My friend is a vegetarian bc he says it's healthier?

Question

He says that meat is bad for your health. It sounds completely ignorant to me because (my belief) is that humans are naturally omnivores meant to eat vegetation AND meat. What say you? Is not eating meat better for you than eating it?

Also please back up your argument with facts

LOL I am not arguing with my friend that he is wrong, it's not gonna be like "I'm not your best friend anymore!!" PLEASE! I'm older than 9. I just want to see both sides of the argument.

Answer 1

You seem very sceptical, but I applaud you for asking your question at all. It shows you have a mind that is open enough to allow a difference of opinion into your attention. It also seems you have a good relationship with your vegetarian friend, and that you are aware that your thinking that he is ignorant is hindering your relationship from going from good to great, so you're here asking for help to understand the motivation your friend finds in being vegetarian, and instead you get shot down by both sides for being inquisitive.
I say don't listen to the people who only want to ridicule and hurt you. Not all answerers have tried to tell you that you or you're friend are bad or wrong (depending on which way they swing), and the ones who have tried to be welcoming and comforting should be awarded, like the people who answered your question without trying to convert you. I suggest you work out who they are, and thank them for their input.
I don't have much to offer in this area. I read somewhere that the things added to meat can alter live human DNA, essentially mutating human cells into things like cancer, or enter the bloodstream and then the brain affecting attitude, motor function, eye sight, the hypothalamus and the medulla oblongata. Symptoms can be as severe as those experienced by people overdosing on the drug ICE.

The dangers of eating meat is enough of a reason on it's own for a person to become vegetarian, but I suspect when you're friend said he is vegetarian because it's healthier, he was not only refering to a reduction in the consumption of meat, but also an increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables. If you look at the 3 most popular causes of death in the western world, which are stroke, heart disease and cancer, meat eating may or may not be causing them, but eating more veges is proven to reduce a person's risk of death in all 3 of these areas.
At this point, I have not even touched on any of the other big reasons why people become vegetarian, which are human rights, animal rights, animal welfare, and the environment, because your question does not ask about them. It should be noted that any 1 of these reasons is enough to convert some people, but very rarely is a person found to resist the urge to change after hearing the argument posed from all 5 angles. This is the reason so many people are not willing to listen to us at all, and why I want to thank you again for listening to me. If you want to hear about the other arguments, please contact me through my Yahoo Answers profile page by clicking my name.
Good luck, and enjoy the links provided.

Answer 2

The length of the human digestive tract is longer and is chemically designed to break down plant matter. The chemicals linning the stomach are not properly designed to fully digest meat which causes an increase in risk of colon cancer. The human teeth are also more comparative to an herbivour because of the spade shaped mollers and the fact that the human canine teeth are not true defined canines but rather shorter and cone shaped. For these reasons I believe humans are meant to be herbivours. Based off my experience I am much healthier, energetic, and happy since becoming a vegetarian. My doctor has also noticed an increase in my health. I am also the only vegetarian in my family and I am the only one who is not obese. I am within my weight range and not malnourished or anorexic as some people pin vegetarians to be. Diets high in meat content put people at a higher risk of colon cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Based off my own experience and my research I encourage others to switch to a vegetarian lifestyle or at least limit their meat consumption to lean organic meats bought from free range farmers.

Answer 3

He has made the choice that is best for him - if he feels healthier and is watching his food values to get the right nutrients good for him. Is it a better choice? The jury is still out. You can search through the archives of dietary guidelines and see that the facts are all over the place. My take is eat what makes you feel good and maintains your health - don't burden others with your choices and don't condemn them for theirs. If everyone would just let everyone enjoy their diet then we could focus on results and not on politics.

Answer 4

It's the eternal struggle between dieticians. Some say that indeed the animal fats are not good for the body and that vegetarians are better off.
The others say that a meatless diet is not natural and can never provide you with the necessary nutrients.

It's just a struggle of pro's and con's I feel no one can truly win.
I'd ask your friend to respect your choice as you respect his. Each their own.

Answer 5

You are what you eat, as per say.They put hormones in the meat to make the animals grow faster on the factory farms.
The govnt says it's all about the $$.
Plz visit PETA.com

Answer 6

Sorry he is right. I will not spend hours typing information on the PROS of not eating flesh. I do not believe we are meant to be Omnivores. We can live on that diet, but we don't THRIVE on it. We are very unhealthy eating anyway but naturally.
I'll put up a couple main websites. Then it's up to you to educate yourself.
the 1st.. 1 is by Dr. John McDougall. Get into his old newsletters(archives) He touches on all health subjects & the drugs that are coming on the market.
http://www.drmcdougall.com/
The 2nds. is a Health site that shows how & why we are meant to be VEGAN.
http://www.hacres.com/home/home.asp

I hope this opens some interesting doors to your thoughts on this subject.
Slainté(to your health)

Answer 7

you are right, humans are omnivores, and the human brain developed when we started eating more proteins which are found in meat.
i believe a balanced diet, including meat, vegetables, and chocolate all in moderation is the key to a healthy life.

it's so annoying when people want everybody to be just like them and feel so superior just because they don't eat meat or stuff like that. give me a break. let's bbq!

Answer 8

red meats are bad for you. as are meats that aren't organic. some meat can be good for you, while some can't.

anyways, why eat animals?
they were here first. they have every right to live peacefully without humans killing them for food.

Answer 9

Why should we back up our arguement with facts when you have already made your mind up ?

Its true that vegetarians are less prone to cancers, heart desease, obesity and have about 5 years longer life expectancy.

Its well documented and so you, rather than call a vegetarian "ignorant" could actually reduce your ignorance and go find the data yourself --- http://www.vegsoc.org/health/index.html

I can't be bothered digging out the facts, sorry.

Answer 10

You should listen to your friend. "Friends don't let friends eat meat," or don't you know that slogan?

Why would you even entertain the idea of violence on your plate? Isn't there enough horror in the world without having literally to eat it, as well?

Consider this: Every animal you eat had a mother, was part of a community, had feelings and a soul.

Go on; practice an ethical diet. You'll soon feel healthier -- just like your friend. Give it a try. You know you're curious; why else would you wonder about it here? DO IT!