The Pros and Cons of a Vegetarian Diet

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The debate over vegetarianism has been going for a while and will not be ending any time soon. Both sides of the fence have significant research to substantiate their belief that a vegetable based diet is or is not healthy. The truth is, no one knows for sure what is better for each person. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to each.

One of the biggest arguments for a pro vegetarian lifestyle is ​is the environment and human health. Did you know that eating one pound of meat is the greenhouse gas equivalent of driving an SUV forty miles? Or that new research is finding animal based saturated fat good for us? Confusing, I know. Let's go over some of the more sound pros and cons of eating meat free. ​

Pros

Lower Health Risks

Research has found that eating a meat free diet lowers your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and liver disease. Vegetarians are 50% less likely to develop heart disease and 40% less likely to get certain types of cancer. When the risk of heart disease is lessened, so is the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and hypertension. Vegetarians are also able to absorb more calcium from their diets, making vegetarians less likely to have calcium deficiency.

Our livers also do better on a vegetarian diet since there is less vitamin A to be broken down. Carnivore livers are very different from our own and can take larger amounts of meat- and the vitamins and mineral that go along with it. Like vitamin D, too much vitamin A can be hard for our liver to clean out and end up doing us more damage that good.

Women on a vegetarian diet filled with whole grains, legumes and berries are less likely to get type two diabetes. There is also enough protein, vitamins, fats, and minerals for a well rounded, healthy vegetarian diet.

Environment

The average American eats over 150 pounds of meat per year. That works out to be about 95 animals per American!​ This large amount of animal farming is one of the top three contributors to global warming. The United Nations has, actually, called the meat industry one of the most significant environmental problems, both globally and locally.

Animals take up a lot of space and produce a lot of carbon dioxide. Both these factors have led to extreme deforestation and a rise in greenhouse gases. Animal farming is partially responsible for listing ​171 animals on the endangered species list. New research has also found that if every American skipped eating meat one day a week, the greenhouse emission reduction would be equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road.

Ethically

One of the biggest reasons people choose to stop eating meat is for ethical beliefs. Whether you believe in killing animals or not, it must be stated that, on the surface, not killing something seems more sound. ​Science has shown that animals are sentient and can feel fear, pain, and stress. The meat industry, as a whole, is known for treating animals cruelly. By not eating meat, you are not excepting the cruel treatment of animals.

Over nine billion (yes, billion) animals are killed every year in the United States alone. What is worse is the high amount of meat that is wasted in the average American household.

Cons

Dietary Restraints

Anthropologists have shown that humans have been eating meat for over 2.3 million years. Over time, eating meat has helped increase our brain size and even made our taste buds evolve to prefer it. The nutrients and fats in meat are less common in plants and are needed for proper daily function. Saturated fats, commonly found in meat, help with neural function, specifically the serotonin receptors in the brain.  Researchers have also found that there is a downside to having too little cholesterol. Lower cholesterol levels, from a lower intake of saturated fats, have been linked to depression.

Vegetarians that do not eat eggs or dairy products are over twelve times more likely to have a vitamin B deficiency. Further, there is no scientific evidence to back-up the claim that the average vegetarian will live ten years longer than a meat eater.

When it comes to obesity, some lean meats have less fat and caloric intake than vegetables. These meats have much higher amounts of protein and are much more beneficial for muscle growth. ​

Environmental

Although the meat industry is one of the leading causes of global warming; cars, factories, and high electrical outputs are responsible as well. By driving eco friendly cars, riding bicycles, using solar panels, and recycling, you could reduce your carbon footprint as much as a meat free diet. Riding a bike five miles will reduce greenhouse gases the same amount as not eating a quarter pound of meat. 

Ethically

Eating free-range, organic meat that is responsibly killed is becoming more popular. This is partially due to the ethical reason of not harming animals, and partially because research has shown a low-stress environment to produce better meat. By eating grass fed and free-range meat, you are encouraging a healthy meat industry that massively reduces animal cruelty. Meat that is raised in a stress free, natural environment will be more tender and taste better. This meat will also have limited to no added hormones, making it healthier for us along with the animal. ​

There are no two people with identical dietary needs. Most doctors agree that a meat-free diet can be beneficial for some and detrimental to others. Those who benefit from a meat-free diet find they have more energy, ​better control over emotional output, and can keep weight off more easily. Vegetarians must watch what they eat more closely than carnivores to be sure they are getting the right amount of nutrients. Although it is more difficult, most people who try a vegetarian diet find the extra effort and dietary constraints to be worth it for the added energy and good health.