Vegetarianism is very common in all cultures, even in the cultures that base their economy and also their diet in the production of meat. However, sometimes the term is confused and it is not understood what this ideology really is about. A vegetarian diet completely excludes animal products, replacing its proteins with other ingredients (Traugh 6, 7). On the other hand, there is also the theory that when carrying out a vegetarian diet our organism stops receiving the essential proteins and amino acids that our body needs (Gillard 34). Different reasons are argued to adopt a vegetarian diet; more strongly highlighted are the ecological and ethical reasons, the nutritional or health reasons, and the economic reasons. Nonetheless, it is important to note that a vegetarian diet can brings us countless benefits as opposed to maintaining a non-vegetarian diet.
Despite all the statements made by meat consumers about conscious eating, it is shown that a vegetarian lifestyle leads us to be ethical regarding the world we live in, prevent chronic diseases and other health factors, and to reduce basic expenses.Unlike meat eaters, vegetarianism does not hurt animals, nor the environment. Vegetarianism does not agree with the unnecessary animal abuse: “When we say yes to health, we say no to harm” (Joy 84). According to Amy Francis, editor of “Vegetarianism”, farmed animals are routinely castrated, de-beaked, and de-horned without any painkiller whatsoever(85). These beings exist in conditions that would horrify even the most insensitive of us. Indeed, when we say yes to life and no to death, we also say yes to justice and no oppression (Joy 86). When adopting vegetarianism, we no longer support any unnecessary killing.
Additionally, we become conscientious objectors to the oppressive animal-eating culture. Contrasting with meat eaters, when they consume all type of meats promote their production. This results in misuse of antibiotics, abuse by employees and confinement in small cages for reproduction. At the same way, it is important to highlight the extreme abuse suffered by the animals, who have rights as well as all living beings that inhabit the earth. In addition to the damage caused in animals, the environment can also be affected. If we are what we eat, undoubtedly today we are climate change. Our diets rich in animal proteins, fed by an intensive and industrial production of meat and fish, are one of the main causes of global warming. According to a 2014 review in Climate Change, says that greenhouse gas emissions associated with 2,000-calorie diets are twice as high in meat eaters compared to vegetarian dieters (Seaman 75). In fact, vegetarian diets are also more sustainable.
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According to a life cycle assessment applied to the AHS-2 data, Seaman reported that the greenhouse gas emissions for a vegetarian diet are 41.7 percent lower compared with non-vegetarians (74). Moreover, growing fruits and vegetables produce less greenhouse gas compared with the raised of cattle or livestock (Seaman 74). It is known, that meat production creates greenhouse gas emissions because factory farm animals produce methane during food digestion and feces excretion (Gillard 53). However, vegetarians’ diets may lower greenhouse gas emissions based on nature’s soil-based carbon capture and storage As a result, this could have a beneficial impact on global warming and climate change (Sacks 59, 60).A plant-based diet is beneficial for health because it reduces the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, cancer, and high cholesterol, unlike meat eaters who are more likely to have strokes andobesity. The digestion of protein creates different toxins in our body.
According to the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, vegetarian diets help lower blood sugar (Traugh 27). Moreover, vegetables and foods high in fiber help control blood sugar by balancing the process of sugar absorption in the body. The first Adventist Health Study [(AHS-1, 1974-1988)] examined the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among 34,000 people (Palmer 173). The first study conducted in people with diabetes type 2, showed blood glucose percentages, resulting: (3.2 percent) in vegetarians and a higher percentage (7.6 percent) in non-vegetarian.
In addition, a second study in cardiovascular disease referred to vegetarian’s low levels of cholesterol and blood pressure compared to non-vegetarians. It is also proved that a vegetarian diet could help prevent cancer. Many epidemiological and clinical studies show that vegetarians have a fifty percent lower risk of dying from cancer than non-vegetarians. Similarly, the number of breast cancer cases is much lower in countries such as China, where one eats a plant-based diet (Palmer 175). Vegetarians are also less affected by colon cancer. Meat and dairy products contribute to many types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate and other organs. Colon cancer has been directly associated with the consumption of meat. Vegetarians avoid animal fat-associated with cancer-and consume a lot of fiber and vitamins, good preventatives of this disease.
The analysis of the blood of vegetarians demonstrates a higher level of leukocytes specialized in attacking cancer cells (Traugh 28, 29). “In other words, the more plant-based the diet, the greater the benefit” (Palmer 175). What you eat from the animal is usually high in fat and very low in fiber. Studies have shown that the consumption of animal-based food creates different types of toxins in our body. These toxins are eventually absorbed by our blood stream, circulating in our system, and clogging our bodies with by-products. According to Susan M. Traugh, in “Vegetarianism”, consuming excessive long-term animal fat contributes to the blockage of veinsand arteries that carry blood to the heart. As a result, cholesterol in the blood increases and in the worst case, this provokes strokes (27).
