benefits and risks of being a vegetarian?

Answer 1

Ethical questions aside-eating a plant based diet is healthier and more sustainable.
Risks-there are none, if a person takes the time to educate themselves about food combinations that will provide sufficient nutrients without meat.
The idea that vegetarians must necessarily take supplements to stay healthy is so old-sure, a vegetarian can choose to eat wisely or to eat junk, just like an omnivore. It's your choice.

Answer 2

Here are the benefits that I have enjoyed:
I have really learned to cook, and enjoy cooking. Before (granted, this was nine years ago) my idea of cooking was grilling hamburgers. Now I make all kinds of really delicious food, like curries, homemade pizza, stir fries, soups and stews, etc. Not to mention brownies and cupcakes! I definitely eat a lot better and really savor and enjoy food in a way that I never did before. Paying attention to what I was putting into my mouth had health benefits, but also taste benefits!

I am never sick. Back in the "dark ages" when I drank a good bit of diet coke and Atkins diet fare, I developed ulcers, anemia, constant nausea, and inability to sleep well (due to the caffeine.) Now that the meat and other junk (and I loved brussell sprouts, broccoli, etc. So I did not subsist on crap!) was replaced by whole grains, more vegetables that are cooked to perfection, fruits, nuts, beans, etc, ALL of those problems went away. Not over night, but they did!

Even though switching to a veg diet was not motivated by weight loss, I still lost 24 lbs in a year. Still eating peanut butter, pasta, avocado, etc. I did not "diet". I just got rid of the meat and replaced it with better things.

The best part is that I sleep through the night, every night, and never wake. I used to sleep all day, in 2 hour stretches, because I was constantly awakened by digestive problems. I am so thankful that I have never had any illness or anything... we'll see how it goes in the future!

The only downside I have found is other people. I never talk about my veg lifestyle unless someone asks me. But those well-meaning folks who do know about it often feel the need to read the menu to me, telling me "Oooh, you can eat THAT!" Never mind I can eat half the things on the menu, duh! And my chain-smoking, 10-cups-of-coffee-a-day mother trying to give me diet advice. That is seriously painful to endure, and I don't suggest it to anyone without a zipper on their mouth. ;)

Answer 3

The risks are that you might not get enough protein in your diet. That you might feel alienated from those who are not vegetarian.

The benefits are that you potentially can be much healthier than a meat eater. If you eat right you will have less of a chance for diseases like cancer and heart disease. Its easier to stay trim. You should have an easier time digesting your food as most vegetarian food is lighter. Also you will help to alleviate the pressure on the environment as it takes an exponential amount of resources to raise meat as to opposed to vegetarian sources.

Finally but not least you can sleep at night knowing that you did not have to kill another being just to satiated you taste buds. We live in a world of plenty were it is more than possible for the majority of us to make a compassionate choice. Since I have stopped eating meat I have significantly less nightmares and animals come up to me and are friends with me on a level I had not previously experience. In short the benefits heavily outweigh the risks. I hope you will well up the courage and try it out as it truly is a higher road.

Answer 4

Benefits--overall excellent healthy (but you must cut out oils, dairy and all animal biproducts or you aren't really a vegetarian.

Risks--the only risk I know of is vitamin B12 deficiency. But if you eat fermented soy products like nori, soy sauce, tempeh, etc, you will be fine. You don't need that much. It would take at least a year to cause any defficiency anyway.

Remember to include legumes in your diet which provide you with all the proteins your body needs.

Answer 5

the benefits are obvious. fresh vegetables and fruits will keep you cleaned out, they are healthy and besides, the taste good and are filling. the only thing i worry about. after watching a program about "walking with cave men", it was either on the discovery channel or national geographic, i can't remember. the reason we developed to the homo sapien level was because of the protein in meat. i sometimes wonder if we go back to all vegetarian, will or future generations reverse in brain power. i have had a lot of my friends say "no that can't happen. but i believe any thing is possible and to find out for sure, you have to look a generations in the distant future.

Answer 6

Benifits:
animals dont suffer, the average american consumes 1 million pounds of meat each year, most meat containing trans fat,
you live much longer.

risks;
if you're not careful, you may lack protien i suggest prtien supplements, drinkds and bars daily. nuts are a great sourse of protien as well

I have been vegan for 25 years. I am nice and skinny and i feel soooooo healthy.

Answer 7

This google video will give you all the info you need. Just watched it today and I recommend highly.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3881515735687284929&q=a+diet+for+all+reasons&hl=en

Answer 8

www.peta2.com
i know that PETA has been targeted for so much... yes, some chapters use violence. but not all PETA supporters do.

if you go there, you can get health information and so much more.