By: Reagan Webster
Many people argue that meat is a more convenient way for people to receive nutrients like iron and protein quickly but is it really the best source? Studies show that the risk of colon and rectal cancer may be increased when eating red meats because of the iron found there. For these and many other reasons people should become vegetarian, it is a healthier diet and is also better for the environment and animals.
Nutritional Factors
There are many nutritional benefits of a vegetarian diet rather than a meat based diet. According to a 1999 study vegetarians have a 24% lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Vegetarian diets also reduce the risk of kidney stones and gallstones and the risk of type 2 diabetes is higher in a meat based diet. Also, vegetarians have a forty percent lower risk of developing cancer. Overall meat based diets have a higher risk of health problems in general. The United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that “You can get enough protein from a vegetarian diet as long as the variety and amounts of foods consumed are adequate” (USDA 8). Vegetarian diets also have a healthier form of iron and can have the same nutrients and health benefits.
Environmental Factors
Vegetarian diet also conserve water because to produce one pound of beef it takes 2,500 gallons of water however it takes only about 180 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat flour. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization also stated that raising livestock creates 18% more global greenhouse gases. Space for animals to graze and room to raise crops for their food also causes deforestation which hurts the animals in the surrounding areas and contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases. In general, vegetarian diets are better for the environment and the inhabitants thereof.
Ethical Factors
One of the major reasons that leads people to become vegetarian is the inhumane slaughter of innocent animals. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) says that animals must be knocked unconscious but small birds such as chickens are exempt from these laws and many slaughter houses ignore these laws. Also, many animals are raised in confinement just to be slaughtered when they are big enough. “CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) now produce more than 50 percent of our food animals” (UCS 2). This means that 50% of the livestock raised as food for humans lives in small cramped spaces with many other animals. Animals are still living beings who have feelings and can experience fear and pain just as much as humans can. In the United States millions of cows, pigs and bird are slaughtered each year. The issue is that we can justify raising millions of animals each year just to slaughter them so that we can have the food that we prefer.
Religious Factors
Many vegetarians also make this decision because of their religion. For example, in Jainism being vegetarian is mandatory. In other religions vegetarianism is strongly encouraged but not strictly enforced. Many other religions also support and enforce vegetarian.
Different people become vegetarian for different reasons including nutritional, ethical, religious and environmental factors. It is not fair to you, the animals or the future inhabitants of this planet to justify eating meat with all the negative effects on animals, the planet, and your body. Being vegetarian is a healthier diet and is a better plan for animals and the environment.
Many people argue that meat is a more convenient way for people to receive nutrients like iron and protein quickly but is it really the best source? Studies show that the risk of colon and rectal cancer may be increased when eating red meats because of the iron found there. For these and many other reasons people should become vegetarian, it is a healthier diet and is also better for the environment and animals.
Nutritional Factors
There are many nutritional benefits of a vegetarian diet rather than a meat based diet. According to a 1999 study vegetarians have a 24% lower risk of heart attack and stroke. Vegetarian diets also reduce the risk of kidney stones and gallstones and the risk of type 2 diabetes is higher in a meat based diet. Also, vegetarians have a forty percent lower risk of developing cancer. Overall meat based diets have a higher risk of health problems in general. The United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans says that “You can get enough protein from a vegetarian diet as long as the variety and amounts of foods consumed are adequate” (USDA 8). Vegetarian diets also have a healthier form of iron and can have the same nutrients and health benefits.
Environmental Factors
Vegetarian diet also conserve water because to produce one pound of beef it takes 2,500 gallons of water however it takes only about 180 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat flour. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization also stated that raising livestock creates 18% more global greenhouse gases. Space for animals to graze and room to raise crops for their food also causes deforestation which hurts the animals in the surrounding areas and contributes to the increase of greenhouse gases. In general, vegetarian diets are better for the environment and the inhabitants thereof.
Ethical Factors
One of the major reasons that leads people to become vegetarian is the inhumane slaughter of innocent animals. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) says that animals must be knocked unconscious but small birds such as chickens are exempt from these laws and many slaughter houses ignore these laws. Also, many animals are raised in confinement just to be slaughtered when they are big enough. “CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) now produce more than 50 percent of our food animals” (UCS 2). This means that 50% of the livestock raised as food for humans lives in small cramped spaces with many other animals. Animals are still living beings who have feelings and can experience fear and pain just as much as humans can. In the United States millions of cows, pigs and bird are slaughtered each year. The issue is that we can justify raising millions of animals each year just to slaughter them so that we can have the food that we prefer.
Religious Factors
Many vegetarians also make this decision because of their religion. For example, in Jainism being vegetarian is mandatory. In other religions vegetarianism is strongly encouraged but not strictly enforced. Many other religions also support and enforce vegetarian.
Different people become vegetarian for different reasons including nutritional, ethical, religious and environmental factors. It is not fair to you, the animals or the future inhabitants of this planet to justify eating meat with all the negative effects on animals, the planet, and your body. Being vegetarian is a healthier diet and is a better plan for animals and the environment.