, and mountains and mountains of meat. Last year, the average American consumed around 194 lbs. of beef, chicken, or pork, increasing from 184lbs in 2012 (Hill). While there is a notable increase in the amount of meat consumed, it should also be noted that there has been a gradual shift in the diets of people throughout the world. More are more people are removing meat from their diets and going vegetarian for various reasons. There are several viewpoints that this essay will cover, these range from why people are choosing to go vegetarian to why people are continuing the omnivore diet.

About a year ago, I asked myself a question why am I not a vegetarian? After all, I am who cares about the environment. I grew up with my vegetarian dad in a small town. I even joined a club called “Tree Huggers”. I knew that eating a mere hamburger a day could increase my risk of dying by a third. I knew that the 10 billion animals we raise each year for meat are raised in factory farmed conditions that we hypocritically wouldn’t even consider for our own cats, dogs and other pets (Bittman). Environmentally, animal farming causes more emissions than all the means of transportation combined, and beef production uses a hundred times the water that most vegetables do (Bittman). We as a society are eating twice as much meat as we did in the 50s. So, the special little side treat is now the main course. What if I told you, that we can change our world through our food choices. Animal agriculture has grown to become one of the most damaging industries on our planet. Going greener with your diet could be one of the most powerful and transformative decisions you will ever make in your life for three significant reasons. Plant-Based diet has tremendous benefits for your health, it is good for the sustainability of our planet, and it will widen your circle of compassion.

Different people follow different forms of vegetarianism. A true vegetarian eats no meat at all, including chicken and fish. A lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy products and eggs, but excludes meat, fish, and poultry. Also, that a lacto vegetarian eats dairy products but

Living against the mainstream of society is a challenge which can be difficult to accomplish. The choice to become an outsider can correlate to the lifestyles of vegetarians, vegans, and fruitarians, composing a pool of beings who share similar beliefs and values for which they hold to their lives. Does changing eating habits have global impacts and is it safe to make such drastic adjustments to ones diet? By covering the following topics, the question will be resolved: the fundamentals behind living a vegetarian, vegan, or fruitarian lifestyle, examples of individuals thriving on the variety of lifestyles, how diet differences relate to sustainability survivor challenges and our environmental impact, as well as my own personal experiences relating to aberrant ways of living. The ways of eating, people have become accustomed to, bears negative environmental impacts and other alternative options may be the solution to several world problems. As Albert Einstein once stated, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet” (Vegetarian 1).

Vegetarians are always seen as people who health conscious and animal rights activists. The fact that some people think vegetarians are healthier than non-vegetarians or vice versa is not true. Eating vegetables and food made of vegetables alone is not balanced diet neither is eating meat only. Vegetarians argue that they have better control of their weight because they abstain from eating foods that contain fats. Today, chemicals, growth hormones and antibiotics have become an important part of animal feeding. Animals are not raised naturally and this is one of the main causes of weight gain among non-vegetarians. Eating animals is a natural part of the life cycle and it is neither cruel nor unethical. According to some studies, vegetarians outlive non-vegetarians because of their well-balanced meal and health consciousness. While some people argue that being vegetarian is a healthier and more humane choice, others believe that it is not necessarily better than a diet that includes meat.

When asked what being vegetarian meant to me in the past, my thoughts depicted leaf eating hippies protesting for PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals). Over the years I’ve become more open minded, and increased my education on the definition of a true vegetarian. A vegetarian is defined as an individual who excludes meat and sometimes other animal products from their everyday diet. The reasons for becoming vegetarian vary. Reasons may be health, moral, or environmentally related. Some may choose to adopt the diet later in life; others may be born into it and carry it on throughout their lifetime. I consider my own diet semi- or flexitarian, meaning I choose to limit my meat consumption to four or less times a week. My decision is based on the healthier eating aspect and my own care for animals. The reason I chose this topic was to increase my knowledge of the healthy lifestyle I call my own, and hopefully influence others to limit their meat consumption as well. I believe a more plant-based diet would benefit everyone’s well-being, generally promote a healthier lifestyle, and reduce the amount of animals being raised and slaughtered. Vegetarianism is not a newly developed concept; the plant-based way of eating has been around a very long time.