The Question--Personal Connection Over two years ago, both of my sister, upon viewing a documentary depicting how the meat on our plate gets there, decided to give up meat. To accommodate for my sisters since they have become vegetarians my family have made more meals that contain no meat. Finally a year ago, after some persuading, my sister convinced my parents and me to get up red meat. However, I am not sure if I should stop there. Should I become a full blown vegetarian? From what I have heard being a vegetarian has multiple pros including personal health and environment benefits, but I have also heard some negative things about giving up meat. So I wanted to decide for myself if being a vegetarian would be a good decision for me and the rest of my family. I believe that it is a great option for my family, but before making a huge decision like this I wanted to do my research. The Search Process To begin my search, I thought it was best to search for books from the Northwest Library about being a vegetarian. Most of the books about vegetarianism were cook books, but I did find one called Going Vegetarian: A Healthy Guide to Making the Switch by Dana Meachen Rau. The book contains good information about making the switch from being a meat eater to a vegetarian. After finding a book, I thought I should some of the …show more content…
basic benefits and cons of becoming a vegetarian. From the Nestle-Family website I found some of the basic health benefits and problems of not eating meat and I also learned that there were different types of vegetarians. Next I wanted to get some statistics about how common vegetarians are. To find this information I read information from nymag.com and PsychologyToday.com. I still felt that I was lacking pros, so I found the Vegetarianism and the Environment website which include the environmental benefits of being a vegetarian. At this point, I felt that I did not have a full grip on the history of vegetarianism, therefore I found the Vegetarian Society and Vegetarianism and the Major World Religions, where I learned how the modern vegetarian way came about. Lastly I wanted a more personal approach on deciding if I should become a vegetarian, so I conducted two interviews with people who do not eat meat. What Have I Learned? The idea of abstaining from meat has been around for a long time and appears in many different cultures. One of the first well known vegetarians was Pythagoras who was a mathematician in 500 BC (“World History”). He believed that animals should be treated well, so people should abstain from eating meat. Pythagoras's ideas were passed on to small groups of Babylonians and Egyptians and began to work its way into religion (“World History”). Hindus avoid eating beef, because they believe that cows are sacred. Some every take it one step further since several passages from Hindu scriptures suggest vegetarianism. One such example from the Manusmriti is, “Having well considered the origin of flesh-foods, and the cruelty of … slaying corporeal beings, let man entirely abstain from eating flesh.” (5.49). Judaism and Christianity also have some ideals similar to vegetarianism; both do not agree with animal cruelty. In fact, sometimes those religions call for a vegetarian diet, for example Catholics during lent do not eat meat on Fridays, fish not included, for religious reasons. Once I had learned the history, I was curious if all forms of vegetarianism are the same. I was surprised to learn when I started to research vegetarianism that there are several different types. The most restrictive type of vegetarianism is total vegetarians or vegans. These people do not eat any animal-based products, including meat, dairy products, or anything foods that contain things made from animals. The next most restrictive is lacto-vegetarians who do not eat meat or eggs (“Pros and Cons”). Ovo-vegetarians do not eat meat or dairy products, but do eat eggs. Pescatarians can eat fish and seafood. Lastly are lacto-ovo-vegetarians who eat dairy products and eggs, but of course not meat. With the background knowledge complete, I was ready to dive into the pros and cons of vegetarianism. Being a vegetarian have many benefits, but one of the greatest are the health benefits. The American Dietetic Association has said that being a vegetarian is a health choice (Rau). Consuming no meat can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure (“ Pros and Cons”). Since a person’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels are lower, the person has a reduced risk of heart disease. Because vegetarians do not eat meat, they will most likely eat more fruits and vegetables. These foods are great for your digestive system as they prevent constipation and lower the risk of colon cancer (“Pros and Cons”). Fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber which helps with weight loss and maintenance (“Pros and Cons”). Lastly, vegetables and fruits are packed with vitamins and minerals that are vital to human survival. A vegetarian diet can also help the environment. One of the biggest environmental problems that we are facing is global warming due to our excessive release of toxins into the environment. Ever heard that cow farts are the leading cause of global warming? There is some truth to this statement. The Worldwatch Institute estimates that 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to livestock and byproducts (“Vegetarianism and the Environment”). Of course, even if everyone converting to a vegetarian diet some of the greenhouse gases that are created by animals would exist, however the number would dramatically decline. Besides releasing harmful chemicals, the meat industry also communes a ton of water. It takes 2,400 gallons of water for one pound of cow flesh, compared to 120 gallons for one pound of whole wheat flour ( “Vegetarianism