Writing Homework

Baker

Miranda Baker

Professor Elizabeth Phillips

Writing 121

9 July 2016

Vegetarians

A vegetarian’s diet can show outstanding health benefits. There are many different types of vegetarians and the fact that all of them are actually better for you than eating meat is telling us a lot about those meat eaters out there. Meat may be delicious but it’s not good for your heart, your cholesterol or your body, period. There are many facts out in the world that it’s good to eat meat but in reality you may not notice how eating meat can put a strain on your body and on your health.

There are many different types of vegetarians in the world. I am a type of vegetarian myself and since I’ve started to do this diet for four and a half years now I’ve been shown that not eating meat can give you more strength, more energy and all around be better for you. The four main types of vegetarians are regular old vegetarians who don’t eat any animal meat or animal products whatsoever. Then there are the vegetarians that are known to be called pescatarians. They don’t eat any type of meat besides seafood. This is the type of vegetarian that I am.

When I first started being a vegetarian I did not think that I could do it. I mean going your whole life eating meal to then just one day stop eating any meat was hard and it was difficult for the first month. After that month I didn’t crave any meat. I actually didn’t really want any of it. I was not interested in it. It seemed gross now and just thinking about it made me not want it even more. I’ve always been a huge seafood fan so I could not give this up no matter how much I knew about all of the terrible things that the farmers did to these poor helpless animals. When researching this topic I have learned that vegetarian diets are far more healthy than the leading average american that consumes meat on a regular basis. Vegetarians have a lower body weight, they have better cholesterol levels, they live longer and they have a lower risk of developing cancer. These are just a small few of the benefits of being a vegetarian. It’s interesting to see that just by cutting out a small little change to our diets, there is so much good and possibility that can come from it. “An article published in Food Technology in October 2012 informs that plant-based diets either reduce or completely eliminate people’s genetic propensity to developing long-term diseases, including diabetes type two, cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

There are so many different scary diseases in this world and it’s so essential that we know that we have a choice to chose between the two. You are much more better off becoming a vegetarian because of all of the health benefits that come along with it. Who doesn't want to become healthier and cancer free. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee that you will never become sick or have a disease but you will have a lower risk of it all and that’s great news. Plants are all around better for us a vegetable are amazing. They now have these restaurants that are completely vegan and it’s so convenient to go and eat at these restaurants. They have food that tastes like you’re eating meat but the upside of it is that it’s so good for you and it’s actually all plant based. You won’t miss eating meat if you take this leap of a stance and become a vegetarian because you will still be able to eat it whenever you want and it will be much more healthy for you. If that does not sell you on becoming vegetarian than I don’t know what will.

Some people have a negative look on vegetarians because they don’t eat meat. We all have our reasons to becoming a vegetarian and if you have seen the horrific animal cruelty videos than I think you would feel the same way as must vegetarians. “Having emotional attachments with animals may form part of that reason, while many believe that all sentient creatures have a right to life and freedom.”

The list of benefits that are provided to vegetarians are outstanding. Just by cutting a small part of food out our diets the benefits just continue to grow for the positive side of things. The trick to becoming a healthy vegetarian is to chose a variety of foods that will bring healthy benefits into your life. Whole grains, vegetables, nuts or raw trail mix, dairy products and eggs; just to name a few. I cannot stress the health benefits of becoming a vegetarian anymore than I have. They are so good for you! Salad and veggies are so delicious you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you take the first leap of non meat eating. Some people that I have come into contact with have asked me how I do it. How did I give up meat? It was so easy. It’s all just a matter of having the mindset of being healthier. I don’t miss chicken or beef at all. Now the very thought of it is just revolting. You’re just putting something dead into your body and the very thought of that is just plain old odd.

Some people may not think they cut out for being a vegetarian but that’s not true. Anyone who puts their mind to it can be very successful at it. And once you start you’ll be able to not even want to eat meat anymore. It’s all about self discipline and knowing that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Don’t give up and keep persevering. It’s so worth it in the end. Other people may not want to be that “picky person” who does not eat meat. Let me tell you this is not further from the true. People should not feel like they’re stepping on others toes because they don’t eat meat. There are plenty of people in the world that have food restrictions and it’s okay to be “difficult” when you are out with friends.

Being a vegetarian not only helps your body for the better but it also saves all of the helpless animals in this world who are killed everyday. In an article I found, there was some important information that shows just how many animals are killed each year from eating them. “”Many vegetarians give up meat because of their concern for the animals.Ten billion animals are slaughtered for human consumption each year. And most farms keep the animals crammed into cages where they can barely move and fed a diet tainted with pesticides and antibiotics. These animals spend their entire lives in crates and small cages they can’t even turn around in.” This paints such a clear and vivid picture of the terrible things that these helpless animals are going though. It’s just awful to think about. Not to mention all of the toxic chemicals that are seeping inside of the animals while they are being slaughtered.

There are countless articles that show how good being a vegetarian is for you but still there are people that will eat meat. “Plant-based eating is recognized as not only nutritionally sufficient but also as a way to reduce the risk for many chronic illnesses. According to the American Dietetic Association, "appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." (http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian) Some may say it’s too difficult to get in the habit of but in reality it’s all a matter of self control and knowing that what you’re doing is going to make a difference in this world. Vegetarians save a number of 100 animals per year. That makes all the difference in the end.

Researching this topic has reminded me why I am a vegetarian and why it all matters. We need to take a stand in order to save these poor little animals. I could not imagine my life not being a vegetarian. Seeing all of the good it does to the body is so inspiring. It’s just an added bonus that we give more nutrients to our bodies and also save the helpless animals that roam our earth. It’s essential that we’re all aware of the other types of food groups out in our world and it’s important that we all take some time to reflect on what would be best for our own bodies. It’s not as hard as it sounds to become a vegetarian. It’s actually very important that we know that it’s possible. It will change the way you feel and it be an eye opener for the world to see its importance with understand that this lifestyle is good for you.

Work Cited

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/9-health-benefits-of-a-vegetarian-diet/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8749.php

http://vegetarian-nutrition.info/health-benefits-of-vegetarian-diets/

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/why-go-veg-learn-about-becoming-a-vegetarian/

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian