Go Veg!

Three problems in America include the need of healthcare for all, a disastrous economy, and the ever-prevalent slaughtering of natural ecosystems. At the present moment, the Baby Boomers are entering into retirement, and as they enter their old age they require medical attention. Much of the chronic diseases and conditions in the elderly are a result of poor health choices made earlier in life. History repeats itself as the younger generations make themselves susceptible to chronic diseases and conditions because of their unhealthy choices. Obesity, among these conditions, is a major problem in America. Another issue is the disastrous economy. Many Americans are jobless, struggling to survive, and looking for any way to save money. Recent awareness of human environmental destruction has caused a new trend and that is to "go green" out of fear that human destruction of the earth will ultimately be the end of the human race. Vegetarianism presents opportunity to reduce the demand for healthcare, save money thereby repairing the economy, and prevents further destruction of the earth and its inhabitants. Therefore, individuals should consider switching their diet because vegetarianism is healthy, inexpensive, and eco-friendly.

To start, the vegetarian diet has proven to be healthy. Although it is true that vegetarians are at risk for certain nutritional deficiencies, these nutritional deficiencies can be easily prevented. According to Wilma Kirsten, a neuro-linguistic programming practitioner and nutritional therapist, nutritional deficiencies common among vegetarians include a lack of protein, vitamin B12, and essential fatty acids. She informs of the importance of protein for growth and development, B12 for healthy blood cell formation, and essential fatty acids for specific functions in the body. She expresses the importance of adding alternatives to one's diet to "maintain a healthy balance" (4). A simple solution for these deficiencies is to increase intake of alternative plant-based foods that are rich in the deficient nutrients. People can eat a vegetarian diet and fulfill all of their nutritional requirements.

Furthermore, abiding to a plant-based diet helps prevent chronic diseases and is beneficial to overall well-being. Numerous studies show that vegetarian diets lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, various types of cancer, and diabetes. According to the President and Fellows of Harvard College, "Compared with meat eaters, vegetarians tend to consume less saturated fat and cholesterol and more vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and photochemicals (plant chemicals)" (4). The article further explains, "As a result, they're likely to have lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower body mass index (BMI), all of which are associated with longevity and a reduced risk for many chronic diseases " (4).

Additionally, studies show that vegetarian diets increase energy levels, elevate moods, and improve the functioning of body systems. In his study of 11,000 Americans over an 11-year period, Gary Null, PhD, and his researchers discovered that not only did participants experience improvements with their chronic illnesses but they also experienced improvements in their overall wellbeing (14). Martin Feldman, MD, of New York's Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, explains "subjective data on such measures as energy level, endurance, immune system function such as infection, mental functions such as attention span and concentration, digestive systems and joint systems were positive" (qtd in Null 14).

Many individuals argue that the vegetarian diet lacks protein that is essential to creating a lean, attractive muscular body. This is false as vegetarians tend to be thinner than meat-eaters. The reason for this is that the vegetarian diet contains fewer calories from fat. As mentioned before, a well-balanced vegetarian diet prevents nutritional deficiencies in protein. In an interview, Bob Harper, the trainer on NBC's The Biggest Loser, explains, "I always bring up the option of a vegetable-based diet, which I call Diet A, and talk about the many easy ways to get protein, such as from beans, tofu, broccoli, and quinoa. For the contestants who insist they need their meat I have Diet B, which is still very heavy on veggies." Harper recently switched to the vegetarian diet and is appears to be leaner and more muscular than before (see http://www.buddytv.com/bob-harper.aspx). He serves as a role model for both the contestants and viewers of The Biggest Loser. He inspires people to not only lose weight but lead an overall healthier lifestyle. The vegetarian diet can help slim down this obese nation. Overall, the vegetarian diet places a positive impact on health.

The vegetarian diet not only places a positive impact on health, but it is also inexpensive. Some individuals argue that the vegetarian diet is more expensive. This is believed to be true because of failed attempts made by individuals in switching to a vegetarian lifestyle. Failures occur due to careless grocery shopping. Since vegetarian diets rely primarily on fresh fruits and vegetables, individuals must be cautious about the quantity and quality of the produce they buy. If an individual buys more than can be used, there will be wasted food and wasted money, which in turn makes it more expensive. Despite claims that vegetarianism is expensive, studies have shown that the vegetarian diet is less expensive than the carnivorous diet. In fact, "Replacing meat, chicken, and fish with vegetables and fruits is estimated to cut food bills by an average of $4,000 per year" (Dworkin).

