Are there health advantages to being vegetarian?

Question

I figured that this would be the best place to ask if there are solid reasons why being a vegetarian could be healthier for you (still egg and milk, just no meat)? I have vegetarian/vegan friends who say that it is, but I've never been sure why. And then, how do you make sure you get all of the protein you need?
I ask because I've played with the idea of letting off meat (for several reasons), but I'd like to know a little bit more about the lifestyle change involved.

By the way, I do not really want to hear from the losers who seem to have nothing better to do than ask questions like "how rare do you like your steak?" and "so how do the plants feel? They're living, too" on the vegetarian + vegan area. I can't even begin to say how incredibally immature and self-serving that is.

Answer 1

Ok, there are actually quite a number of reasons being a vegetarian is much healthier than eating meat. Some of the other answers seem to have some misperceptions about things like protein, fat, and evolution. Firstly, biologically humans are not omnivores. Back when all humans (of the closest thing to humans at that time) lived in Africa, it was much more lush and plentiful. Humans evolved to eat plants, vegetables, fruits and maybe every once in a while, an insect. However after Africa moved closer to the equator and became more arid, humans were forced to hunt animals to replace some of the foods that had been lost. Plants were still the foundation of their diet. You can still today see how humans are so much more like other herbivores than omnivores. For instance look at your teeth, and then compare them with that of a dog. You may notice they are a bit smaller much more suited for biting into fruit and vegetables then raw flesh. Also our intestines are what, 27 feet long? Whereas meet eating animals have intestines only a bit longer then their bodes. This is important because it takes much more work to digest plants than meat. Humans also lack the proper enzymes to digest meet resulting in different kinds of cancer. Cooking the meat before eating it helps a bit but it is far from making it healthy. This is why vegetarians have a much lower cancer rate than meat eaters. Humans don't have the mental or physical capability to stock and overrun prey. When was the last time you got hungry and stared eyeing you neighbor's cow imagining yourself ripping open it's stomach with your teeth and feeding on it's warm flesh while it's still beating heart dies. To any self respecting carnivore that would be just natural. Not for humans. Anyway, back to the real question. Protein is no problem. A good definition of organic matter is that it has protein. Spinach is a great source as well as nuts and lentils. In fact animal protein (from meat, milk, and eggs) is unhealthy. The thing is that when protein comes from animals is it acidic when it enters your blood stream, the body confiscates but dissolving basic calcium from your bones and excreting it through your urine. Milk doesn't really build strong bones, it dissolves strong bones. This is how meat contributes to osteoporosis. Meat eating women in their 60s will have about a third of the bone mass of vegetarian women. I have never heard of a protein deficiency, but I have heard of too much protein. Fat, or cholesterol is indeed a good part of a healthy diet, but there are many types of cholesterol. One is High density lipoprotein (HDL) and the other is Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is bad, it's what clogs arteries and causes heart attacks. HDL is good, it removes LDL. Another difference is that HDL is only found in plants and LDL is found only in animals. Heart attacks have been directly linked to LDL and therefore animal products. While it's true that vegetarians aren't perfect, they still eat eggs and milk, they have a much reduced chance of heart attack. Some people cited vegetarians who they knew who where unhealthy, but when you compare it to the 750,000 people who die every year in the US from heart attacks... that makes meat even more dangerous than cigarettes with only 400,000 deaths a year. Vegetarians have about 30% of the chance of meat eaters of a heart attack, vegans have 12%. There is nothing good in meat that can't be replaced better in plants. There are many more good reasons to go vegetarian besides just health. The meat industry is the one of the worst polluters in the world and destroyers of rainforests. Also I suppose comparing modern slaughter houses to Natzi death camps is a bit off, the majority of people killed there had seen sunlight before. But that wasn't part of your question. I hope that answers your question as well as removing anyone else's doubt that meat is definitely not healthy at all.

Answer 2

It is possible for anyone to be unhealthy. However, it is easier to eat better as a vegetarian, if only because you might think about your food more. You have two ways to go from here:
1. Transition by eating "mock" foods similar to what you are eating know, or;
2. Completely change your view of what goes on the plate.

1. The transitional approach can be useful if you aren't sure what to do. You should be able to find products that are clearly labelled or endorsed as vegetarian. A lot of asian stores have mock duck, mock beef etc., all made from gluten. Supermarkets have tofu ice cream and tofetta. These can be very yummy and would fool most carnivores.