and Environment”). We only have a limited amount of safe water to drink and the meat industry is wasting it. Lastly, farming animals for meat takes up a ton of land. In fact, “Of all the agricultural land in the U.S., 80 percent is used to raise animals for food and grow grain to feed them—that’s almost half the total land mass of the lower 48 states.” (Veg and Envir). That is seven football fields worth of land each minute bulldozed for farm animals and their food (“Vegetarianism and the Environment”). Similar to environmental benefits, animals also benefit when a person becomes a vegetarian. The last benefit of vegetarianism is, of course, the animals that are spared. There seem to be countless tales of animals at factory farms that are treated inhumanly. The people who work at these farms want to get the most for their money so they will do things such as breeding animals to be so heavy that their bones can not support their weight (last Chance). Also the animals are crammed into small spaces; Turkeys are given less than 3 square feet of room and other animals, such as chickens may not even have room to turn around (Last Chance). Animals should not be treated in this way. Even free range labels are misleading, because “even though a “cage free” chicken may not be kept in a cage, it still may be crowded with other chickens in a shed” (Rau). In 2009 alone, 33.3 millions cows were killed for beef (Rau). The Counting Animals website took a scientific approach to finding out how many animals a vegetarian saves per year and found the number is between 371 and 582 (Deep). While being a vegetarian seems to be perfect, there are some cons, such as deficiencies. Vegetarians commonly have low levels of vitamin B12, which helps with the synthesis of DNA and helps with neural cells ( Kresser). Neural cells are obviously important, since the brain is where are memories are stored and are personalities are made. Vegetarians, specifically vegans, can have a calcium deficient (Kresser). It takes multiple servings of almost all vegetarians to get the same amount of calcium that is in one serving of dairy ( Kresser). Vegetarian diets have been shown to reduce...total iron absorption by 85% (Kresser). The last major deficiency that vegetarians may have is zinc because “Vegetarian diets tend to reduce zinc absorption by about 35% compared with omniovorous diet” (Kresser). Another con of being a vegetarian is the availability of food.
One of the people I interview said, “The hardest part of being a vegetarian is going out to restaurants and trying to find something to eat” (Erin). A quick look at the most popular American restaurants can show that our food culture is dominated by meat and is becoming an ever increasing ingredient. From 1975 to 2007, the number of chickens killed for meat has increased 200% ( Psych). One might say that the number has increased since the population of the United States has increased, however, the population has only increased 70 percent in that amount of time( US
pop). Based on the statistics is seems that being a vegetarian is a tricky habit to uphold, but gets easier over the years. According to a survey conducted by the Humane Research Council of almost 12,000 people, 84 percent of vegetarians and vegans eventually go back to eating meat (nymag). That is a huge fail percentage. One may say that it is difficult to make such a drastic change and that is why the fail percent is so high. This theory can be disproven since the movement to stop smoking began in the same decade as the big push for animal rights and vegetarianism, in the 1970’s. Since then the percent of people who smoke has fallen 50 % while the percent of people who are not vegetarians has stayed the same, about 98% (psych). Each year though, it seems to be easier to become a vegetarian. In the survey by the Humane Research Council of the 84 % of people who went back to eating meat, 50 percent was after one year and ⅓ was after three years. Erin said, “ Being a vegetarian is a commitment, but after awhile it becomes easier.” Which is what the data shows. What Does It Mean To Me? After reviewing all of the information that I found, I have concluded that being a vegetarian is beneficial is so many ways and that the benefits outweigh the cost. Yes, vegetarians can have low levels of certain nutrients, but most of the nutrients including calcium, protein, and vitamin B12 could be gotten by dairy products ( “Pros and Cons”). Significant levels of the other nutrients can be reached by a careful planned diet. The other con that vegetarian food, may not be very abundant can help encourage a person to be adventurous and try different foods. While most vegetarians go back to eating meat, with strong self control and a good support system a person can continue to be a vegetarian. Based on all of this information I have decided to continue to not eat red meat and limit my consumption of white meat to twice a week. I would like to become a fully time vegetarian, however, I am very picky with what I will and will not eat, and I believe that cutting out meat altogether may not be advantageous to me. Frustrations During the Personal Search Most the most part I-Search went without problems, however, there were a few frustration that I came across. The first one was the interviews. I was to interview someone outside my family, but I choose my topic kind of late and I was so busy with exams and projects for other classes that I did not have time to find and set up interviews with other people. And even finding time to sit down and talk with my sisters was difficult since they have a busy schedule that we have to work around. Another frustration was trying to narrow down my paper, since there was enough information to write a whole paper based on each paragraph. I wanted to make sure that I got the whole picture of vegetarianism.
