what are the benefits of becoming a vegetarian?

Answer 1

If done wisely, there is a dramatic reduction in risk of cardiovascular diseases and many cancers.
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML_(Draft).htm
No one has to die or suffer just to feed you

Have you seen this? http://meat.org

There have been vegan Olympic gold medalists and a vegan woman can create an ENTIRELY NEW,HEALTHY HUMAN BEING INSIDE OF HER. Many of these children stay vegan and grow up to be perfectly healthy adults. So just keep yourself educated about what you eat and don't let anyone tell you that a veg diet is lacking anything essential.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Lewis
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_933_ENU_HTML_(Draft).htm

Here are some more veg people:
http://www.mikemahler.com/index.html
http://www.vegetarianbodybuilder.com/index2.html
http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=bios
http://www.andreascahling.com/andreas-about
http://www.billpearl.com/career.asp
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-23-27/Salim-Stoudamire-Runs-on-Broccoli.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Danzig
http://www.scottjurek.com/career.php
http://www.nfl.com/players/rickywilliams/profile?id=WIL271115
http://www.brendanbrazier.com/raceresults/index.html

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If you want to become a lacto-ovo vegetarian, the transition should be quite simple. Almost all meats have widely available commercial replacements. All that you have to do is replace any flesh in your diet (beef, pork, poultry, seafood) with meat analogs or just leave it out altogether.

You should keep in mind that a journey such as this can be quite short but should just be the beginning of a longer one to a plant-based diet with no animal products. This is because of the reality of factory farming in which animals that are kept alive to produce milk, eggs, etc suffer much more and longer than animals that are raised to a certain weight and then slaughtered.http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/
http://meat.org
Some people use the word "vegan" in reference to this idea, but be aware that applying that label to yourself should always come with the inclusion of wise activism and advocacy.http://www.veganoutreach.org/advocacy/index.html
Two extremely important examples of this are that you should never speak to someone about vegetarianism/veganism without their consent and genuine interest or as a comment on what they are eating AND your dietary beliefs should never be used as an introduction or explanation of who you are as a person. Veg*ism should be something that comes up AFTER people get to know you and they offer you a situation that makes it confusing to withhold the information/discussion. Also, if you are presented something that you choose not to eat or you are
ordering food/eating together somewhere/picking the best place to eat.

When you you hold off on the subject until it's necessary and then act like it isn't a big deal at all, people are usually surprised and WAY more interested and curious than if you were to bring it up when someone's eating or just using it as a conversation starter.

A responsible vegan ALWAYS studies the subject of their own health and how to keep their body completely provided for in every sense. http://www.veganhealth.org/sh
To neglect their body is to define a plant-based diet as unhealthy and is the opposite of helping the animals.

Just to clear things up, the vegetarian/vegan diet is not composed of salads, vegetables, fruit and fake meat. Fruits and vegetables are always important but they DO NOT make up the largest portion of any healthy diet.
A balanced plant-based diet includes grains(breads, pasta, rice,cereal), legumes(soy, beans, peas, lentils), fruit and vegetables.
http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/food_groups.html
http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/
http://www.veganoutreach.org/whyvegan/eating.html
Being vegan can be an art, one whose challenge is to take things that involve the suffering of the innocent and change them into something free of cruelty.

A vegan woman can create an ENTIRELY NEW,HEALTHY HUMAN BEING INSIDE OF HER. Many of these children stay vegan and grow up to be perfectly healthy adults. So just keep yourself educated about what you eat and don't let anyone tell you that a veg diet is lacking anything essential.

Technically the term "vegetarian" does imply that you don't consume anything that comes from the body of an animal that requires killing it. Many ingredients such as gelatin and glycerin are found in many candies, Fig-Newtons, and many of other foods as well as rennet found in many cheeses.
http://www.happycow.net/health-animal-ingredients.html
The best thing to remember is to take your time so that for example: when you are comfortable not eating beef and pork you can then give up chicken when you are sure you can make the commitment permanently.
Depending on your age or reliance on parents or regional options, it may not be best to give yourself a label. The important thing is to do your best to make progress and be committed to your compassion towards animals. Never put your focus onto what you or other people use to describe yourself.

If you meet someone that talks down to people for eating meat, dairy, etc or to you because they think they are "more veg" than you, laugh in their face and tell them they are a disgrace to the entire philosophy. People like this only hurt the idea of veg*ism AND the animals. The point of all of this is to live compassionately and and as free from cruelty as you can, all the while maintaining your health and a positive attitude. People who don't maintain either, need not open their mouths and represent our beliefs.

If you actually choose to read all of this, I hope it helps. If not, feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.

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I'm vegan and these are some of my favorite things to eat:

Breakfast: bananas, cream of wheat with brown sugar and soy butter, cereal, pancakes or french toast with real maple syrup, vegan "sausage" patties, smoothies.

Snack: BRUSSEL SPROUTS =) no joke

Lunch: vegan "sausage" sandwiches, sandwiches with vegan deli slices(Tofurkey is the only one that's kinda funky), fruit, dinner leftovers, couscous salad, vegan sushi, potato or pasta salad.