2. A complete change is good because you may be exposed to flavours that you would have never tried before. A friend of mine liked only meat and two overcooked vegetables. The same meat and two veges until he became vegetarian at 22. Suddenly a whole world of food opened up.

Don't look at a plate with meat and three veg and wonder what you will replace the steak with. Instead, start with an empty plate and try something new.

Don't worry about protein, we all get too much. Iron is a non-issue, unless you are starving yourself. My Iron count went from 12.5 to 16. B12 deficiency can be a problem, but it is very rare and easy to treat with a B pill. Forget about "food-combining", that is very old thinking. Try to get as many colours happening as a simple way to get a variety of nutrients. Don't pig out on dairy, green leafy veges are better sources of calcium.

Get some new kitchen tools and a cookbook. That will inspire you. Good luck.

Answer 3

Yes, there are.

Go to this link:
http://www.goveg.com/order.asp
Order the *FREE* vegetarian catalog from PETA and you'll get a load of info on why it's healthy and how it's possible to be a vegetarian without "passing out" when standing up and how you can have a balanced diet without "weighing over 300 LBS" like SOME people suggest.

As for protein: I'm into amateur weightlifting and I get 150-200 grams of protein every day and I don't eat meat (except seafood occassionaly). I'm not a pure vegetarian since I eat eggs and seafood on rare occassions however about 90% of my diet is vegetarian based. I get all the protein I need and then some. Don't believe the myths. Get that catalog that I strongly recommend and you'll get the full facts about being a vegetarian.

Here's a list of vegetarian athletes:
http://www.alphaomegafood.com/vegetarian_athletes.htm
I'm sure that 250 pound professional weightlifters who happen to be vegetarians don't have protein problems like some anti-vegetarian propaganda machines suggest.

Me, personally, I don't eat meat simply because I don't like the way it tastes, except seafood as I already mentioned. On top of that, meat is injected with all kinds of drugs, toxins, etc. . . that have been proven to cause cancer and other diseases in human beings. It's just disgusting. My decision to stop eating meat is the best decision I've made in terms of my diet. Once you try it for a couple weeks, you'll get use to it and you'll see all kinds of changes for the good both psychologically and physically that you've never seen as a meat eater.

As for the lifestyle change: It's not like you're moving to the north pole. You'll still be doing the same things you've always done, minus the eating meat part. Once you've stopped eating meat for a couple weeks you won't even crave it anymore and you'll wonder why you ever ate it. Just try, it's worth a shot.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi,

Its a myth that getting protien is a problem.

There are no issues with having a full and healthy vegetarian lifestyle with no special considerations or suppliements.

I've been veggie for 27 years and laugh when i see people say you NEED meat to live. What does that mean, i'm dead ?

Have a natural balance of vegetables, fruit, cereals, nuts and dairy and you'll be fine.

Apparently there are many health advantages but i don't think about it, i just live a happy veggie life.

Answer 5

Kathy, I gave you a star for such a good and well thought out question, and here's my take on the issue, Vegetarian vs. Omnivore.

I have a lady friend, Cathy (same name as you, but with a "C") who is a "strict" vegetarian, she's about 5'2" and weighs in at about 375 lbs. She doesn't touch ANY animal products whatsoever, but that leaves the rest of the planet for her to snack on......Her blood pressure is a staggering 195/95, so we're talking Coronary-Country here.....she drinks a 12 pack of Coke a day, eats sooooooooooooooooooooo much CRAP, twinkies, hoho's, Hostess cupcakes, "natural" potato chips (which have the same number of fat and calories that "regular" chips do) by the Costco size bag......Now, tell me, is she healthy??? HELL NO!!! I've been out with her for Mexican food, and she orders 2, get this TWO Tostada Grandes (I can't even put a dent in a half a one!!) and orders them "without meat", but she sucks those puppies down in a matter of 10 minutes..........when we got back to her place, she was "still hungry" so she ate: 2 apples, a banana and a huge bunch of grapes, AFTER the 2 Grande Tostadas without meat..........Vegetarian??? Right.

Next Case Scenario:

I have a male friend, Tyler, who is a Vegan..............this guy has gone off the deep edge here, HE WON'T EAT ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN COOKED..........******everything********* he eats is RAW.......he has absolutely NO muscle mass, is thin as a frickin' rake, has chancre sores around his mouth and nose CONSTANTLY........Sometimes when he stands up too fast, he passes out..........IS THIS HEALTHY???? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this no-brainer out.......Oh, and he's currently battling his THIRD bout with the flu since December........Tyler can't seem to understand why he's always got some "anomoly" wrong with him........

