Vegetarianism    

Prompt:    There  has  been  a  long  debate  on  whether  or  not  a  vegetarian  or  vegan  diet  is  healthier  than  a  diet  that  includes  meat.  Using  the  information  below,  write  an  essay  in  which  you  argue  the  benefits  of  either  a  vegetarian/vegan  diet  or  a  diet  that  includes  the  consumption  of  meat.  Cite  at  least  3  quotes  from  these  excerpts.    Definitions  Vegan:  a  vegetarian  who  omits  all  animal  products  from  the  diet  (i.e.  mild,  cheese,  eggs).  Vegetarian:    Avoids  all  meat  but  will  eat  cheese,  milk,  eggs,  etc.                    

         

Most vegetarians go back to meat despite the benefits of vegetarianism Jessica Brantley Vegetarian and vegan diets have been popular for quite some time now. Even popular celebrities like Alicia Silverstone, Bryan Adam, Jason Mraz and Carrie Underwood have claimed to adopt a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle at some point in their lifetime. But according to a recent study by the Human Research Council (HRC), it seems that it is easier to quit a vegetarian/vegan diet than it is to start one. Of the 11,399 adults age 17 and older surveyed for the study, 84 percent stated that they went back to eating meat at some point in their lives. So why would someone even consider a meatless diet, if it is so difficult to maintain? According to the HRC study, current vegans and vegetarians stay motivated to keep their diet due to health, animal protection, disgust of animal products, environment and/or taste.

Another study, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), lists several health benefits of following a meatless diet, including the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia. This decreased risk of disease is because vegan and vegetarian diets tend to be lower in saturated fat, cholesterol and animal protein and higher in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins C and E, carotenoids and other phytochemicals. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows the benefits of a plant-based diet on the environment. According to the study, production of meat leads to shortages of cropland, fresh water and energy sources force most of the 4 billion people to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Furthermore, producing one kilogram of animal protein requires about 100 times more water than producing 1 kilogram of grain protein. Clearly there are several benefits to adopting a vegetarian or vegan diet, but there are many disadvantages as well. In the HRC study, the majority of the participants abandoned the plant-based diet due to insufficient interaction with other vegetarians or vegans and because it made them “stick out from the crowd”. The NCBI also listed health concerns of following a vegan or vegetarian diet, such as deficiencies in protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins B12 and A, fatty acids and iodine. These health concerns, however, are due more to poor meal-planning and not eating a well-balanced diet. It is entirely possible to follow a plant-based diet and avoid such deficiencies. Now you may be asking, is a vegan or vegetarian diet right for me? If you are considering such a lifestyle, try starting slow and learning more about the two. For a start, vegetarianism means no meat consumption, and there are different levels of vegetarians. Vegans, on the other hand, are much stricter with their diets and lifestyles, as they will not eat or wear any type of animal product. Even if you decide that becoming vegetarian or vegan is not for you, you can still help your health and the environment by simply eating less meat. Try to make it fun and do “Meatless Monday”, or try a new fad vegan/vegetarian restaurant or dish. Many of them are absolutely delicious, and you will not even miss the meat! Just try to do your part in creating a healthier, more sustainable world. Your body and the environment will thank you.

Brantley, Jessica. "Most Vegetarians Go Back to Meat despite the Benefits of Vegetarianism." Mod Vive. Modus Vivendi LLC, 7 Dec. 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.

Is This Why Most Vegetarians Go Back to Eating Meat? Being vegetarian or vegan is no easy feat–in fact, most people turn back to meat, giving up their go-to healthy eating pattern

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen

Jennifer Lopez did it and lost 10 pounds. Carrie Underwoodsays it changed her life. Your co-worker says it cleared up her acne and gave her tons of energy. And no wonder—eating veg has been shown to have lots of great health benefits. But if you're thinking of giving up animal products for the new year, you might want to consider a recent survey that found that being a vegetarian or vegan is "just a phase" for most people, with 88 percent ending up back at the meat counter again.

Surprisingly, the reason most people quit eating vegetarian is the same reason most start: their health. "The main reasons vegetarians agree to start incorporating more animal products in their diet are declining energy levels, change in skin or hair, and even weight gain," says Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., CEO and founder of NY Nutrition Group. "Strict vegans and vegetarians are at risk for developing certain nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc, b-vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, and protein," she explains. "Plant-based sources of these nutrients do exist, however, not as abundantly as in animal products." She adds that this is often less of a problem for vegetarians than strict vegans, as they have an easier time getting the necessary nutrients because they usually don't eliminate dairy and eggs. (Need to stock up on vitamins? Check out the variety from GNC Live Well.)

Figuring out how to plan, shop for, and cook all-veg meals is another issue that sends many new vegans back to the comfort of their grilled cheese. "Following a nutritionally adequate vegetarian, and especially vegan lifestyle, requires a lot of on-going education, meal planning, time, and consistency," Moskovitz says. And then there's the weight gain. Yes, you read that right. One of the main reasons people give for trying a vegetarian or vegan diet is wanting to lose weight. While radical changes to your diet do often lead to some pounds dropped—often from not eating because you're not sure what you can eat—over time, many people find that those pounds, and then some, come back. "When you eliminate a huge food group such as animal products, carbs and fat-dense foods usually take its place, and they tend to have more of a fat-accumulating effect on the body than high-protein foods," Horowitz says. In addition, protein is very satiating, which means it will help you feel fuller longer.

