becoming an environmental vegetarian...?

Question

I've wanted to become a vegetarian for a while now, but not b/c of the cruelty of the animals, but because of the economical value it would provide...but I don't have any statistics or things to tell my family, and they don't believe me. Does anyone have any info on how more people in the world would have food if people gave the grain that we are feeding cows to starving people? are there any vegetarians out there that are vegetarians for the same reason?? and, having never been a vegetarian before, are there anythings i need to know about becoming one?

Answer 1

There are so many reasons to go veg from the world hunger and environmental standpoints. These links have lots of info and statistics:

World hunger:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/famine/story/0,12128,865087,00.html
http://goveg.com/worldhunger.asp
http://goveg.com/worldHunger-animalAgriculture.asp

"If everyone went vegan, there would be more than enough food to nourish the world's entire population—more than 6.3 billion people."

Environment:
http://www.alternet.org/environment/47668
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?142
http://goveg.com/environment.asp

"Animals raised for food have to eat as many as 16 pounds of grain to create just 1 pound of edible flesh."

Also see this site for more environmental info, health info, and transition tips: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/

Good luck!

Answer 2

You're getting good answers, but to Farmer Henry up there, let me just say that if the crops used to grow animal feed were used to grow crops that could feed people then yes, it would help feed people if we got rid of the beef industry.

Girl, once you find out what they do to those animals and how unecessary it is to eat animal proteins (meat OR milk OR eggs) you will be a vegetarian for ALL the reasons. There are so, so many.

Answer 3

Well, the U.N.--no pro-veg group by any means--has determined that the pollution caused by animal industry (only the most Orwellian of souls can really call it farming anymore) is greater than that produced by cars. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that runoff from factory farms pollutes the waterways more than any other industrial source. It takes hundreds of times the water to produce a pound of flesh foods than a pound of plant foods. It takes at least 10 times the fossil fuels to produce a calorie of meat protein than a calorie of vegetable protein. It's not only an incredible waste of resources, but pollutes our air and waterways.

Seventy percent of all grains grown in this country are used to feed animals who are confined for their flesh. Theoretically, that could be used to feed people, BUT only if distributed to people who need it. So I prefer not to use the argument of how many more people could be fed, just the stat of how much food that is grown goes to the animals--let others figure it out for themselves.

For the health and environmental aspects of vegetarianism, check out Howard Lyman's "Mad Cowboy." He is a former rancher who quit over 20 years ago after an illness caused by the chemicals he used on his family's ranch. And he also shatters the stereotype of the thin sickly vegan.

For the animal rights, health, and environmental issues, check out Compassion Over Killing (www.cok) and ask for a starter guide.

Answer 4

The only use we have for bovines is meat, milk, and rodeo. They are all different kinds of cattle. If no one ate beef, I imagine beef cattle would be allowed to become extinct. We would still need dairy cattle, unless you wanted everyone to start drinking soy milk. And rodeo steers? Man, that's a hard one. If we lose steers then we lose cowboys wearing those tight jeans. Personally, I do NOT want to lose the PBR cowboys on Saturday night TV. So, I say we forget about the plan to stop eating meat. This Saturday night, I'm grilling a steak (very rare, please and no steak sauce), pouring a HUGE glass of milk and watching the cowboys on the Professional Bull Riders tour. A big YUM to all three.

Answer 5

here's an article from greenpeace.org with some interesting bits o' info:
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/getinvolved/green-guide/green-lifestyle/go-vegetarian

and:
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianvegan101/f/environment.htm

best wishes!

Answer 6

Well come to the world of vegetarian because of you more and more animals will save their lives thanks,please dont eat any animals products also eggs & fish are non-veg
Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.

Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.

Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.

A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.

Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.

Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.

Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.

Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.

Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.

Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.

ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:
More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.

1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.

" Source: Seventh day Adventists study

2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.

3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.

4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.

5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.

Answer 7

http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/articles/vegetarianism.htm

http://www.goveg.com/