Well, Kathy, I'm 50 yrs old, and you can see my picture, I'm no angle, but I think I have a pretty good diet, I eat everything in moderation.......And being Valentines Day yesterday, we dined out and I had the most wonderful Veal Scallopini, and I, being a meat eater RARELY eat veal.........I think this is the first time in like 20 years that I have, it just sounded good (but pricey!) and was delicious.......

Thanks for listening to me banter, but that's my take on the whole "diet" thing..........Oh, and Ann Landers, the famous columnist (Dear Abby's twin sister) was a strict vegetarian all her life, never smoked nor did she drink EVER, and she died from an adenoma (a virulent form of cancer) of the liver..........So, go figure that one out.......

Christopher

Answer 6

Although not a full-fledged vegetarian myself, my parents are vegan and have provided me with some very persuasive information about the health benefits to limiting animal-based proteins in your diet. I am currently reading and highly recommend "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell, which explains a long term, very broad nutrition study in very easy to understand terms. Campbell is neither preachy nor judgmental, and he even admits the flaws in his studies. He merely provides the reader a chance to read his very persuasive observations about the benefits of a whole-foods, plant-based diet. After reading just a few chapters, I have limited my meat intake drastically, although I am more of a moderate and will most likely never give meat or dairy up completely. It is a must read!

Answer 7

Kathy:

I am neither vegan nor vegetarian. I look at it this way; I am a human being, my species was spawned and evolved on this planet. My species has, over millions of years, developed into an omnivore. That means my body needs both meat and vegetables/fruit to remain healthy. I have known a few people who have sworn off meat and every last one of those I knew wasn't as healthy as I was. As far as I am concerned it is a "square peg" being forced into a "round hole".

As far as protein goes, I am told it can be derived from some vegetable and nuts but I am a long way from being convinced. I have seen the human body be allergic to almost everything but I have yet to see anyone allergic to meat. One classic example of this is getting protein from peanuts. A peanut allergy can literally be fatal.

Many of the vegetarians and vegans I am familiar with are doing it to make a political statement. One I met went so far as to compare slaughter houses to Auschwitz. People starved to death at Auschwitz, can you imagine trying to sell beef from an animal that starved to death. And that brings up another point. Fat is a necessary part of a balanced diet.

One vegan was talking about "animal rights". Now don't get me wrong, I am not in favor of being cruel to man or beast. But I have to ask, what rights? I have never seen a cow write a declaration of independence, a rabbit write a constitution or a bison take up arms and fight for their rights. I am told some animals are as intelligent as man. If that is the case where are their pyramids, their hospitals, road systems, modes of transportation and the like?

You have to make the decision about what you put in your body. I have already made mine and I have stated my reasons for doing so. After you get input from more like me and like number from the other side you can make a decision you will be comfortable with. And if you decide to change your lifestyle I wish you the best. Heck if you don't I still wish you the best.

Answer 8

science has definately proved that being veg. means ur living a much healthy life with reducing risk of heart diseases ,hypertension ,cancers specially colon cancers alzimers & many more. Human body is made as for vegetarin physiologically we dont have tearing teeth ,we have mesticating teeth suitable for veg fruits & grains ,our intestine are evolved in such away that can digest veg in better ways. The proper balenced veg diet is not difficient in any essiential nutrients including proteins ,vitamins & iron to list few of them. Veg have lower incidence of colon cancers & also ohter ca & alzimers & that in itself is suffcient reagion for one to change . Like barnanrd shaw said that "my stomach is not a graviyard."

Answer 9

Nowadays, factory farmed animals are treated with hormones, antibiotics etc. leaving meat out helps u avoid them. We are also ingesting less carcinogens. Here is a research article: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~choucc/environmental_impact_of_various_dietary_patterns.pdf
you can compare the carcinogen levels for the different diets in tables 2,3 and 4.
I have also personally experience better endurance for my PFT. If you want to know you can read about it here http://living-vegan.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-i-went-from-nil-to-gold-for-pft.html
As for protein, there are many protein rich plant food sources. The different coloured beans, chickpeas, etc. Vegetables also provide protein, just that its lower in content than its bean legumes counterparts.

Answer 10

Nobody ever gave me any prove. In 1988 my doctor told me I have diabetes and had to follow an specific diet. I told him I rather die with a full stomach. I never did it and until today, I am better than many people that follow a regime. A neighbor just dropped dead doing exercises. To each his own.