Imagine a world where thousands of animals are being killed by vegetarians and vegans. Well, guess what? You live in that world. People become vegetarian or vegan for many reasons. One of them is to ‘spare the lives of animals’, but by estimate “…300 animals per acre—including mice, rats, moles, groundhogs, and birds—are killed for the production of vegetable and grain foods, often in gruesome ways.” We may not like these animals very much but we’re still killing them. Even if they’re not as obvious as pigs, chickens, or cows. Whereas only one animal is killed to produce grass-fed beef and no lives are taken for milking a dairy cow. "What is it that makes it OK to kill animals of the field so that we can eat [vegetables or fruits] but not pigs or chickens or cows?"
Many growing children suffering from nutrient deficiencies because of a vegetarian or vegan diet. Instead of eating meat, that contains lots of protein, which helps them feel fuller for a longer time, they’re substituting it for junk food that doesn’t satisfy the stomach for very long. “You can live on potato chips, cookies, candy and soda and still by definition be a vegetarian!” Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency for vegetarians and vegans, especially in children. “That's because iron-rich plants contain a type of iron that's harder for the body to absorb than the iron found in animal products.” If the child’s doctor doesn’t know that the child is vegetarian or vegan, they might not know to test for
Then there are people who believe that animals should have the same rights as humans and if humans can’t be killed then neither should the animals. These people come in different categories; 1. Still eat animals but rarely, 2. Vegetarian, and 3. Vegan. The people that still eat animals but rarely tend to only eat a piece of meat a week or even month. The vegetarians eat vegetables and dairy like milk, eggs, butter, yogurt, and cheese. Then there is vegan, the vegans eat no meat and no product that even relates to or comes from an animal, even though it is not killing the animal they think that it is
According to a recent poll 6 to 8 million American’s do not eat meat, fish, or poultry. From these studies, they have been researching about the effects of a vegetarian diet on the body. Compared to most meat based diets, vegetarians consume less saturated fat and cholesterol from not eating meat. Choosing this route will have a person what would be considered a better quality of life and overall good health. Research so far has shown that a vegetarian diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In recent years a study was done using different participants and the results showed that vegetarians were 25% less likely to die from heart related problem. “This is because vegetarians tend to consume more high-fiber, whole grains, and legumes which have a low glycemic index and the body digests slowly. This keeps blood sugar levels steady. Another food item that helps reduce the risk of heart disease is walnuts” (Sixwise). This is because the omega-3s in walnuts help reduce total cholesterol. There is some controversy over this specific topic, thus, are they really that healthy? What does it mean to be a vegetarian, and what do professionals have to say about being a vegetarian?
about the well-being of animals. Despite popular belief and heresy, a vegan diet is a
Few factors are as important to human health than one’s diet. A poor diet can have devastating effects to one’s health and well-being. For this reason, there are some key components the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Department of Agriculture, suggest be part of one's eating pattern. These key components include a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy or soy, a variety of protein foods, and oils. They also suggest limiting intakes of saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and sodium. Overall, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines suggest that it is not necessarily about each and every individual food or beverage item that is consumed, but how that plays into an entire “eating pattern” and how everyone can make small shifts within their eating pattern to maintain a healthier life and decrease chances of developing a chronic disease. With all of these factors in mind, a diet that claims to be healthier, better for the environment, and help lower chances of disease is the vegetarian diet. There are many arguments for and against vegetarianism however, some of which are contrasting views of the same point. benefits. Because diet is such a key component of human health and wellness, for anyone considering the vegetarian diet, it is important to analyze these contrasting arguments.
Many people on specialize diets are doing it wrong and it could ultimately end in their deaths. A lot of people in the world do not know the right amount of vitamins and minerals the human body requires to function. Without the proper nutrition the body needs, the body could possibly shut down. People should do extensive research before starting a new diet. A lot of unique and new specialized diets has surfaced in the world. Diets like, gluten free diet, vegan diet, juicing, the purple diet, and the raw diet are very popular and people need to be very cautious when starting one of these diets because these diets might not be for everyone.
Albert Einstein once wrote “Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” The consumption of meat is commonly considered to be a natural aspect of human behavior, however in our modern era, more and more people turn away from meat based diets. This dietary shift proposes the question “which diet and lifestyle is healthier?” Personally, I live off of a predominantly vegan but strictly vegetarian diet (I do consume some animal byproducts, however I generally avoid these when possible). Because of this, I have a high level of interest in whether or not my dietary choices are healthiest for my body. I know that there are definitely some benefits to avoiding the consumption of meat, but I always wonder which diet is officially healthier and what are the benefits and drawbacks of each. I’m well aware of both sides of the argument, and although morally vegetarians make a much more compelling point, are their decisions actually the healthiest? My goals for this paper is to expand my understanding on the health side of these polar diets. Although I have my personal opinions on which diet is superior I want to see the facts. The majority of my research will revolve around the connection of these two diets to increased or decreased likelihood for diseases, the differences in vitamins and proteins attainable through each, the effects on quality and length of
The consumption of meat has always been the most common form of receiving the needed nutrition, of an average body, in order to acquire and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Although packed with an abundance of proteins, iron, and amino-acids, meat has recently received a negative reputation of becoming detrimental to your health; titled a leading source of heart disease, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and even impotence. In result, countless individuals have sought a solution reserving to methods such as vegetarianism to obtain such needed nutrient with little to no health risks. Similar to meat eaters, vegetarians seek an equal nutritional diet without the consumption of any meat or animal products with the belief of avoiding health diseases prevalent in meat eaters. Becoming a vegetarian does not necessarily mean an individual follows a healthier diet, but then again, neither does being a meat-eater; so what benefits are linked with each diet, is there a difference in cost, and how is one distinguishable from the other in the long run?
