Question about vegetarianism:?

Question

I've always heard that vegetarian is healthier than eating meat, but my roommate thinks otherwise. He says that cutting out red meat is healthier, but when you cut out white meat, it is much less healthy because you lose essential proteins, etc. So, I'm just wondering which is healthier: vegetarian or white meat?

I don't want just vegetarian bias on this one. I want to hear evidence from both sides.

Answer 1

Vegetarianism does not pose any more risk of missing essential proteins (aka amino acids) than a non-vege diet. In fact, contrary to popular belief, meat does not contain all the essential amino acids (there are 8-12 of them). However, everyone can get all their amino acids by eating a balanced meal, with protein from two sources. The three vegan sources types are 1. Whole carbs (potatoes with skin, whole wheat, brown rice), 2. Beans and lentils, 3. Nuts and seeds. So, even a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread is complete. Protein deficiencies are virtually unheard of in north america.

All kinds of animal products, including white meat, contain unhealthy substances such as cholesterol and saturated fat, and they contain no fibre. Plant foods, on the other hand, contain fibre, no cholesterol (your body can produce all the cholesterol it needs), and have better ratios of good and bad fats. Plant foods contain cancer-fighting compounds like antioxidants, but some meats have been shown to increase the chance of getting some types of cancer. There are many other details, these are just some examples... if you want more info you can email me at [e-mail]. But what it comes down to is that vegetarianism is healthier for you than eating white meat. It is also healthier for the environment, the animals, and your peace of mind. :)

Answer 2

I am not a vegetarian-but I have read enough to equal if not surpass many Dietitians and Doctors . My Doctor asks me even.
Vegetarianism (with fruit both are needed in balance) is healthier. Usually always. With some big IFS added.
How healthy are the vegetables you are eating? How much poison is on them? Are you balancing all right? Are you adding eggs and nuts for added nutrition? Are those hen who lay eggs antibiotics free and range free? Are you eating enough cleansing food? Are you eating and adding the building cells right or are you washing them away with others?
What is in the meat-how was it preserved? What was the animals condition? What was it fed?

In answer to you.
The point is anyone can go half way with half the benefits and be no better than the other in your question. Or anyone else. Both could be putting the same amount of toxins in their body. You could "both" be wrong and right to on a certain level.
What is needed is the right amount of cell builders and cleaners--a natural way.

Meat you can live without forever but not they other way (veg's and fruit) for long!

Hard -yes and no. Too hard--No.
You can eat healthier. And do much better. Just need to know the true basics.

Answer 3

The major difference between eating meat and no meat is that animal products have cholesterol while plant foods have none. If you were to not eat any animal products you would cut your cholesterol intake to nothing. Both cholesterol and fats (saturated) are commonly found in meats. These are two major contributors to heart disease, which kills more people than cancer in the US.

Now one of things mentioned in another post is likely something to consider. Eating vegetables will sometimes require eating a mixture of certain foods together to get complete proteins.

Answer 4

I've been a vegetarian and a full on meat eater.
I had less energy when I ate meat every day and when I was a vegetarian, I was always hungry.

I found the best balance for me was to eat good quality local meat (Beef and Chicken) or Fish once a week and keep a well balanced vegetarian diet for the rest of the meals. By eating meat only once a week, I dont mind spending the extra money on Organic and Local meats.

If you are doing it purely for health, dont limit yourself by cutting out meat.

Answer 5

A vegetarian diet is far healthier than a meat based diet. As long as you do it right, you get all the nutrients you could possibly need from vegetarian foods. One hundred calories of meat actually has less protein than one hundred calories of broccoli. If you eat the right foods and do the research about what you need to eat, then vegetarianism IS healthier than eating meat.

Answer 6

Humans are not really designed to consume meat. Our intestines are long like a herbivore, our saliva is more alkaline as opposed to the acid saliva in a carnivore, and our teeth are more designed for "grazing".....we are no good at tearing flesh. The fact that we have nothing in which to kill prey, unless we use tools of some kind, is a great indicator. You get perfect proteins by combining foods, such as beans and rice. As a matter of fact, there is such a thing as "protein poisoning." If you consumed too much protein and not enough of other nutrients, it will kill you. No one has ever died from eating too many grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Answer 7

There is no such thing as "essential protein". Your body makes all the proteins from amino acids. These amino acids come from the diet. Meat contains all essential amino acids. So do plant products, just not in the SAME plant product. Combining grains and legumes in a 24 hour period provides all the amino acids we need.

All proteins, meat or plant, are broken to amino acids in the stomach. Therefore, all you need to do is ensure you're getting all essential A.A's and this means eating at least a grain and a legume serving daily. Nuts contain protein but their quality profile is similar to grains.

PS: Dairy and egg proteins are superior to meat anyway. Unless you're going vegan, you don't even need to worry about grain/legume combinations. If you are going vegan well that's still fine, refer previous comments.

Answer 8

You dont need any meat to get protein. Your roommate knows nothing about nutrition. A diet based on whole grains, veggies, fruit, legumes, nuts and seeds is very healthy.

Answer 9

from what ive learned..
heart disease starts at birth.
it is caused by animal protein
sure, by cutting out the red meat, you have less cholestorol and fat in your diet.
but if youre still eating all other forms of meat..
youre still intaking of animal protein.
sure, there are some plus sides to that
heck, its needed for survival.
but thats why there's suppliments, so you can live healthier both ways.
without heart disease, and getting the nutrients you need.

Answer 10

Vegans *never* have to be concerned with Ptomaine poisoning. That's one immediate benefit to a vegetarian diet. Another would be that we don't have to worry about all those nasty parasitic worms that infest meat. Hows that for two good reasons that aren't as abstract as our resistance to heart disease and/or cancer?