In her Salon.com essay, “Why I Stopped Being a Vegetarian,” writer Laura Fraser uses her own life experiences to explain why she became a vegetarian, what it did to her, and why she decided to go back to being an omnivore. Fraser’s main idea was that even though being a vegetarian might be slightly healthier than a “usual diet”, and that people should not go against what they are made for. Fraser explains why being a vegetarian can be healthier for people in some places, why it is hard to be a full vegetarian, and why it is a good idea to not go against humans natural ways as a human being. By establishing her personal view and facts that she has researched, and appealing to emotions and logic in some ways, Fraser succeeds in writing an informal/argumentative essay about being an omnivore.
While plant-based diet have been around for decades, veganism did not make headlines until the late 1990’s. ‘Vegetarian’ first appears in a title of an article on September 16th, 1852, five years after the Vegetarian Society was formed (Vegetarian Society). Although veganism has clearly risen in popularity in the 21st century, it can not be concluded that American’s view plant-based eating positively. Multiple articles have been published bashing the lifestyle. ‘Vegan’ first appeared in a title of an article on December 6th, 1998, fifty-four years after the first vegan society was formed (Vegan Society). The article was titled, “All Species Welcome At A Vegan Mixer.” The author wrote about veganism as a foreign idea and made jokes on vegan’s behalf. The second time veganism appeared in the New York Times was in December of the same year. The article exposed a vegan eco-terrorist group, giving all vegans a bad reputation. Two years later, on February 1st, 2000,
When I was in second senior high school I ever become a vegetarian for 1 months. It was not a difficult thing for me because I like vegetables as well as I love meat. I had been vegetarian for 1 months is my own desire without any force from anybody, and I was really enjoying it. Today’s I choose this project to become a vegetarian; I know I will really enjoy this time. I start to eat vegetarian in 14 January 2016 and I ended up in 20 January 2016. I cooked by myself because I think, It was more convenience and more clean. As people know, here in Los Angeles it is hard to find a restaurant that only provides vegetarian foods; therefore, I decide to cook by myself. I will put some photos of my food here. Based on my experiences being vegetarian for these 6 days was wonderful.I felt more healthy and more powerful, and I felt more freedom that I didn 't kill a soul (animals) for these six days. As I told above being vegetarian can help to make a better environment and it is true. As I did a research, people who eat animal product such as meats have a higher percentage to get diseases like heart diseases, diabetes and heart attack. Why don 't we become a vegetarian. It is not hard and is good for our health, our environment,and our planet, go green!.Here, I provide some picture of my days being a
There are a myriad of myths and misconceptions that surround the words “vegetarian” and “vegan.” One perhaps thinks that becoming vegan is synonymous with becoming weak and holier-than-thou or only consuming foods such as Tofurkey. Thankfully, this isn’t the case for the vast majority of vegans or vegetarians. For financial and health concerns, many Americans are consuming less meat and poultry; approximately one third of Americans follow a diet centered upon vegetables and whole grains, with the occasional consumption of meat. Nonetheless, meat consumption per capita is still extortionate in America—the highest per capita with the exception of Luxembourg—largely due to its ingrained nature in our economy and culture.
The earth throughout many years has dramatically change in negative way when it comes to the planet’s environment. A simple choice of choosing vegetarian diet can have positive outcome to our wildfire, the atmosphere ,and even human health. From cutting down rainforests for cow pastures to adding methane to the atmosphere, a normal meat-based diet can majorly damage many parts of world.
