What are the pros and cons of vegetarianism?

Answer 1

Oh my goodness. So much misinformation out there.

The only con is sifting through propaganda from the meat and dairy industry.

You know only 5% of your iron intake comes from meat? Come on people!! Meat eaters are JUST as low in iron as vegetarians.

DAIRY is the problem! Dairy inhibits iron absorption.

There is a huge difference between a low iron count and anemia. Anemia is a disease. Brick was probably anemic to begin with. Some vegetarians never supplement their B-12 and live long healthy lives that way. Remember too that B vitamins are water soluable. If you've fallen victim to the "drink 8 bottles of water a day" myth, you will need to supplment your B and your potassium. Meat eater And vegetarian alike.

Before talking about pro and con (for me there is no con) you have to decide what kind of veggie you're going to be.

A convenience veggie or a health veggie.

If you rely on convenience foods - that is prepackaged veggie imitation meat stuffs - you're still living the SAD diet.

From Ask Dr. Sears:

STANDARD AMERICAN DIET (SAD)
If you were to list the factors that increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, intestinal disorders – just about any illness – the standard American diet has them all:

High in animal fats
High in unhealthy fats: saturated, hydrogenated
Low in fiber
High in processed foods
Low in complex carbohydrates
Low in plant-based foods
The striking fact is that cultures that eat the reverse of the standard American diet – low fat, high in complex carbohydrates, plant-based, and high in fiber – have a lower incidence of cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD). What's even more sad is that countries whose populations can afford to eat the healthiest disease-preventing foods don't. The United States has spent more money on cancer research than any country in the world, yet the American diet contributes to the very diseases we are spending money to prevent.


Be a healthy vegetarian. Cook your own meals. High in whole grains, veggies and fruits. Avoid convenience foods as much as humanly possible.

Every vegetarian spares the life of 95 animals a year. It takes 22 pounds of grain and 5000 gallons of water to produce ONE pound of edible beef. That's enough for a village!

Answer 2

better for the environment. Which causes more greenhouse gas emissions, rearing cattle or driving cars? Surprise! According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation. Says Henning Steinfeld, Chief of FAO’s Livestock Information and Policy Branch and senior author of the report: “Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.” With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tonnes in 1999/2001 to 465 million tonnes in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tonnes.

Answer 3

Pro: Weight stabilizes to normal levels, you tend to eat more nutritious food and a greater variety, veggie chicks are hot, your armpits and feet stop stinking, you never have constipation or food poisoning, and vegetarians suffer from less diseases.

Con: Hard to find vegetarian restaurants, your friends may think you are a loon, you tend to fart a lot but it doesn't smell, vegetables cost more money than meat and cheese, there is no real vegetarian fast food.

Answer 4

One of the Biggest Cons to me is the fact that a Burger costs a dollar while a Salad costs five!

Being a Vegan in college is REALLY hard, Money wise.

Answer 5

bricktops...you are lying. Your liver stores enough B12 to last for 6-7 years. You wouldn't have been deficient until then. You may have developed an iron deficiency in a year, but not B12. Don't lie about vegetarianism...there is enough misinformation out there without fools making stuff up.

Answer 6

Pros - you're not eating some mothers child ... Cons - healthier than people who eat other living beings children !!! End of Tale !!!

Answer 7

Pros:
You'll feel better (assuming you eat healthy)
You'll cause less suffering and death for animals
You'll try all kinds of exciting new foods

Cons:
Certain people will make fun of you and insult you just because you don't eat the same things they do
It's damn annoying reading the label on everything you eat checking to see if some idiot put animal fat or gelatin in it

Answer 8

Pros-milky white complexion
cons-don't get to eat meat

Answer 9

Pros:
You eat more healthy.
You feel better.
You try new and surprising recipes and have very tasty experience.
Your eating habits are more environment friendly.
To eat healthy, you have to improve your knowledge about food.

Cons:
To eat healthy, you have to improve your knowledge about food. It takes time.

Answer 10

Cons are lack of iron and B12 in your diet leading to aenemia - I went veggie for about a year and had a B12 deficiency resulting in having to get monthly injections of B12 for 2 years before the aenemia went away !