Is a vegetarian diet healthier than a meat eating diet? Becoming vegetarian certainly has pros because of its potential health benefits. However, becoming vegetarian also has its cons because it can cause the human body to become deficient on some of the body’s needs such as iron. With that, there are many advantages and disadvantages to vegetarianism that could make or break the choice of becoming one.
A vegetarian lifestyle is known to provide the body with many health benefits. According to “Becoming a Vegetarian,” “Compared with meat eaters, vegetarians tend to consume less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and phytochemicals (plant chemicals), such as carotenoids
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This is not only for the nutritional needs, but to make sure the dieter is not consuming fats in replace of the nutritional diet. In this case, it all comes down to the proper diet being enforced. Becoming a vegetarian, but consuming fat cakes would not be benefiting vegetarianism. However enforcing the appropriate diet would indeed benefit the body because as “Should People Become” says, “According to a peer-reviewed 2003 Oxford University study of 37,875 healthy men and women aged 20-97, 5.4% of meat eaters were obese compared to 3% of vegetarians. Meat eaters had an average Body Mass Index (BMI) 8.3% higher than vegetarians.” With that, it can be seen that vegetarianism in general, causes the dieter’s body mass index to be lower than a meat-eating dieter. This is because of eating healthier food with lower calories and maintaining a strict diet.
On the contrary, following a vegetarian diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Vegetarians consume proteins through legumes and nuts, but these items often fall short of providing the body with its imperative needs (Stein et. al.). A complete protein source like animal products, give the body amino acids that are essential. Protein is needed for the body in order to build/repair tissues and have strong bones, muscles and more. Yes, protein can be consumed through other food choices, however those choices do not fulfill the body with a
Meals with more fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of several different cancers among many other diseases. Vegetarians generally have lower body weight than those who eat a significant amount of meat.
Some people choose a vegetarian diet for ethical and environmental reasons and some choose to be vegetarian because of food safety issues.
Vegetarianism is more efficient from production to consumption because there is less waste and the ratio of energy intake compared to gross production is much greater for plants than animals. Meat prices more drastically compared to those of fruits and veggies. You can grow your own fruits and veggies in your backyard with relatively little space and resources compared to trying to raise your own livestock. Vegetarianism may lead to a deficinacy of vitamins and minerals including iron, B-12, and protein. You can also be lacking in calories in general and may be more tired because many vegetarian foods are not as calorie dense. Eating vegetarian can also be difficult depending on where you live.
Antioxidants and thousands of phytochemicals that protect the body and support good health. Overall vegetarians have a longer life expectancy and lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and the list goes on. But don’t just take my word for it, supports for vegetarian diets comes from numerous organizations including the American cancer society, American College of Cardiology, the Mayo Clinic, Harvard School of public and, the national institutes of Health which says, “Vegetarians may be missing out on grilled hamburgers at picnics, but they tend to also miss out on the major health problems that plagued many Americans”. Just look at the difference in heart disease the number one killer of American, which is twice its size, between those who eat meat and those who are vegetarian. The progression of some of the diseases can not only be halted but reversed in as little as just two to three weeks by switching to a plant based diet. Reducing and eliminating the consumption of meat and meat products with a greener diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts seed and whole grains will lead to a healthier world.
There are many reasons why people become vegetarians, but is it really as healthy as it seems. Can simply eating veggies supply you with all the vitamins and proteins your body needs to survive. An estimated 6-8 million people do not eat meat, poultry, or fish. Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, July 2009).Having your diet mainly consist of fruits and vegetables allows you to consume less saturated fats and cholesterol. Also since you be consuming more plants you will be taking in mote vitamins like vitamins C and E, More fiber, potassium and magnesium. Resulting in a stronger immune system, as well as, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. “Traditionally, vegetarianism focused mainly on potential nutritional deficiencies, but in recent years, the pendulum has swung the other way, and studies are confirming the health benefits of meat-free eating. Nowadays, plant-based eating is recognized as not only nutritionally sufficient but also as a way to reduce the risk for many chronic illnesses”.
