Benefits of being a Vegetarian
Are There Any Health Benefits of Going Vegetarian?
Why does one become a vegetarian? Is it because of the health benefits, animal rights, or maybe something else? Although animal activists, religious reasons, and money reasons are a large reason why people choose to become a vegetarian, health factors are also a large reason why people chose this lifestyle. Today, six to eight million adults in the United States do not eat meat, fish, or poultry, according to a Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, a nonprofit organization that disseminates information about vegetarianism (Harvard, 2009). Everyone has it in their mind that vegetarians are so much healthier than meat-eaters, but is it really true? Why would cutting meat out of one 's diet really make that much of a difference? Vegetarians do tend to lead a healthier lifestyle, because they plan meals intently, making sure their meals contain all of the vitamins and nutrients they need. According to Betty Kovacs, a registered dietitian, “Most Americans of all ages eat fewer than the recommended number of servings of grain products, vegetables, and fruits, even though consumption of these foods is associated with a substantially lower risk for many chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer" (Kovacs, 2009). Vegetarians take greater care into planning meals to make sure they are getting the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients. However, is that the only perk? Digesting all of the vitamins and nutrients one needs? No, it 's not. Research shows that becoming a vegetarian has many health benefits such as lower cancer rates, lower obesity rates, and lower heart disease rates. Documentation shows many different studies that have been conducted that prove people who do not eat meat are much less susceptible to get cancer, have heart disease or high blood pressure and they are much less likely to be overweight. Harvard Health Publications states, “Hundreds of
Why does one become a vegetarian? Is it because of the health benefits, animal rights, or maybe something else? Although animal activists, religious reasons, and money reasons are a large reason why people choose to become a vegetarian, health factors are also a large reason why people chose this lifestyle. Today, six to eight million adults in the United States do not eat meat, fish, or poultry, according to a Harris Interactive poll commissioned by the Vegetarian Resource Group, a nonprofit organization that disseminates information about vegetarianism (Harvard, 2009). Everyone has it in their mind that vegetarians are so much healthier than meat-eaters, but is it really true? Why would cutting meat out of one 's diet really make that much of a difference? Vegetarians do tend to lead a healthier lifestyle, because they plan meals intently, making sure their meals contain all of the vitamins and nutrients they need. According to Betty Kovacs, a registered dietitian, “Most Americans of all ages eat fewer than the recommended number of servings of grain products, vegetables, and fruits, even though consumption of these foods is associated with a substantially lower risk for many chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer" (Kovacs, 2009). Vegetarians take greater care into planning meals to make sure they are getting the correct amount of vitamins and nutrients. However, is that the only perk? Digesting all of the vitamins and nutrients one needs? No, it 's not. Research shows that becoming a vegetarian has many health benefits such as lower cancer rates, lower obesity rates, and lower heart disease rates. Documentation shows many different studies that have been conducted that prove people who do not eat meat are much less susceptible to get cancer, have heart disease or high blood pressure and they are much less likely to be overweight. Harvard Health Publications states, “Hundreds of
References: Benefits of Vegetarianism. (2006). Seven Common Vegetarian Health Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.benefitsofvegetarianism.com/vegetarian-health- benefits.html Brown University. (2010). Being a Vegetarian. Retrieved from http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/ Deusen, A. (2012). 6 Reasons to Eat Less Meat. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publications. (2009). Becoming a Vegetarian. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/2009/ McVeigh, K. (2009). Vegetarians less likely to develop cancer than meat eaters, says study. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk Vegetarian Times. (2012). Why Go Veg?. Retrieved from http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a- vegetarian/. Zeratsky, K. (2007). Vegetarian diet: Will it help me lose weight?. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vegetarian-diet/AN01580.