Vegetarianism: the healthy alternative

Veronique L. PopeEast Carolina University

English 1100 section 098

Essential Question

• Why be a vegetarian?

• Vegetarians enjoy a multitude of health benefits. “Vegetarians are less likely to have diseases such as coronary disease, hypertension, and type II diabetes” (Vegetarian Diet ). A lower body mass index, and longer life span are just two of the perks of being a vegetarian.

Topics of Discussion

• This presentation will increase the knowledge of one, and answer questions that one may have about Vegetarianism such as:

• What is vegetarianism? • What are the different types of vegetarians?• How does Vegetarianism effect ones health?

What is Vegtarinism?

• Dictionary.com states that a “vegetarian is one who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, or fowl, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grain”. (Vegetarian). The definition further states that some cases, vegetarians do not eat any food derived from animals, indicating that there are multiple types of vegetarians

The different types of vegetarians.

• Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat eggs, dairy products, and honey.

• Lacto vegetarians do not eat eggs, but do eat dairy products and honey.

• Ovo vegetarians do not eat dairy but do eat eggs, and honey.

• Vegans do not eat eggs, dairy products, or honey. Vegans tend to be known as the pure vegetarians because they do not eat anything that comes from an animal.

The benefits of being a Vegetarian.

• Vegetarians enjoy a multitude of health benefits.

• Vegetarians tend to have more energy then meat eaters, because their body is spending less time digesting animal protein.

• Due to the diets being naturally low in fat and sodium vegetarians enjoy a lower blood pressure. A lower blood pressure puts less strain on the body.

How do vegetarians get their nutrients?

• Vegetarians receive all the nutrients required for daily living. Individuals who are vegetarians receive nutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium, protein, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B-12 by substituting meat products with other products such as wheat, tofu, and soy.

The soy bean and the vegetarian.

• Soy is a common substitute for milk among many vegetarians. Soybeans contain the nutrients required for good nutrition. “Almost 40% of the calories in soybeans are derived from protein causing soybeans to be higher in protein than many animal products” (NSRL).

Protein

• Many meat-eating individuals in America have an issue with getting too much protein in their diet, whereas many vegetarians get the adequate amount of protein in their daily diets. There is a small group of vegetarians whom have difficult getting nutrients such as B-12. These individuals use vitamin supplements to give them a healthy and well-balanced nutrient.

So, how does eating meat harm me?

• Plants are grown naturally and are considered to be nature’s gift, whereas meat comes from animals. Many animals are abused and are often heavily injected with steroids. Animals are not fed the same types of foods that a human being would eat. When individuals choose to eat meat, they are eating the same food that the animal ate.

• Within the last three years the FDA has made it legal for meat to be genetically produced. Items that are genetically produced tend to have a decreased life span. This life span decreases by half every time the cycle is continued. It’s said that you are what you eat. This statement holds true to science. If one eats genetically produced meat, then in time his life span will decrease.

• On the other hand, if an individual enjoys a dinner of freshly grown vegetables, then over a period of time his body will be healthier, and he will enjoy a longer life span.

Albert Einstein did it

• Albert Einstein once stated, “Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” His words greatly sum up the benefits of vegetarianism. Many individuals read about new diets and fads that promise to make them healthier and slimmer, but it is clear that vegetarianism is the healthiest and safest lifestyle available that will give people a multitude of healthy benefits for life.

Works cited• "NSRL : About Soy: Soybean Nutrition." NSRL : National

Soybean Research Laboratory. 17 Nov. 2009 <http://www.nsrl.uiuc.edu/aboutsoy/soynutrition.html>.

• "Vegetarian Definition | Definition of Vegetarian at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. 17 Nov. 2009 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vegetarian>.

• "Vegetarian Diet Health Benefits of Vegetarianism."17 Nov. 2009 <http://www.annecollins.com/vegetarian-diet-health-benefits.htm>.

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