What are the benefits of vegetarianism?!
Answers: I am strongly considering going semi-veg, eliminating meat and poultry from my diet, but occasionally eating fish. I am curious as to what the health benefits are to going completely vegitarian? What are the pros and cons?
I originally cut meat out of my diet when I was about 21, and it was for financial reasons.
Over the years it became more of an ethical thing (I've been veg for about 25 years now)
I've since become just about vegan (ovo lacto vegetarian, with the exception of cheese -- no cheese for me, yuk!)
In the source box is a link to an excellent website that covers alot of the health benefits of going veg.
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ADD:
I'm far from pale, thin and anemic. I'm a trail runner, an ultramarathoner, a cyclist, and a swimmer among other things. I was vegetarian during my pregnancies and both kids are healthy (I did not "force" vegetarianism on them -- they eat meat, I just won't cook it for them)
im not sure, i grew up in a house of carnivores, so.... the people i see that are veges seem to be pale, thin, and anemic. hope that helps
Read, 'The China Study', for some very good reasons. Good luck on your quest.
animals do go through all the pain and **** they have to go through (and dont get murdered) and you will be much healthier.
before i stopped eating meat, dairy,eggs and honey i was having about 7 ear/throut infections and god knows how many colds a year. in the last 10months i have had one cold which only lasted like 2day and one throat infection.
and you cant be veggie if you eat fish, its still an animal and still deserves to live
cons: you always hav to read labels but i did that before anyways
i no you have a less chance of getting diseases and high-choloestreal
Pros:
Vegetarians typically have lower BMIs (body mass index), lower rates of obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers (prostate and colon).
Cons:
A vegetarian diet is usually less socially acceptable, and you may incur some teasing (see wolf fire's response above). It is sometimes difficult to find food options at some restaurants (especially fast food).
If you have the time, check this out:
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada...
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Wolf fire... I am not pale, I live in the boonies and spend my weekends doing hard labor in the sun. I am not thin, as I was a lineman for my school's football team and now continue to work out in my 20s. I am not anemic, in fact I donate blood as often as is allowed and my iron levels have never been low...ever.
J.R. hit it spot on. The pros include:
You will have a dramatically lower risk for many diseases including diabetes, osteoporosis, and many cancers. You will be ingesting far less saturated fat and cholesterol. You will most likely increase your consumption of whole grains and vegetables. You will not be contributing to the massive environmental damage caused by the meat industries. Last but not least, you will no longer be financing the torture and slaughter of other sentient beings.
The cons are:
You may not be able to find options at certain restaurants. You have to deal with the questioning/insults of people who are at best tolerant and at worst belligerently hostile. That's all I can think of.