The Importance Of The Vegetarian Diet

“Against Meat” by Jonathon Safran Foer (2009, New York Times Magazine) is intended to educate current non-vegetarians on what vegetarianism is, the benefits of it in terms of health and animal rights, and also the struggles of consistently being a vegetarian. Although Foer does not specifically express what a vegetarian is we can assume he is going off the generally known definition of a person who does not consume the meat of an animal, as oppose to a vegan who does not consume any animal products at all. According to an article about vegetarian Americans, 5% or 16 million Americans classify themselves as vegetarian in 2015, compared to the 1% back in 2009, making vegetarianism a growing trend throughout the US (Raw Food World). Foer proves his opinion on vegetarianism by backing it up with facts from the USDA and his own personal experiences with his babysitter, growing up struggling with being a vegetarian that loves meat, and the decision to marry and raise his child vegetarian. Foer does, however, have a few gaps in his argument about nutrition, the costs associated with vegetarianism, and the lack of a definition of vegetarian.

“You are what you eat”, a famous saying says. If this were truly the case, then the majority of Americans would be unhealthy, chemically processed, commercially grown slabs of animal meat. And although this is not a particularly pleasing thought, it is the epitome of a standard American diet that consists of Big Macs and Taco Bell. There are a select few who stray from this typical diet, and have altered it to where they can substitute meat with other nutrients. This type of diet is called vegetarianism, and is considered the way to live without poisoning oneself with the harmful and hazardous treatment that animals go through before becoming the next meal on your plates. While vegetarianism was once thought to be a movement without much action,

Dr. Michael Greger provides an eye-opening statistic regarding the link between health and nutrition when he states that, “The #1 killer in the US – heart disease – was found to be almost nonexistent in populations with diets centered around whole plant foods” (“Greger”). Even though the idea that a plant-based diet is the best option for many reasons, many groups still passionately contest it. However, recent research in nutritional and environmental science has established that a more plant-based, or vegetarian, lifestyle is the way society needs to go. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines vegetarian as, “one who eats no meat” (715). Society is showing a trend towards more people adopting plant-based eating. This trend can be seen playing out in the popular media via celebrities who openly discuss their vegetarian lifestyle choices and also in popular television shows whose characters talk about being vegetarian in the dialogue of show.

In the totality of the United States, there are around 7.3 million people that identify as a vegetarian. Although that may seem like a lot, that’s only approximately 3.2 percent of the nationwide population (“Vegetarianism in America”). Alternatively, that means that nearly 319 million people in America eat meat, and a lot of meat at that. Studies show that the average American eats almost 275 lbs of meat every year (ProCon). However, it’s been proven again and again by numerous studies that meat isn’t necessary for a balanced, nutritious diet but rather can be quite detrimental to humans and modern day society (Walker). Vegetarianism should be the globally accepted diet because of the numerous health benefits, a lessened impact on the environment,

Vegetarianism and veganism have become a widely accepted and practiced lifestyle over the past couple years. “According to a Harris Interactive study commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, approximately five percent of the U.S. is vegetarian (close to 16 million people) and about half of these vegetarians are vegan” (Is 2014 the Year of the Vegan?). That means that the number of vegetarians has doubled over the past 7 years. Due to increased awareness, one can assume that this number is only going to continue growing. Many people ask “Why would I ever go vegan?” Choosing to go vegan is not only a way to better a person’s health, but also, to help the animals, the environment, and the people of the world.

Paul McCartney (1975) had said: “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” Recently, to be a vegetarian is still a controversial issue that attracts people’s attention, so the word “vegetarian” frequently appears on TV advertisement, restaurants or markets. As its name suggests, vegetarian defines someone who lives on a diet of vegetables, fruits, dairy and nuts and they reject eating meat or any products of slaughter. Human used to be the meat-eater, people believed meat gives us protein, also strength; however,

With just 3.2 percent of Americans eating a vegetarian diet, 0.5 of them being vegan, consuming animal products is part of an everyday culture in the United States (“Vegetarianism in America”). Choosing to not consume animals may be seen as strange and unhealthy. Vegan and Vegetarian diets may be seen as restrictive because people are often misinformed about the lifestyle. During a course of one year, the average person will consume thirty-one land animals (Livestock Slaughter 2000...); on average, a vegan or vegetarian will save approximately thirty-four (Zacharias). Our bodies do not need animal products to function properly; by consuming animals, people are deteriorating the environment and their bodies. The choices a person makes in

Vegetarianism, is it just a fad, or will it continue to cultivate and grow more mainstream than it is today? All signs are indicating that it will, indeed, continue to grow. “As many as 3.2% to 6% of the U.S. adult population is a vegetarian” (Parker 1). If one loves life, why not try vegetarianism? Having a vegetarian diet not only saves animals, but also improves health and uses less of our planet’s diminishing resources.

