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Negatives Of Vegetarianism

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Cutting off meat from one’s diet comes with many benefits. For example, energy matters: eating meat is “far less energy efficient than relying on a vegetarian diet (and leaves a far greater ecological footprint),” because in the trophic levels, only 10% of energy moves with each level when an animal consumes another (Withgott PAGE NUMBER). By the time a human consumes meat, they only gain about 30% of optimal energy, versus 90% energy in a vegetarian diet (Withgott). Other benefits include lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and lower body mass index than meat eaters (Sifferlin). Likewise, there is a reduced risk of heart disease and colon, stomach, and prostate cancer (Beezhold, Le). In a cross-sectional study in Nutrition Journal, Vegetarians have been found to have less negative emotions than omnivores (Beezhold). With a vegetarian diet, there is less negative impact on physically and mentally. A few “drawbacks” to vegetarianism are a lack of protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Despite popular belief, these can all be found in plant-based foods. There are amino acids in various greens, nuts, and fruits: sprouts, broccoli, almonds, pecans, bananas, dates, etc. (Freedman). Not to mention, protein from animals can actually cause health issues for humans such as, osteoporosis and diabetes and cancer (Freedman). Beans and legumes, an assortment of fresh and dried fruit, almonds, peas, spinach, etc. all have iron (Getting). Then, vitamin B12 can be found in foods like,

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