For me, my biggest benefit has been my energy and weight loss. Since becoming vegetarian, I have lost twenty pounds and I do not feel out of breath from walking up a couple flights of stairs. There is a large portion of research based on the effects that meatless diets have on our bodies. In her book, The Vegetable Passion, Jan Yager mentions some of the main benefits. She elaborates on how plants provide vital nutrients, fibers, and vitamins needed in our daily diet. She also discusses how our bodies’ need for protein. Without these proteins, it would be impossible for our bodies to create new tissues, or even function normally. She goes on to talk about the misconception that the only source of protein is meat. Spinach, nuts, and, most cereals give almost as much protein per serving as a serving of meat (Barkas 168). And what most people do not know, a lot of tofu contains protein and if I know vegetarians, we all love
Being a vegetarian can be difficult for many. It could be tough getting protein if one cannot eat the meat they’ve eaten all their lives. For example, “Humans are taxonomically omnivorous and meat provides several essential nutrients unavailable in plant sources. Meat is specifically valuable as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, protein and highly bioavailable iron” (Bat & Fayaz). Although nuts carry plenty of nutrients and protein, they have very small serving sizes and many are allergic. As well, people can be very picky, which would be hard for someone to receive their daily nutrients if they do not like foods such as beans or tofu which many vegetarians rely on for their protein. Although these alternatives do supply protein, sometimes it is not enough, and vegetarians have to consume supplements such as protein pills to grasp their missing nutrients.
The few things that vegetarians are able to eat are vegetables, fruits, and some other things such as carbohydrates. They try to avoid any meat, poultry, fish, eggs or dairy products, unless they are lacto-vegetarians which in that case they can eat dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. When you contrast a meat-eater and a vegetarian you will notice how they differentiate in ways, for instance their life-span. Unlike meat-eaters, vegetarians are known to have a longer life-span. Being a vegetarian provides many benefits for the health of a person. One of them include improving and boosting up their mood. A lot of people may ask, why go vegetarian? Well, being one is great for you. You’ll keep your weight down, build strong bones, and you’ll have more energy. As well as all these advantages, there are many bad effects of being a vegetarian. One of them is a high risk of colorectal cancer, which is a cancer that starts in the colon.
The Vegetarian/Vegan diet is a very intense debate right now. There are so many people and organizations involved in the fight, and it gets very biased very quickly. On the one side, people claim that it is healthier for us to cut meat out of our diet. While the other side claims that it is healthier to keep meat in our diet. This debate gets very confusing, very fast. When looking into the science side of things, it is said that the human body needs meat and the nutrients that we receive from meat, which is why the vegetarian diet is not as healthy as it seems.
While it is certainly a widespread stigma that vegetarian diets (including any diet lacking in meat or animal protein) increase risk of vitamin deficiencies, however, the American Dietetic Association has proclaimed that “appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases” (ADA 1).
less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, and are less likely to be classified as
Vegetarians are found to have more cancer,allergies and health disorders. Studies show that vegetarians are lacking in creatine which is bad for your muscles and brain functions. Meat is important for muscles mass and bone health.”I am 100% certain that a plant-based diet that includes at least a little of animals (the occasional whole egg or fatty fish, for example) will be much healthier in the long-term than a diet that eliminates animal foods completely.” A vegan diet is not healthy for your body,you will be losing a lot of your vitamins. A vegan diet is not good for both kids and adults it can be harmful and you could get very
However, being a vegetarian is not without its drawbacks. Chief amongst these is the risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs and fortified foods. Although B12 is found in some plants, research has shown that this is not bioactive, meaning the human body cannot absorb it10. Therefore strict vegetarians (i.e. vegans) must ensure they consume enough varied fortified foods to meet their daily requirements (1.4 micrograms per day for adults9) or take a vitamin B12 supplement. Vegetarians also tend to suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency11 as they rely entirely on their dairy intake to meet their dietary requirements (10mg/day9). Along with this, vegetarians must take the time to read carefully and understand food labels, can find their choices limited when eating out and often need to explain their dietary requirements to friends and family when invited to
Have you ever thought of being vegetarian? Albert Einstein once said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.." Vegetarian have been practised widely in recent years, there are about 21.9% of the world population considered as vegetarian nowadays. But is it harmful or not to our body? And is it enough for us to take enough nutrients and protein to sustain and maintain a balanced lifestyle?There are various reasons why individuals should go green, including their health, conserving environment and ethnic issue.
Previously I stated that being a vegetarian is not necessarily healthier. For those of you who do not know what a vegetarian is, it is someone who does not eat meat, fish, and some of the time no animal products. Completely cutting out meat will lower your protein and can lower your iron. There are vitamins you can take to get those needed ingredients in your