Are Vegetarians Healthier?!

Everything else being equal, yes.
First, we must not confuse vegetarians with vegans. As a lacto-ovo vegetarian I have absolutely no difficulty getting all the nutrients I require. If you'll notice of the "no" section above, the majority of the arguments are against veganism rather than vegetarianism. In addition, two are simply the dispelling of a specific myth regarding the harmful effects of meat-eating (and not arguments against vegetarianism), and one is a meta-analysis based in part on a study that is shamefully out of date, and another that didn't isolate a large enough number of variables to be statistically useful.
In terms of food-borne diseases, meat is a more likely source though is generally regulated well enough that the increased risk is marginal. Meat does tend however to be a higher source of saturated fats compared to vegetarian alternatives and (again all other things being equal) is more likely to contribute to heart disease and other related illnesses.
There is no doubt however that an omnivore who is careful with their food selection can live not only a perectly healthy life, but a healthier life than a vegetarian who is not.
My decision to be a vegetarian is not based on health or personal well-being, yet I do enjoy low blood pressure, no history of major illness, infrequent minor illness, strong bones, and plentiful energy.

Whether or not you eat meat has nothing to do with your health. The determining factor is whether or not you eat a healthy diet.

There are plenty of "studies" now that claim that the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle are better, but this is not true when you look at the fact that most junk food IS vegetarian.

I could be a vegetarian and choose to eat Cheese Its, peanuts, and ice cream all day. I could also be an omnivore and eat chicken, steak, asparagus, and squash all day and be a million times healthier than the vegetarian who eats junk food. A healthy diet means that you eat the right foods and have a good balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrients. Both vegetarians and meat eaters can achieve healthy diets, but one isn't healthier than the other.

Also the idea that being vegan is healthier is a myth. The reality is that you CAN be a healthy vegan, but that doesn't mean that you are healthy BECAUSE you are vegan.

@friendofchip: That is not true. Half of my family is vegetarian and they all grew up with the same back problems, the same weight problems, the same aging problems, etc., as everyone else in my family. They did not have stronger bones, they did not live longer, and these people really did eat fruits and veggies. Those things that you mentioned have nothing to do with meat or veggie intake.

No, veggie burgers will not increase your lifespan. The safety of soy is very much up in the air. Some studies show it causes fertility issues in men. They recommend it to menopausal women for their hot flashes! It has been linked to early puberty in girls. On the other hand, some research says it helps avoid cancer, etc. Personally, I believe soy in moderation is fine for a healthy person, but to make it the center of your diet is asking for trouble.

Soy milk, soy burgers, soy ice cream, soy cereals......some people eat a lot of soy. Soy contains oxalates. Oxalates inhibit your body's ability to absorb calcium and iron.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/282452…

How could something as incredibly over-processed as tofu be better than a natural cut of steak from a healthy, grass-fed animal? It's not.

I know very few fat vegetarians, but they're the ones who eat things like tofu and soy burgers. Meat is fine for you, it's processed junk you need to watch. That's why vegetarians are healthy--because they eat mostly unprocessed, natural foods. Potato chips are vegetarian, but are they healthy? Obviously not.

I dont think that just eating vegetarian/vegan diet is overall healthier, I think they tend to live longer and are healthier because they must be much more conscious of their diet and what they put into their bodies. Many track every nutrient, and they make SURE they get enough of eveything, that making them much healthier. As an Omnivore I dont have to track thngs as much, and so i rarely pay attention to my diet...and I dont take into consideration what nutrients goes into my body.;


You can be equally healthy if you have the means to get all the proper foods your body needs. Its all about paying attention, and not over indulging in processed crap foods.

an occasional anything might not hurt, like a cigarette.

We're not talking about that. Vegetarians have much less cancer overall and do live longer. They have much less heart disease and do not get constipation, trans fat related issues of high blood pressure nearly as much.
BEcause they tend to eat more vegetables and fruit, they have better general health, better skin and body functions- eyesight, nerves and joints are often better. BEcause a lot of them are lighter in body weight, they suffer fewer hip and leg problems and back issues relating to weight.

Veggie burgers? I'd go so far as to say most vegetarian people do not eat veggie burgers. Nor use the patronising word "veggie".

Vegetarians aren't necessarily healthier than people who eat meat. It's all about the nutrients you eat everyday. They can be very healthy from eating fruits and veggies but they could lack protein. You need to eat things like tofu or fish or nuts to give you protein. If you're really concerned I suggest checking out Canada's Food Guide or something of the sort to see what you need to eat everyday.

Vegetarians are usually healthier, depending on what they eat besides tofu, vegetables and water. Vegetarians eat lots of tofu which is just as healthy as meat(protein). Even vegan&vegetarian junk food is healthier. (:

I was watching the news and it said that vegetarians have a longer life expectancy. Only by a few years, but still. Veggie burgers aren't that healthy though.

Nope The Japanese have the longest lifespan on this Planet, and they are omnivores.