What is the point of being vegetarian or vegan?

Question

It's so not healthy and we are omnivores, why do it?

Please dont take me as sounding rude, or like I am trying to judge you. I just want to hear some debate.
-So do you veggies who are dont eat meat for the animals sake wear anything leather (shoes, coats) -Those for the environment (do you drive cars, consider the fumes that come from the farming equipment?)
-Do you treat all insects with respect?
-Supplementing with vitamins will never be as good as the real thing you get from real foods.
-Animals used for food are bred to be food and would not exist otherwise
Most veggies that I have met have been rather skinny and pale (doesnt seem healthy to me)
Another that I knew forced her dog to eat veggie dog food, that is not right.
Many force their children to be veggie, it should be a choice
-Veggies are living things too, how come it is alright to eat one living thing and not another
-Scientifically proven is not a good answer to this, they contradict each other so much you cant go by these so called experts
-Why ok to eat fish not cow?

Answer 1

I hear so many people say it's not healthy...if you took the percentage of unhealthy vegans and compared it to meat eaters, you'd realize that the vegan diet really is healthier.

There are many reasons to be vegan. For one thing, why contribute to the very inhumane slaughter industry? What's the point? People can and have lived very healthy lives as vegetarians and vegans so why contribute to something unethical and unnecessary?

And how are you so sure that humans were meant to be omnivores? There's scientific studies that show otherwise. Here's something taken from an answerer (Abel H) for one of my questions.

Humans are not Omnivores.. We choose to be Omnivores we are Biologically Herbivores

from a scientific standpoint, we were not designed to eat meat (look up Comparative Anatomy of Eating by Milton R. Mills, M.D.):

Facial Muscles:
Carnivore- Reduced to allow wide mouth gape
Herbivore- Well-developed
Omnivore- Reduced
Human- Well-developed

Jaw Type:
Carnivore- Angle not expanded
Herbivore- Expanded angle
Omnivore- Angle not expanded
Human- Expanded angle

Jaw Joint Location:
Carnivore- On same plane as molar teeth
Herbivore- Above the plane of the molars
Omnivore- On same plane as molar teeth
Human- Above the plane of the molars

Jaw Motion:
Carnivore- Shearing; minimal side-to-side motion
Herbivore- No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back
Omnivore- Shearing; minimal side-to-side
Human- No shear; good side-to-side, front-to-back

Major Jaw Muscles:
Carnivore- Temporalis
Herbivore- Masseter and pterygoids
Omnivore- Temporalis
Human- Masseter and pterygoids

Mouth Opening vs. Head Size:
Carnivore- Large
Herbivore- Small
Omnivore- Large
Human- Small

Teeth (Incisors):
Carnivore- Short and pointed
Herbivore- Broad, flattened and spade shaped
Omnivore- Short and pointed
Human- Broad, flattened and spade shaped

Teeth (Canines):
Carnivore- Long, sharp and curved
Herbivore- Dull and short or long (for defense), or none
Omnivore- Long, sharp and curved
Human- Short and blunted

Teeth (Molars):
Carnivore- Sharp, jagged and blade shaped
Herbivore- Flattened with cusps vs complex surface
Omnivore- Sharp blades and/or flattened
Human- Flattened with nodular cusps

Chewing:
Carnivore- None; swallows food whole
Herbivore- Extensive chewing necessary
Omnivore- Swallows food whole and/or simple crushing
Human- Extensive chewing necessary

Saliva:
Carnivore- No digestive enzymes
Herbivore- Carbohydrate digesting enzymes
Omnivore- No digestive enzymes
Human- Carbohydrate digesting enzymes

Stomach Type:
Carnivore- Simple
Herbivore- Simple or multiple chambers
Omnivore- Simple
Human- Simple

Stomach Acidity:
Carnivore- Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach
Herbivore- pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach
Omnivore- Less than or equal to pH 1 with food in stomach
Human- pH 4 to 5 with food in stomach

Stomach Capacity:
Carnivore- 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract
Herbivore- Less than 30% of total volume of digestive tract
Omnivore- 60% to 70% of total volume of digestive tract
Human- 21% to 27% of total volume of digestive tract

Length of Small Intestine:
Carnivore- 3 to 6 times body length
Herbivore- 10 to more than 12 times body length
Omnivore- 4 to 6 times body length
Human- 10 to 11 times body length

Colon:
Carnivore- Simple, short and smooth
Herbivore- Long, complex; may be sacculated
Omnivore- Simple, short and smooth
Human- Long, sacculated

Liver:
Carnivore- Can detoxify vitamin A
Herbivore- Cannot detoxify vitamin A
Omnivore- Can detoxify vitamin A
Human- Cannot detoxify vitamin A

Kidney:
Carnivore- Extremely concentrated urine
Herbivore- Moderately concentrated urine
Omnivore- Extremely concentrated urine
Human- Moderately concentrated urine

Nails :
Carnivore- Sharp claws
Herbivore- Flattened nails or blunt hooves
Omnivore- Sharp claws
Human- Flattened nails

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-So do you veggies who are dont eat meat for the animals sake wear anything leather (shoes, coats) -Those for the environment (do you drive cars, consider the fumes that come from the farming equipment?)
I do it for the animals, and I don't wear anything that came from an animal. (i.e. leather, wool). I'm for the environment, but that's not why I became vegan. I do use a fuel efficeint car though. 35 miles per gallon...not a hybrid but good for its price.