Still, many people decide to try vegetarian diets for reasons other than their weight or health, like ethical concerns over the treatment of animals, worries about the environment, or cost. And the study found that people who end up falling off the vegetable cart, especially those who chose vegetarianism for moral reasons, can feel devastated—and this guilt can wreck your health. "When it comes to sustaining a healthy diet, a large part of that revolves around one's relationship with food," Horowitz says. "Feeling guilty after eating, no matter what type of food it is, can be a negative behavior with serious consequences that can interfere with intuition and the ability to trust your own body."

So instead of obsessing over the "right" way to eat, Horowitz advises focusing on eating a wide variety of nutritious foods that make you feel healthy and happy.

Andersen, Charlotte Hilton. "Is This Why Most Vegetarians Go Back to Eating Meat?" Shape Magazine. Shape.com, 29 Dec. 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.

Pro & Con Arguments: "Should People Become Vegetarian?"

PRO Vegetarian

1. It is cruel and unethical to kill animals for food when vegetarian options are available. Animals are sentient beings that have emotions and social connections. Scientific studies show that cattle, pigs, chickens, and all warm-blooded animals can experience stress, pain, and fear. [100] In the United States about 35 million cows, 115 million pigs, and 9 billion birds are killed for food each year.[96] These animals should not have to die to satisfy an unnecessary dietary preference.

2. Human anatomy has evolved to support a primarily vegetarian diet. Humans do not have the large mouth or long, pointed teeth of carnivores. Human teeth are short and flat for chewing fibrous food. Carnivores have short intestines (3-6 times body length) while human intestines are long (10-11 times body length) to allow slower digestion of plant foods. The liver of a carnivore can detoxify the excess vitamin A absorbed from a meat-based diet. The human liver cannot detoxify excess vitamin A. [62]

3. A vegetarian diet delivers complete nutrition and can provide health benefits. According to the American Dietetic Association, a vegetarian diet can meet protein requirements,

CON Vegetarian

1. Eating meat is not cruel or unethical; it is a natural part of the cycle of life. Vegetarians mistakenly elevate the value of animal life over plant life. Research shows that plants respond electrochemically to threats and may feel fear, [98] so vegetarians are also causing harm every time they kill and eat a plant. Every organism on earth dies or is killed, at some point, so others organisms can live. There is nothing wrong with this cycle; it is how nature works.

2. Eating meat has been an essential part of human evolution for 2.3 million years. [14]The inclusion of meat in the ancestral diet provided a dense form of nutrients and protein that, when combined with high-calorie low-nutrient carbohydrates such as roots, allowed us to develop our large brains and intelligence. [63] Evidence shows our taste buds evolved to crave meat's savory flavor. [57]

3. Meat is the most convenient protein source available. In one serving, meat provides all the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein), as well as essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. [61] Most plant foods do not

provide all the essential amino-acids (the building blocks of protein), and improve health. It can also provide all the necessary vitamins, fats, and minerals, and can improve one’s health. [1] [2] According to the USDA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, meat is not an essential part of a healthy diet. [68] [123]

4. A vegetarian diet can help alleviate world hunger. Over 10 pounds of plant protein are used to produce one pound of beef protein. [24] If these grains were fed to humans instead of animals, more food would be available for the 925 million people in chronic hunger worldwide. [105] Research from Cornell University found that the grain used to feed US livestock alone could feed 800 million people. [107]

5. A vegetarian diet reduces the chances of developing kidney stones and gallstones.Diets high in animal protein cause the body to excrete calcium, oxalate, and uric acid—the main components of kidney stones and gallstones. A diet high in animal protein is responsible for the high rates (15% of men and 7% of women) of kidney stones in the United States, according to a peer-reviewed Nov. 15, 1999 study. [6]

provide adequate levels of all the essential amino acids in a single serving.

4. Eating meat provides healthy saturated fats, which enhance the function of the immune and nervous systems. Saturated fats contain the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, [49] and the cholesterol from saturated animal fat is needed for the proper function of serotonin receptors in the brain. According to a Feb. 7, 2014 study by researchers at the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, vegetarians "suffer significantly more often from anxiety disorder and/or depression." [133] Low cholesterol levels have been linked to depression. Saturated fats are also essential for building and maintaining cell health, and help the body absorb calcium. [101]

5. Meat is the best source of vitamin B12, a vitamin necessary to nervous and digestive system health. Although it is also found in eggs and dairy, [46] a peer-reviewed July 2003 study showed two in three vegetarians were vitamin B12 deficient compared to one in 20 meat eaters. [47]

Did You Know?

1. Environmental damage caused by grazing livestock has been a factor in the listing of 171 species under the Endangered Species Act. [92]

2. Two in three vegetarians are vitamin B12 deficient, compared to one in 20 meat eaters, according to a peer-reviewed July 2003 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. [47]

3. According to the American Dietetic Association a vegetarian diet can meet protein requirements and provide all the essential amino-acids (the building blocks of protein) a person needs for optimal health. [2]

4. Archaeological evidence shows that humans have been eating meat for at least 2.3 million years. [14]

5. The average American gets 67% of his or her dietary protein from animal sources, compared with a world-wide average of 34%. [33]

6. A 2012 Gallup poll found that approximately 5% of Americans (15,695,702 people) considered themselves to be vegetarian, and 2% (6,278,281 people) considered themselves to be vegan. [127]