In addition, when maintaining a meat diet, the consumption of saturated and transgenic fats increases and is it more prone to obesity (Gillard 28).In addition, vegetarians do not need to spend the same amount of money and time cooking their meals. Cutting meat out from our diets can save us money. Vegetarians choose for a diet high in vegetables, fruits, grains, albumins and fiber. Most of these foods are easily accessible in terms of cost and production. Another cost benefit of a vegetarian diet is that consumers can grow their own fresh products (Null and Feldman). For example, sprouts that are extremely inexpensive to grow and can be produced anywhere, even indoors. An additional benefit of vegetarianism is the cooking time of the food. Generally, vegetables and some grains tend to cook faster making possible savings in electricity. (Null and Feldman).
On the other hand, consumers who obtain their nutrients from animal products pay for them many times over. When people eat meat always, try to look for a better quality product. This means a hormone- and antibiotic-free product (Null and Feldman). Certainly, these ‘organic meats’ have a very high cost for the benefits of ‘they are better for health’. Usually a pound of organic beef costs between 8 to 10 dollars. A very high price for such a small amount. There are also people who do not usually consume organic meat products, simply because of its high cost; even so, the price of a pound of regular beef varies between 4 to 7 dollars, proving once again that the consumption of meat affects our economy (Marks). In fact, when one cooks meat it is important to keep in mind that that these products are full of bacteria that must be removed before eating the product. That is why it is necessary to wash the meat, or to make them rest in a type of brine (Null and Feldman 78).
Then, for this process to be completed, the meat must remain for longer cooking time. This process causes more waste of water and clearly electricity. In my experience, in mycountry Bolivia, specifically in my city La Paz, where we are at 3500 meters above sea level, with a low oxygen level because of the altitude. The cooking time of food becomes eternal; especially meats. If any meat product takes long time to be cooked, in my city we doubled it.Vegetarianism follows a line of the good, the healthy, and the ethical. It is demonstrated that the benefits of a vegetarian diet goes beyond having good eating habits. This allows us to be more aware of everything that surrounds us. Compared to meat eaters who say that a good piece of steak is more nutritive than a salad.
Some worry that a vegetarian diet cannot meet the nutritional requirements of the human body. The reality is that it is easy to maintain adequate nutrition, through a vegetarian diet, which guarantees a sufficient amount of protein. For me, being a vegetarian is not just vegetables and carbohydrates. Actually, this process has been full of colors, textures, and flavors. If someone is thinking about becoming a vegetarian, it is important to be informed, be patient and perseverant. Vegetarianism is a process that at first is complicated, but if one is determined, this process becomes continuous and entertaining. To be a vegetarian is way to live a life of love and respect for all living beings and myself.
Works Cited
- Francis, Amy. Vegetarianism: Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015.
- Gillard, Arthur. Vegetarianism: Greenhaven Press, A part of Gale, Cengage Learning 2014
- .Joy, Melany. “Vegetarianism Is a Moral Decision with Many Benefits.” Vegetarianism, edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015, pp. 84-85- 86.
- Kraftson Stephanie, Pohorelsky Joana, and Myong Alex. “Overview: People Choose Their Diets Based on Personal Reasons.” Vegetarianism, edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015, pp. 27.
- Mangels, Reed. ‘Benefits of Beans in Type 2 Diabetes. “Vegetarian Journal, Apr.-June 2013, p. 27.
- Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A327983799/AONE?u=lincclin_fccj&sid=AONE&xid=05ea34ce. Accessed 26 Mar. 2018.
- Marks, Tod. “The cost of organic food.” Consumer Reports. 19 Mar. 2015, https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/cost-of-organic-food/index.htm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
- Null, Gary, and Martin Feldman. ‘Vegetarianism -part 3: the economic and taste benefits of a vegetarian diet. “ Townsend Letter, Oct. 2011, p. 52+.
- Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A269786052/AONE?u=lincclin_fccj&sid=AONE&xid=9eec5247. Accessed 25 Mar. 2018.
- Palmer, Sharon. “A Plant-Based Diet Has Impressive Benefits.” Vegetarianism, edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015, pp. 173-175.
- Sacks, D. Adam. “Cattle Can Be Used to Reverse Global Warming” Vegetarianism, edited by Amy Francis, Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2015, pp. 59-60.
- Traugh, M. Susan. Vegetarianism: Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2011.