Being vegetarian opens up so many doors for people. For those who do not know what a vegetarian is or are confused on what they do or eat let me inform you that being a vegetarian simply means that you go off of plant-based diets. Although there are several kinds of vegetarian diets, it is all based on what type of food you are consuming. For example, a strict vegetarians or vegans avoid all foods of animal origin, including meat, poultry, fish, diary products, and eggs. Many people become a vegetarian for different reason according to the Calorie King he states, “being vegetarian means different things to different people, and people follow a vegetarian diet for different reason including health, religion, and ethical beliefs.”(Deusen p.1)
“Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” stated Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, 460-377 BC (Silverstone 15). Every American should live by this quote, but things have drastically changed since Hippocrates voiced that divine statement . Nowadays peoples personification of health has nothing to do with what we consume on an everyday basis. Our generation, most certainly will drive straight to McDonalds’s for a Big Mac without hesitation of the harm it is doing to your body. Education of health is essential; people need to learn what they are eating and how it will affect them in the long run. Due to mega rich corporations and institutions, they are keeping all of us in this denial because of pouring millions of dollars into efforts to keep us from knowing what is truly going on (Silverstone 16). Whether it’s to help reduce your risk of diseases, or purely to attain better health, leaving farmed animals entirely out of your diet is an effortless decision with life-long benefits. Plant-based diets will strengthen your immune system, beautify your skin, increase your energy, and reduce risk of various diseases (Silverstone 1). Being vegetarian is a step in the right direction by protecting your health, animals, and the environment.
In general, the public loves their meat. I mean look at our streets there are McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendy’s around almost every corner. When asked if they would go vegan most people would say no, I love to eat meat. To vegans this disgusts them and their reasoning is very convincing.
People love to eat meat. For over two million years, humans have relied on eating meat in order to survive or simply just because they enjoy the taste. Early humans had more powerful jaws and larger teeth and relied on meat as one of their main sources of food. As evolution took place and humans evolved, they developed smaller teeth and were only able to eat the meat if it was cooked. With humans evolving and being able to survive on foods other than meat, meat does not have to necessarily be a part of human diet anymore. Although many people have opted for a vegetarian lifestyle, most people still continue to eat meat and do not consider it a cruel act. Many have also stopped eating meat due health risks and environmental concern. Whether
Vegetarianism used to be an unusual lifestyle choice. Today it is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health reasons, environmental and economic reasons, and, above all, ethical reasons.
For several years the issue of eating meat has been a great concern to all types of people all over the world. In many different societies controversy has began to arise over the morality of eating meat from animals. A lot of the reasons for not eating meat have to deal with religious affiliations, personal health, animal rights, and concern about the environment. Vegetarians have a greater way of expressing meats negative effects on the human body whereas meat eaters have close to no evidence of meat eating being a positive effect on the human body. Being a vegetarian is more beneficial for human beings because of health reasons, environmental issues, and animal rights.
Every person has the ability to make their own choice of whether to eat meat or not. However, eating meat is directly tied to negative health effects, pollution leading to a depletion of ozone, and the depletion of hundreds of thousands of acres of land “wasted” on animal production when they could be used to solve the hunger crisis or lower emission levels. What humans eat is no longer a matter of choice; it has become a matter of life and death. Literally, the future of the whole planet rests on the decision of whether or not to eat meat. If humans chose to eat less meat the world that wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences (outlined above.) Vegetarianism is one possibility, as is Veganism; however the world would be
People have used the argument that eating meat plays an important role in the overall health of a human and it is the way the cycle of life is meant to be, but this is not the case. Eating meat is unnecessary. Becoming a vegetarian could save countless animals from unnecessary suffering, improve human health, and help preserve numerous natural resources.
In conclusion, vegetarianism benefits many part of our life. A healthier body, a better environment, and more fair treatment of animals are all requites of becoming vegetarians. It is hard to change eating habits, but it is not impossible. There are many kinds of food that vegetarians can choose today. The taste of the non-meat food is not all bad and some of them maybe much better than imagination. It is not wise to deny being a vegetarian before trying to be. With more and more people adopting the vegetarian diet, the world will be a better place in the future: animals will be treated better; global warming will be alleviated; fewer people will be starving, and ultimately, people will be healthier and be living longer. Therefore, people should start action before it is too late.
Numerous people believe that a vegetarian diet is unhealthy for the reason that one is not consuming enough protein since there is a decrease in the consumption of meat. However, meat is not the only source of protein. Nuts and grains contain great amounts of protein, and by eating these in the place of meat, one not only gets protein, but avoids the harmful carbohydrates and fats that are in animal meats. Consuming supplements can also help gain nutrients if the diet is not providing enough. There are countless amounts of nutritional supplements that one can purchase, including fish oil and omega 3s. These can be fairly cheap if purchased at the right place, and easily give bodies the nutrients they crave to function.