-Do you treat all insects with respect?
I'll kill an insect if it's something harmful like a roach and not care. I'm against the inhumane treatment for animals in slaughter houses, so I guess I wouldn't be fore trapping up a bunch of roaches and breeding them and keeping them in tiny places while feeding them hormones and other dead roaches.

-Supplementing with vitamins will never be as good as the real thing you get from real foods.
I never take vitamins. No vegetarian or vegan should unless they have an actual medical condition.

-Animals used for food are bred to be food and would not exist otherwise
I'd rather them not exist than be tortured for their short lives.

-Most veggies that I have met have been rather skinny and pale (doesnt seem healthy to me)
Reall now? Because I've seen fat vegetarians before. I think you've just met a bad crowd of veggies. Vegetarians and vegans can be just as unhealthy as meat eaters. I wouldn't judge the whole lot by the few that you've met. To be honest, I've never met an unhealthy vegetarian. I'm vegan and am 5'5 and weigh 125 lbs


-Another that I knew forced her dog to eat veggie dog food, that is not right.
Many force their children to be veggie, it should be a choice
My dog loves vegetables and there are vegetarian dog food that's perfectly healthy. I don't see anything wrong with it. Also, yes, I do believe you should give your child the choice. If I had kids, I would raise them to be vegetarian until they could think for themselves and then I would give them the choice.


-Veggies are living things too, how come it is alright to eat one living thing and not another
Because their is no evidence that vegetables feel pain. They don't have emotions or a central nervous system. They're not part of the animal kingdom like people and cows and other animals are.

-Why ok to eat fish not cow?
It's not ok to eat fish and not a cow. There are people who claim to be vegetarian and eat fish, but they're really not vegetarian. They just seem desperate to be part of a group that they don't belong in.

Answer 2

-So do you veggies who are dont eat meat for the animals sake wear anything leather (shoes, coats) -Those for the environment (do you drive cars, consider the fumes that come from the farming equipment?)

I don't buy leather or any other animal products anymore. I am using up the stuff I already had as not to waste it, but I won't buy it anymore.

-Do you treat all insects with respect?

Yes, I'm not going to have a heart attack if I accidentally step on one, but if a bee is intent on stinging me, I'll probably swat it because I'm slightly allergic to bees.

-Supplementing with vitamins will never be as good as the real thing you get from real foods.

I'm sorry, I forgot that beans, vegetables, fruits, etc, aren't real foods, WOW!

-Animals used for food are bred to be food and would not exist otherwise

ROFL. You're an idiot. Forget that question. How close minded ARE YOU?

Most veggies that I have met have been rather skinny and pale (doesnt seem healthy to me)

Check out my Yahoo 360 page if you are truly open to seeing a vegan that is neither of those things.

Another that I knew forced her dog to eat veggie dog food, that is not right.

Dogs can be vegan, cats however cannot.

Many force their children to be veggie, it should be a choice

For my children, when the time comes, it will be a choice ... because my boyfriend is an omnivore. If we were both vegan, why would we buy it different food? There is no lack of nutrients in a child vegans diet. Do some research.

-Veggies are living things too, how come it is alright to eat one living thing and not another

Because they don't have feelings, emotions, central nervous system, brain, etc. Did you pass biology yet?

-Scientifically proven is not a good answer to this, they contradict each other so much you cant go by these so called experts

Errr, then why are you going with what they're saying?

-Why ok to eat fish not cow?

Vegetarians don't eat fish, AT ALL.

Answer 3

In answer to the more specific questions you posted...

-No, I do not wear leather.

-I'm learning to drive. However, I won't be using a car for journeys that I can walk or cycle. Plus the impact of farming on the environment is far bigger than driving. Alll of the cows in the world produce far more greenhouse gases than all of the cars. But there's other impacts on the environment from eating meat too...for example, much of the rainforest is being cut down in order to grow crops to feed farmed animals or provide pasture land for them.

-As for insects, I try not purposefully kill them. If there's an insect in my home I catch it and let it outside. If there was an infestation then yes, I would do something.

-A varied vegetarian diet is unlikely to need supplements.

-Cows and chickens would, no doubt, stil be used to provide eggs and milk.

-I'm not skinny nor pale, I'm a healthy weight for my height. I've actually gained weight since becoming vegetarian.

-I disagree with vegetarian dog foods...but the actions of some doesn't mean we're all bad.

-I also agree that vegetarianism should be a choice for children. Just like I believe religion should be a choice but parents often force that upon their children too.

-Vegetables do not feel pain. Vegetables do not fear death. Vegetables do not suffer.

-Vegetarians don't eat fish. Pescetarians eat fish.