Dietary habits have been influenced and changed throughout the years all over the world. Diets impact one’s health drastically, and could affect lives in the long run if not taken seriously. From observation of those experimenting with different dietary habits, such as the “cleanliness” of going vegan or cutting out the carnivorous acts of eating meat by going either vegetarian or piscatorial, they are malnourishing and depriving themselves of the vitamins and proteins an all-around diet such as a paleo diet can provide. Health and Fitness magazines boasts about how much cleaner one’s body can be if they were to just stop consuming meat and ate only natural vegetables, are neglecting the danger the person can be in if they began to involve themselves in intense physical activity. Society deserves to know the true and false myths behind each type of diet such as vegan, vegetarian, paleo, and the standard western diet. Although, web articles and books claim to have the best diet against all others, their research and evidence are completely biased. There are tons of people becoming victim to these publications telling everything they want to hear without telling both sides of each diet. This research paper will investigate the true benefits and falls of each type of diet so that those brainwashed by commercial advertising know the truth.

To begin, vegetarianism provides great betterment to an individual’s health and lifestyle. Meat eating in itself is an interesting paradox. Most people claim to love animals, as evidenced by the popularity of dogs, cats and other pets, as well as the outcry to protect endangered species. However, the cow in comparison is seen as little more than a medium to obtain milk and beef from the grocery store. Vegetarians are

About 75 million are vegetarian of choice and an approximate that there is more than a half a billion of them. The figure that will slowly multiply with growing wealth and culture (Leahy et al 2). A vegetarian nourishment may play an advantageous role in health and avoiding obesity. Vegetarianism encompasses a spectrum of eating patterns: from people who wish to be known as ‘vegetarians ' regardless including some animal meat in their meals, but meats products should be omitted such as fish and fowl from a vegetarian dish (Lea and Worsley 505). Even though some people may be in contradiction of vegetarianism, it is a lifestyle and a diet that many follow and it is advantageous because it corresponds to religions, ethics, and has health

The different types of people in this world all have different interests, beliefs, tastes, and opinions, especially when it comes to food. Vegetarianism has become the most popular diet among the young generation. However, many Americans widely misunderstand that all types of vegetarian diets are healthy and provide a substantial amount of nutrients to our body. Veganism is a lifestyle that eliminates the intake of meat, dairy, and eggs. Vegans eat plant-based foods, such as grains, beans, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Furthermore, there are many vegan substitutes such as soy milk, non-dairy milk, and tofu. Vegetarianism is a type of diet that eliminates meat such as chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, lobster or any other animal or seafood for moral, religious, or health reasons. Vegetarians however do consume dairy products and eggs. According to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “consumption of dairy products [have] been linked to higher risk of various cancers, especially to cancers of the reproductive system” making veganism, which excludes all types of dairy products and eggs, one the healthiest diets to follow (PCRM). A vegan diet is more beneficial to the overall health than compared to other vegetarian diets because it helps prevent cancer, lowers the risk of heart disease, and promotes weight loss.

The term “vegetarian” is quite often misunderstood. Vegetarian simply means a plant-based diet. There are several kinds of vegetarian diets, defined by what types of foods are consumed. I for example am a Lacto-vegetarians which includes dairy products in their diet. Lacto-ovo- vegetarians also eat dairy products, eggs and some including me don’t eat fish either.

The people of the twenty first century have become consumed with changing their diets to be the skinniest and healthiest versions of themselves. As of 2013, 6% of US adults described themselves as vegetarian, while 7% claimed to be vegan. Veganism has proved to be one of the most restrictive and extreme ways of life, as well as a diet. By cutting out major food and nutrition groups, veganism is leaving people malnourished and weak. From the beginning of time humans have been eating using animal products, it is unhealthy to alter the natural human diet.

Abstaining from animal sources for food has been practiced for long time. Vegetarian diets can be traced back to the seventh century BC in India. The term vegetarianism was became popular after the foundation of the Vegetarian Society in 1847, in Great Britain. The International Vegetarian Union was later founded in 1908.