Dinner: sloppy joes, "sausage" and gravy with homemade biscuits, Spaghetti and Trader Joe's "meatballs" or TVP, lasagna, Thai pad see ew, pad khi mao(drunkard's noodles), pad prig king, tofu+eggplant with basil sauce, yellow thai curry with tofu or vegan chikn and veggies and jasmine rice, Indian dal with homemade roti or dosai, channa masala, aloo gobi, vegetable or minestrone soup, pizza, STEAMED "PORK" BUNS with potstickers or spring rolls, sweet&sour/orange/lemon chikn, vegan pho or wonton soup, baked tofu, BBQ homemade seitan (tastes like BBQ'd ribs), kabobs

I use these sites to find recipes:
http://www.foodnetwork.com
http://vegweb.com
http://www.recipezaar.com

Answer 2

Well it depends on you as an individual - try not eating meat for a week or so and you will figure out how you feel about it overall and can decipher the benefits better. But in general I would expect that you would feel more calm, clear minded, purposeful, healthy, not heavy ridden with meat sitting in your stomach, and it all really depends on your intention and motives in abstaining from animal products - is it a personal or social decision? It will also show you how much you dont need to eat, vegetables can be quite fulfilling and satisfying. If you crave the meat, dont deny yourself, eat it, and then see how you feel afterwards and judge for yourself. And dont ever feel pressured into being a vegetarian or anything really, just go with your intuition and what feels right for you.

Answer 3

I was a vegitarian for the last 8 and 1/2 months untill today. I lost no weight whatsoever so I suggest not becoming one if your looking for weight loss. I did however feel more healthier and I had more energy overall. I did however miss out on TONS of protein (this can be avoided when you eat peanut butter or fish [you can eat fish if you want to become pescuhtarian]) and I also felt my muslces seem to weaken. I found it incredibly hard because I missed bugers and other meat items. Even though most super markets have lots of Vegitarian meats I really missed meat. Overall if your looking to benefit animals & feel healthier then go for it! But I am warning you its hard to stop eating meat and you may gradually want to stop instead of rushing into it.

Hope I helped (:

Answer 4

if you can do it... (not all can.. some do need animals fats and proteins.. our bodies are different)

it depends... most times there's weight loss.. vitamin and mineral improvements..

fiber increase which is always good for the colon.

iron increase... potassium increase (we need our potassium)

reduction in GERD (acid reflux disease.. that's really unpleasant)

some may get clearer skin who suffer acne... others may be able to handle exercise better with a more sufficient diet with lesser inert materials you get from processed foods.

lower blood pressure... resistance to diabetes....

the list could go on.

thus remembering it's fresh fruits and veggies... primarily.. i know too many veggie heads out there who do the canned/frozen and they get sick... canned and frozen doesn't have any nutrients like fresh.. because it's all been cooked out for the canning/frozen storage process.

lower cholesterol.. lower triglycerides.. so much other things...

the only way to know is to try.

but technically it's the EAT YOUR VEGGIES standard... whether or not you go vegan/vegetarian... more meat eaters should stop the processed crap and eat more fresh.. if you're going to eat meat.. get it from the butcher.. (less additives of course! ) and always put side dishes of fresh fruits and veggies with your meals, it's healthy.

remember what gramma said... finish your vegetables or no dessert... or beer or... :D

just eating better makes a huge difference over all.

Answer 5

Greater energy, increased focus.

Lower risks of osteoperosis and heart disease.

Lower bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure.

An un-impeded digestive system working at double the usual meat eating capacity.

Better skin and nails from more essential fats consumption and less saturated fat consumption.

Improved liver and kidney health, from lightening the constant toxic load.

Eating more live food and vegetables will also increase your anti-oxidant intake, lowering cancer risks.

Eating less meat will also improve the bodies overall PH levels, which well give health benefits over all areas of the mind body.

theres probably more, thats just what i can think of off the top of my head.

the digestive function is the reason i stay vegetarian, meat slows down your system so much, hah never again.

Answer 6

ive been one for about 8 months now. overall, ive started feeling much more energized, and have been much happier. i became one because i felt bad for animals and now ive cut out meat, poultry [except for eggs] gelatin, and fish. ive felt much healthier and have found that i perform even better in my main areas of sports and music. i missed meat at first, but found that was able to mimic the flavors in much healthier ways such as with soy [which is nearly a perfect mimic right down to the texture] and vegetable substitutes. protien is slightly more of a challenge, but soy and tofu are rich in it and i also reccomend eating beans and peanutbutter [although i really dont like peanutbutter much myself] if u decide to go vegan, you might want to consider taking vitamin supplements though because cutting out dairy is another major descion. as far as iron goes, dried fruits are a good decision, as are some vegetables. by becoming vegetarian, i hav also had to worry a bit less about what i eat [as long as no meat is involved] because vegetarian options to meat meals tend to be lower in fat, saturated fat, and calories. if you are ready for a healthier life style, i say go for it!

Answer 7

1. Minimizes the risk of coronary heart disease

2. Reduces the risk of high blood pressure

3. Lowers cholesterol

4. Lowers body weight and reduces the risk of obesity

5. Minimizes the risk of certain types of cancer such as colon and breast cancer

6. Lowers the risk of digestive disorders

7. Increases Longevity (Who doesn't want a longer life?!)


Kim at: http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/vegetarianism.html

Answer 8

You save money!! I spend way less eating vegetarian.

Answer 9

Apart from proven health benefits.

You let the animal live longer....

GO VEGGIE.....................

Answer 10

You become a scrawny, fanatic with bad breath.

Answer 11

You can proudly wear your birkenstocks.