Are Vegetarians Healthy?!

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It has to be investigated on a case by case issue.

Not necessarily. The majority of research done on actual vegetarians in the US has been done on members of the 7th Day Adventist Church. As a religious principle, they encourage their members to adopt a vegetarian diet. They also don't drink, smoke or hang around with people that do. They have fewer divorces, a higher standard of living, close community ties. Yes, the research shows they live a bit longer, healthier lives than the average American. BUT Mormons have similar habits, also seem to live longer healthier lives AND eat meat. So most researchers will tell you that the information from research on the 7th Day Adventist isn't necessarily proof a vegetarian lifestyle is healthier...unless you add in attending church on a regular basis, etc.

Around the world, most vegetarians are ovo-lacto, meaning they eat eggs and drink dairy products. They simply cut out meat. If they pay attention to the nutrients they're missing in meat and don't replace the calories they miss in meat with empty calories, yes, they can be healthy.

But it's pretty tough to get the 2000 - 2500 calories requirement most of us need on just vegetables. I think that's the biggest challenge for new vegetarians: just getting the calories to get through the day. If you're considering going vegetarian, get yourself a food diary and track your calories now and after you make the switch. It might help you.

It depends on what they eat. Just not eating meat doesn't make one healthy or unhealthy it is what you actually eat that determines your level or health as well as your excercise, genetics, mental attitude, etc.

It really depends on the diet. A person who eats mostly whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables but also includes lean meat now and then is going to be doing a heck of a lot better than someone who lives on jalapeno poppers and ice cream, even though the latter is a vegetarian.

Most studies show that people on a balanced diet do better than those who are not eating a balanced diet, and a good deal have shown that there are benefits of a balanced vegetarian diet over a balanced diet that includes meat on a regular basis. (Even a study of Seventh-Day Adventists, in which the lifestyles were otherwise similar, showed a longer lifespan for vegetarians. However, it was a smaller difference than was found between vegetarians and the general public.)

Basically, if you are willing to take the time to plan your diet and you base it in whole foods, you probably will be healthier. However, if you intend to just go and eat french fries and cheese pizza, your health will suffer.

Just because you are vegetarian does not mean you are healthy. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan foods that are highly processed and high in fat and calories. In fact there are people who convert to vegetarianism without doing proper research and as a result they eat junk food their health suffers, or they do eat healthy but eat more carbs than they normally should.

I have been vegetarian for five years and I have adopted a healthier diet because of it. Most vegetarians are health conscious and care about their diet because they have to monitor what are in foods.

This is open for discussion.
However, do YOUR own research. Do not rely on other opinions to form your decision.
What I have encountered is some doctors say it's not a good diet. Some doctor's say it is. Who do we believe? That is why I decided to venture on my own and find out the truth.
I became a vegetarian a year and a half ago AFTER a few years of researching on my own. I cannot just become a vegetarian because I just want to. There has to be reason.
Read about the hidden truths behind the meat industry. PLEASE! There are no federal laws protecting the animals that are horrendously and improperly slaughtered. Yes many will not care about how the animals are butchered or what drugs are being pumped into their systems, which eventually end up in our systems, they just care about the nice rib eye steak on their plate for dinner. They don't care that the antibiotics and other growth hormone drugs injected in these animals will have a major impact on the health of the person who is eating it.
Don't believe the hype about not getting enough protein. We do not need ANIMAL protein. We get enough from vegetables and fruits.
Obesity is at an all time high. Ever see a fat vegetarian? I haven't.
We don't eat like we used to. The healthy way. Everything is super sized, and you get a burger, fries, and a drink in under 5 minutes. Why cook? Shame.
I applaud you for wanting to make the decision to become a vegetarian. Since becoming one, my doctor at my last physical commended me for being in excellent health yet I was not in good health a few years before that at the physical I had at that time. Go figure.
Vegetarians are NOT vegans. There are different types of vegetarians. Some vegetarians strictly eat fish as the only animal they will eat who are called Pesco-Vegetarians. Lacto-Ovo vegetarians will eat eggs, butter, milk. All animal by-products. There are others. People tend to mistake vegetarianism with being vegan. Not so.
In any case, I'm glad you're thinking about becoming one. Good for your health and believe it or not, good for the environment.

There are competing arguments regarding this issue. Some people will tell you yes, others will say no. I personally believe a vegetarian diet can be very healthy if followed properly. I also believe an omnivorous diet can be healthy, if done correctly. It's all about balance and moderation. As long as you eat enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with a sufficient amount of fibre and healthy fats every day, I think your diet should consist of whatever foods you like. If you do choose to become vegetarian, just be careful about getting enough iron and vitamin B12. I suggest talking to a doctor before you make any changes to make sure it's right for you.

I have been a flexitarian for most of my life.

Pre-listening to The Great Health Debate, I would have said yes. After listening to it, it seems it's a wide consensus that every person is different. I will not say no, because how can I, when you look at people like Durianriders, or Mac Danzig, or Brendan Brazier? But then you can't say meat-eaters aren't healthy, when you look at many of our Olympic athletes. What is most important is for the most part...plants should make up the majority of your diet, and processed foods whether organic/vegan/raw, are generally not healthy for you.

Some people thrive on some animal products, others don't. I personally didn't do very well on a vegan diet and argue that "I didn't do it right" all you want, but I did my fair share of research and couldn't figure out why I was struggling...The best thing I can recommend to you, is to experiment. Contrary to popular belief you will not die on a vegetarian/vegan diet...You won't die on a raw foods diet, or on a paleoithic diet, so try whatever you feel like. Give it your best shot, be very self-aware and listen to what your body is telling you. If you don't feel right, analyze what you're eating, do some research see if you're "doing it wrong"...If not, maybe your body just isn't suited for it.

TL;DR...eat plants, less meat. Unless you live in the Arctic, chances are your ancestors lived around the same geographical area you did, in terms of climate, and ate lots of plants, and a few animals.

Statistically, yes. Vegetarians have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, colon cancer and heart disease. They are less likely to suffer from digestive disorders, IBS, Chrohn's, etc.
There is no evidence of meat eaters suffering less than vegetarians from any malady.

A vegetarian diet is undoubtedly healthier than a diet with meat in it but only if you do it correctly.

There are some traps in a vegetarian diet that you can see in a web search for "vegetarian diet" + "health hazards".

Just like not all meat-eaters have the same health, a vegetarian can be healthy or unhealthy. You can choose to eat vegetables and whole grains and other healthy things, or you can choose to eat cookies and cheese pizza.

if you choose to eat wisley and get complete protein is step one.
it is also cheeper per square foot for growing food cost less even thught the price of food is going up dramatically in the last three years. healthy pocketbook

If all your eat are fatty cheeses, ghee, bur free (not sure how to spell it), and other junk like that, you'll still be fat.

Just a little less satisfied.

Some are, some are not. It is possible to be vegetarian and still be unhealthy if you don't eat right..

Yes, very