Answer 4

It has its benefits. It's a wonderful detox, it's easier to digest when it's a blazing hot day, it keeps your insides in shape, it makes you feel better, and it's terrific for the adventurous palate.
I eat meat, but no where in the proportions of the average American. 9/10ths of my diet is whole grains, fruits, veggies, and legumes. I'll have maybe 2 eggs a week, and a 4 oz. portion of meat for the whole day.

Meats and dairy do provide some nutrients that can't be got from vegetarian sources. I have a conscience, so I only by humanely slaughtered meats, either halal or kosher.

EDIT:
And I thought neocons were narrow minded.
Pick up a medical journal and try reading between your bong hits before you thumbs down someone with a medical background.

Answer 5

my bf is a vegetarian, but i am not...but i agree with the need in the US and worldwide to reduce meat consumption and choose only to eat meat or fish a couple of times per month.

raising animals for food = increased greenhouse gases
raising animals for food = pollution from giant animal farms putting their waste into the ground/streams/rivers, including dead animals and parts
raising animals for food = animal cruelty in the way that many large processing plants kill the animals

you may not agree with peta's more aggressive methods of disseminating their messages, but watch "meet your meat" at goveg.com and it will likely make you think differently about it. another good source of information: farmsanctuary.org.

to answer your other questions,
- my boyfriend will not buy leather shoes, belts or clothing, which believe it or not, is harder and more expensive than you think. he goes out of his way to not use animal products

- he rides his bike or walks to work if necessary - and we try to limit driving whenever possible. we live in a city where everything we need is accessible by walking, and is partially why we live there

- he will not kill insects in the house. if i find a spider, i make him take it outside! :-)

-regarding vitamin supplements - because vegetarians eat more vegetables than most meat eaters, more whole grains, more beans and have a more varied diet, they are getting better nutritional content than most meat-eaters...however, it's hard to find protein in vegetable and grain sources (at least not the same protein you get in meat), and are often lacking in iron, hence the need for supplements. but meat-eaters take supplements, too...so where's the argument there?

- your description of most vegetarians as pale and skinny is a stereotype. i don't think these famous vegetarians fit that description at all: carrie underwood, josh hartnett, alyssa milano, demi moore...and if you saw my bf you'd see he's pretty healthy, too.

-not everyone on the planet is ever going to give up eating meat, so there would still be cows and pigs. people would still drink milk. but reducing factory farming could have a huge and positive impact on the environment. did you know one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases = not cars, but cows! huge dairy farms and cattle farms = lots of cow manure. and cows producing manure = greenhouse gasses. i'm not kidding. i posted a link to a gross but interesting PSA video about cows and global warming.

- i also believe vegetarianism is a personal choice, however if a child was born into a family that didn't eat or cook meat, it's likely that decision will be made for them purely because that family doesn't eat or cook it. if i were a veg parent, i would certainly allow my child to eat meat if he/she wanted to. my bf's mom is also a vegetarian but she will still cook meat for the rest of the family. some veggies won't.

- as long as the dog is happy and healthy, the owner should be able to feed it whatever they want. dogs are natural scavengers and eat whatever they come across. if it's vegetable based but still healthy, what's the harm?

- some people are fruitarians and eat only fruit that has naturally fallen from a tree/bush/plant. i joke with my bf and accuse him of killing harmless vegetables...but vegetables don't have feelings and don't show fear before they're picked/cooked/chopped...watch the farm videos, and you'll see what i mean.

- it's called open-mindedness. you may not want to exclude meat from your diet, but if you educate yourself as to what it REALLY means in the grand scheme of things (economically, environmentally, ethically), you may change your mind.

But the beauty of it is - it's your choice!

Answer 6

it is actually healthier than being an omnivores, as long as you get the right amount of vitamins and things you need it doesn't matter what you eat, also, farming animals is has a larger impact on the environment than growing food, because plants use carbon dioxide to live so they are actually helping the air, where as cows, produce a lot of gases as well as use oxygen that humans need to breathe, they also eat large amounts of grass, which takes up a lot of space, and the slaughtering process is very wasteful and inhumane, do it for the betterment of humanity

Answer 7

I was born into vegetarianism, no choice! Now it's too late to start eating meat and I just don't have the desire. If I were born into a normal family, I probably would eat meat!

Answer 8

okay well... i disagree with what you said under the main question but i'll answer anyways.

point of being veg*n? some do it for religious reasons, some do it for the health benefits (which there are, in fact, many. go research it) some do it for animal rights, some for ethical reasons

i am vegan because i do not want to cause another animal harm just so i can feed myself. i don't want animals to be exploited in any way, and every person that goes veggie costs the meat industry another consumer.

i am very healthy, healthier than i was before i went vegan. i don't want decaying flesh in my body. and no, i don't support peta.

Answer 9

Personal choice - and it is perfectly healthy if you follow prescribed guidelines for preferred lifestyle. Some people don't eat meat for religious purposes and some for personal reasons but either way we should respect that choice and support them in it. My only request is that they do likewise - no one likes to be preached at and food is a deeply personal topic for all of us. If we just respect each others choices things will go allot smoother.

Answer 10

To live closer to the earth. It IS healthy. You are thinking of a complete lack of protine. In vegitarian or vegan life styles people use soy products to get their protine as opposed to eating animals or fish.