Abiding to a vegetarian diet can reduce national spending. Norine Dworkin, a professional writer specializing in interests regarding health, nutrition, and sexuality, claims that Americans spend between $60 billion and $120 billion on healthcare related to chronic diseases and conditions that are common byproducts of the meat-based diet. Because vegetarianism avoids these expensive health costs, it is significantly cheaper than the meat-based diet. The vegetarian diet is definitely economically easy on the wallet.

Furthermore, the vegetarian diet is eco-friendly. Many individuals argue that animal agriculture and plant agriculture take up the same amount of resources, especially land. However, abiding by a vegetarian diet significantly reduces waste products such as land, food, energy, and water resources. Using land for animal husbandry is an inefficient use of space. It is said that "an area of rain forest the size of seven football fields is destroyed every minute to make room for grazing cattle, but each vegetarian saves 1 acre of trees every year" (PETA). Such vast areas of land can be used more efficiently. Dworkin shares, "One acre of land could produce 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots or just 250 pounds of beef." Furthermore, "about 20 percent of the world's population, or 1.4 billion people, could be fed with the grain and soybeans fed to U.S. cattle alone" (PETA). If everyone worldwide switched their diet to a vegetarian diet, there would be no such thing as world hunger.

As well as significantly reducing waste products, a vegetarian diet also significantly reduces pollution, especially water and air pollution. Due to the high demand of meat-based foods, factory farms produce millions of pounds of feces and urine which contaminates the earth's water supply. "The EPA reports that chicken, hog, and cattle excrement have polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states" (qtd in PETA). Water pollution negatively impacts the aquatic life present and can cause serious illness in humans.

Factory farms also emit harmful substances into the air. According to Dworkin, methane gases from cows, pigs and poultry, ammonia gases from urine, poison gases from manure, toxic chemicals from pesticides, and exhaust from farming equipment used to raise feed for animals contributes tremendously to air pollution. All of these are also harmful to humans. It is said that "factory farms and the contamination they produce cause illnesses in humans that range from brain damage and depression to miscarriage and birth defects and from antibiotic resistant bacterial infections to respiratory problems" (PETA). This goes to show that producing meat products is just as harmful to humans as the consumption of such products.

Moreover, a vegetarian diet saves innocent animal lives. The opposition believes that meat consumption is natural and that animals are meant to be eaten as they are part of the food chain. However, the opposition fails to recognize humans as being part of the animal world. In a cartoon by Dan Piraro, titled "It could all be a dream" Piraro reverses the scenario (see http://www.vegetus.org/vegtoon/turn8.htm). The cartoon depicts common animals consumed by humans participating in the distribution and consumption of humans. Although a scenario like this could not occur, it allows for reflection about the morality of killing animals by considering matters from their viewpoint. It equates the killing of farm animals to the killing of humans.

Another argument against vegetarianism is that the purpose of animals is food and that this is their only "job." Again, humans are animals too. So is it the purpose of humans to be eaten as well? "Each day, 22 million animals are slaughtered to support the American appetite for meat" (Dworkin). Vegetarians find satisfaction in knowing that their food consumption does not cause suffering to animals. In the article titled "22 Reasons to Go Vegetarian Right Now - benefits of Vegetarian Diet," one man shares, "It's a wonderful thing to be able to finish a delicious meal, knowing that no beings have suffered [to make it]"(qtd in Dworkin). Piraro and Dworkin, along with many other people, view the production, distribution, and consumption of meat as immoral and ignorant. Abiding by a vegetarian diet shows consideration for the earth and its inhabitants.

Abiding by a vegetarian diet is healthy, low-priced, and eco-friendly. It is healthy in that individuals can receive adequate nutrition, prevent debilitating diseases, improve their overall functioning, and achieve an attractive thin, trim body. It is inexpensive in that food cost and health expenses are lower. And finally, it is eco-friendly in that it prevents further waste of essential resources; it does not contribute to destructive pollution practices, and takes a political stand against the cruel treatment of animals. In "going veg" individuals have the opportunity to reduce the demand for healthcare, save money thereby repairing the economy, and prevent further destruction of the earth and its inhabitants. Why not? Go Veg.

Sources:
Amy. "Biggest Loser Bob Harper is a Vegetarian" Diets in Review
Norine Dworkin. "22 reasons to go vegetarian right now--benefits of Vegetarian Diet" BNet.com
Gary Hull. "EXCLUSIVE: Study proves benefits of going veg" Alt Health Watch EBSCOhost
Wilma Kirsten "What Constitutes a Healthy Vegetarian Diet?" Alt Health Watch EBSCOhost
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). "Meat and the Environment" GoVeg.com
Dan Piraro "It could all be a dream" UEExpress.com
President and Fellows of Harvard College. "Becoming a vegetarian" Alt Health Watch EBSCOhost
No author. "Reality Role Model" Alt Health Watch EBSCOhost