Eating Green - The Benefits Of Being Vegetarian

Albert Einstein once said, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” By this, Einstein meant that the many benefits of vegetarianism lay in both our body’s and environment’s health. The vegetarian diet is a healthier option than many of the modern Western-country diets seen today. The meat-free life gives you more energy and prevents disease. It aids against world hunger. It even saves animals’ lives and is environment-friendly.

However, what exactly is vegetarianism? Vegetarianism, by definition, is the abstaining from eating animal flesh, and someone who practices vegetarianism is called a vegetarian. There are, also, different kinds of vegetarians. Semi- or demi- vegetarians avoid red meat, but eat fish, and sometimes poultry. (Bioethics, Encyclopedia of) Lacto-ovo vegetarians avoid meat, but will still eat eggs and dairy products like cheese and yogurt. Vegans, also called 'total vegetarians', avoid all animal products, including honey. (Encyclopedia, Environmental) In addition to not consuming animal products, many vegetarians will not wear slaughter-house by-products, such as leather. (Bioethics, Encyclopedia of) Some people are vegetarians because it’s just how they were raised. Some cultures and religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, favor vegetarian diets. However, many people make the choice to become vegetarian for the numerous benefits. (Encyclopedia, Environmental)

Most likely, the most well-known benefit of going vegetarian is health. The ADA, American Dietetic Association, an organization of food and nutrition professionals, has officially stated that eating vegetarian is a healthful lifestyle choice. In a food chain, energy is passed between organisms. Plants, which get their energy from the sun and nutrients in the soil, are eaten by animals (such as cows and chickens). Then, humans eat the animal. However, as the energy is passed, the organism only receives a small portion of the energy from what it ate. Some vegetarians believe that if we skip the part of animals eating the plants, and we just directly eat them, we’ll get more energy from our food. In addition, plant and water-based foods have plenty of anti-oxidants, which can act as anti-agers. (“Are There Any Benefits of Being a Vegetarian?”)

Furthermore, not eating meat can prevent diseases. Meat is a major source of saturated fats and cholesterol, which are closely related to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, rectal cancer and prostate cancer. While poultry and fish are lower in fat and cholesterol than red meat, they are still tied to illnesses. Poultry is a major source of salmonella and other harmful bacteria. (Encyclopedia, Environmental) Toxins and dangerous metals can be found in the meat of water-dwelling creatures through metals that make their way into the groundwater and waterways. (Dana Meachen Rau, 37) According to William Cstelli, MD, director for the Farmingham Heart Study, vegetarians can live up to 3-6 years longer than meat-eaters since their bodies are less riddled with toxins and chemicals.

Unfortunately, some people are convinced that with a vegetarian diet, you don’t receive all the nutrients you need. The main concerns are: protein, amino acids, B12 (a vitamin that aids the brain and nervous system), and iron. However, vegetarians can still get all of these nutrients without eating meat. Protein can be supplied in nuts; seeds; cheese, Greek yogurt, and eggs (if they’re not vegan); and legumes. Legumes, which are filling like meat, include tofu and soy products, such as soybeans. Amino acids can be included by combining complementary amino acids (like beans and rice). B12 is only found in animal foods. If a vegetarian doesn’t include dairy and eggs in their diet, they can eat fortified foods (such as enriched cereals and soy milk) or take a B12 supplement. (“Food and Nutrition”) Iron, found primarily in red meat, can instead be supplied through legumes and beans. (“Are There Any Benefits of Being a Vegetarian?”)

Another benefit of vegetarianism is the potential aid in world hunger. If we used the many resources we use to feed livestock, we could help the over 900 million people considered undernourished worldwide. 95% of US grains, 97% of legumes, and 66% of fish caught in American waters go to feeding livestock. A cow has to eat 16 pounds of grain and soybeans to produce a single pound of feedlot beef. A pig must eat 7.5 pounds of protein to produce one pound of pork protein. This is a huge waste of food that could be fed to people going hungry. Furthermore, cattle alone use a quarter of the earth’s land. This land could be more beneficial if it was converted to cropland. It is estimated that the land that is required to feed one meat eater could feed 15-20 vegetarians. (Encyclopedia, Environmental) This means if we used grazing land to grow crops instead, we could have more food, and, in turn, feed more people.

Some vegetarians don’t eat meat in order to help the environment. Vegetarianism has been associated with a more peaceful life in harmony with natural laws and principles. (“Vegetarianism”) One of the biggest reasons the consumption of meat is harming the earth is climate change. Climate change is caused by harmful gases in the atmosphere. The official handbook of Live Earth claims that not eating meat is the “single most effective thing you can do” to help decrease your impact on climate change. This is because of gases released in livestock manure, production of livestock feed, fertilizers used in growing feed, meat production and transportation of the animal products.

In addition to climate change, too much grazing leads to desertification. The animals trample the ground and cause erosion. Also, excess livestock waste is kept in large waste lagoons. These lagoons can seep into the local water systems, causing pollution. Furthermore, livestock account for a huge use of water (for them to drink, clean equipment and, most of all, irrigate feed crops). It takes a lot more water to produce a pound of beef than of grain. Moreover, huge nets of fishing boats take a negative toll on underwater environments. The nets can scoop up endangered species and destroy reefs. Overfishing can wipe an animal out of an ecosystem altogether. (Dana Meachen Rau, 17-19)

Many vegetarians also disagree with how animals are treated. In America, the high demand for meat results in farms that run more like factories, called CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). The animals in CAFOs are in cramped, overworking conditions and don’t have sunshine, exercise, or the ability to engage in natural behaviors. (Encyclopedia, Environmental) Thousands of chickens are crowded in sheds and are bred to have huge breasts. They’re crowded so that they cannot move (and, therefore, can’t lose weight) and sometimes get so heavy that they cannot walk. Hogs are so stuffed, farmers must immobilize the sows so that they don’t accidentally roll onto their own piglets. Cows can be so crammed that they trample the ground and stand in their own thick waste, which can get on their fur and into their food. In addition, farmers give these animals growth hormones (to fatten them) and antibiotics (to prevent disease). From the factory farms, the animals are shipped to a slaughter-house. Here, they are stunned, hung and carved into meat.

Some non-vegetarians may disagree with the treatment of animals, but still want to eat meat, so they buy “free range” or “pasture raised” labeled meat. However, labels can be deceptive. “For example, even though a “cage free” chicken may not be kept in a cage, it still may be crowded with other chickens in a shed.” However, most vegetarians believe the animals shouldn’t be killed at all. (Dana Meachen Rau, 21-24) They don’t think our taste preferences alone can justify killing. (Bioethics, Encyclopedia of) By not eating meat, vegetarians try to lower the demand for meat, and, maybe, help the conditions of the animals’ lives.

In conclusion, a vegetarian diet is very good for the environment and your personal health. While this doesn’t mean everybody should be forced to become vegetarian, studies show that it is very good for you and the earth. It prevents illness and provides your needed nutrients. It helps feed the hungry. It benefits the environment and saves lives of animals. There are many benefits of not eating meat, but will you make the switch to better yourself and the world around you?