A vegetarian is a person who does not consume any type of meat product. The reasons that people choose to have this type of diet can be for many different reasons, but they are often related to morals, health, or religion. The vegetarian diet has come underneath quite a bit of fire in the recent years, arguers believe that vegetarians cannot get the necessary supply of vitamins and minerals without meat incorporated in their diet. However, supporters of vegetarianism point out time and time again all of the ways that they receive the same things that meat eaters do. Is choosing a vegetarian diet truly a good health choice, or should it be something to steer clear of?
Advantages of Being a Vegetarian
1. Animals Don’t Have To Die
One of the biggest reasons that a person decides to become a vegetarian is because of the treatment of animals. They feel as if it is unethical to kill innocent animals for food when there are plenty of other options available to give us nutrition. Theoretically, if the entire world became vegetarians, then no more animals would die at the hands of humans.
2. It’s A Complete Diet
The body requires certain amounts of specific minerals, vitamins, and nutrients in order to function properly. Protein is a big one of these. Most people are under the assumption that the only source of protein we have access to is meat, but this is simply untrue. Things like beans, nuts, and soy can all provide a vegetarian with the protein that they need to function.
3. Great Health Benefits
Meat, while it gives us protein, it gives us some other things as well, and not nearly as pleasant. Many different health problems can be spurred on or even caused by the consumption of meat. Some of these include heart disease, gout, colon cancer, and gastrointestinal problems. Another great thing of being a vegetarian is the simple fact that instead of indulging in fattening meats and meat centered meals, you will begin to consume more fruits, vegetables, and other health effective things.
4. You Save Water!
Water is deeply involved in every single part of the food chain, including the animals that we consume. It takes nearly 700 gallons of water just to produce a single pound of chicken, you could only imagine how much an entire cow would take! Being a vegetarian conserves a great deal of water. This is a benefit to the entire planet.
Disadvantages of Being a Vegetarian
1. It’s The Circle of Life
The food chain exists for a pretty good reason. Animals kill in order to feed themselves, and humans are no different at all. Eating meat is a natural part of life, and it provides great benefits to the people who consume it as well as the animals. Over population is a large problem, and eating meat helps to ease this problem.
2. Deficiencies Aren’t Good
There are some types of vitamins and minerals that can only be obtained through animal meats. One of these is the vitamin B-12, which provides benefits to the entire body. Some of the other types of things that can only be obtained through the consumption of meat such as omega-3 fats and other omega fatty acids, all of which play vital roles in the body’s functions.
3. Best Source of Protein
Protein is what give our body the energy that it needs to move, breathe, and do just about everything. Trying to find adequate alternatives to protein can be time consuming, expensive, and quite frankly, un appetizing. Animal products, like meat, are readily available, cost effective, simple to prepare, and quite tasty as well.
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Important Facts About Being a Vegetarian