There are many types of vegetarians. Some of them cannot eat some kinds of meat like white meat, for example chicken or fish. The latter is the type of ovo-lacto vegetarians. These kind of vegetarians never eat meat and meat products because they are against breaking the rules of nature. People need protein tol ive a healthy life. So, there are two reasons we need to pay attention to this subject. One of the important reason is the Festival of Sacrifice. There can be many bad memories of the vegetarians belonging to their childhood. During the Feast of Sacrifice we must be careful for cutting the victims away from the children because we need to prevent them from seeing the process. Another reason is the benefits of thee meat. It is a very good food source for children especially for protein supplements.
The idea that vegetarianism is becoming more popular for many people; particularly because of the harm that some people believe meat can cause to the body and because of the health benefit that vegetarianism has to offer. Twenty years ago, people doubted the effects of becoming a vegetarian because vegetarian diet has been assumed that it lacks the essential nutrients needed by our body such as: protein, iron, zinc, calcium, fatty acids, and iodine. Some people also thought that the vegetarian diet makes people physically weak compared to people who are eating non-vegetarian diet. However, new studies shows that deficiencies to the mentioned nutrients are caused by poor meal planning. A well-balanced vegetarian diets are appropriate to all stages of life like: children, adolescents, elderly, and even competitive athletes (Leitzmann, 2005). The reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet often go beyond the nutritional supplement it provides, and among them includes economical concerns, weight loss, decrease risks of certain diseases, and protection against certain cancers. These c are some of the benefits of a well-balanced vegetarian diet can offer compared to the non-vegetarian diet that most people prefer.
If you have flesh out of the menu, then you are fed - the most common question is addressed to the supporters of this type of diet. Here's the answer.
Being a vegan means one does not consume any animal products. This includes eggs, dairy, honey, as well as meat. Vegans also tend to not use all commodities that have even a trace of animal product in them. This is most common in beauty products such as face creams or hair masks, which normally use milk or honey. Being vegan contrasts with being a vegetarian considering a vegetarian simply does not consume meat. There are also various forms of vegetarians such as pescatarians who do not eat meat, but instead eat fish along with dairy, eggs, etc. Vegan and vegetarian habits have become well known as the years progress simultaneously, it has been proven through abundant studies that the reasoning for becoming vegan or vegetarian is flourishing as well. For example, vegan and vegetarian lifestyles can allow one to become healthier through learning to eat correctly and can, therefore, assist with weight loss. These habits can further help one live longer as they reduce the possibility of various diseases and cancers. This is demonstrated throughout the article “Beyond Meatless, the Health Effects of Vegan Diets: Findings from the Adventist Cohorts,” written by Lap Tai Le and Joan Sabaté.
The health benefits of vegetarianism is one of the principal reasons why people decide to transfer into this new lifestyle. The practice decreases the chance of many illnesses. As vegetarianism provides an abundance of fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals, the typical vegetarian has a great amount of white blood cells, strengthening the immune system. This reduces the chance of diseases because the white blood cells fight the diseases caused by pathogens. The white blood cells destroy these organisms, and thus, prevent the illness. If these blood cells are reduced, the immune system is exposed. This practise makes a huge contribution to the health of humans. Additionally, meat consumption raises the chance of many diseases, such as cancer.
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.
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet (Albert Einstein)”.The vegetarian diet has been proposed by many, from philosophers like Plato and Nietzsche to political leaders such as Benjamin Franklin and Gandhi, and modern idols like Paul McCartney and Bob Marley. Science also supports the vegetarian diet, there are many studies demonstrating its health benefits. Being "vegetarian" means not eating any animal products, including all kinds of fish, or poultry. Vegetarians who consume eggs and milk or milk products are called "ovo-lacto-vegetarians" (ovo = egg, lacto = milk). Those who completely avoid all animal products are called pure vegetarians or "vegans." It has been shown that ovo-lacto-vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters and vegans are healthier than ovo-lacto-vegetarians. Vegetarians have a lower risk of hypertension, asthma, diabetes, Biliary and Renal stone disease, and Osteoporosis.
The vegetarian diet has become very popular in today’s culture. Likewise, veganism has also seen a significant rise in popularity, and by extension, these diets have also seen a significant rise in popularity within the teen population. Given the importance of proper nutrition in our daily lives, and the advancements in science and medicine, more specifically the gains in knowledge through the study of nutrition, one might assume that a link exists between the rise in popularity of the vegetarian diet and advances within the field of nutrition. However, temporarily relegate the aforementioned assumption to the background, and it becomes clear that the motivation to change our fundamental diet to that which is trending in popularity varies. Accordingly, is this rise in popularity of the vegetarian diet just another fad diet like many before it, or are these diets really healthy and beneficial? Through reading articles and opinions on vegetarian diets, what becomes clear is that people become vegetarian or vegan for differing reasons. For some, the decision to become a vegetarian is a principled, ethical decision based on an aversion to harming animals. For others, this may be for economic, ecological, or social concerns. Alternatively, others make a decision to change their diet based on a health-conscious determination, while some others make the decision to change their diet based merely on what is currently trending in popularity. However, it is also absolutely necessary for those following a vegetarian diet to be conscious of all the nutrients their body requires, to be fully aware of the possible negative impact of a strict vegetarian diet, as well as to carefully plan their diet to adequately meet all the body’s nutritional requirements.