Animal Agriculture and the Environment

Web. 2014 “Why Go Veg?” Vegetariantimes.com. Cruz Bay Publishing. Inc. 2014. Web.

Granted that this statement is widely accepted because plant based foods are proven to have a smaller fat content than meat based foods, “vegetarianism is [not] ‘a vaccine against all health problems,’ warns Carol Coughlin, a registered dietitian at the American Dietetic Association” (“Vegetarianism” Issues and Controversies). In fact, the lack of meat in a diet arouses many health issues. For example, vitamin B12 deficiency leads to damaging of nerve endings. This deficiency surfaces in vegetarian diets because vitamin B12 is not present in plants; on the other hand, animals are a source of vitamin B12 because they can consume the microorganisms that produce vitamin B12 (Mangels). Another argument posed by vegetarians is that meat found in supermarkets are ridden with bacteria.

Ohio State University, 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2014. (ProCon.org). "Vegetarian ProCon.org

The last type of vegetarian is a lacto-ovo vegetarian. The lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. Finally, because vegetarian diets exclude animal flesh and restrict eggs and dairy, it can be difficult to ensu... ... middle of paper ... ...al D. Food for life: how the new four food groups can save your life. New York: Crown Trade Paperback, 1994. Hobbs, Suzanne Havala.

"Should People Become Vegetarian?." procon.org. N.p., 12 Mar. 2014. Web.

Alia Butler article from Livestrong.com believes poor diets deficient in the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need can take a negative toll on your overall health. Starting to eat vegan can easily overturn the consequences of an unhealthy diet. Brown University “defined a vegetarian as a person who does not eat meat, poultry, and fish. Vegetarians eat mainly fruit, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds, and nuts. Many vegetarians eat eggs and/or dairy products but avoid hidden animal products such as beef and chicken stocks, lard, and gelatin.” The Vegetarian society states that there are four different types of vegetarians; Lacto-ovo-vegeterian which only eats both dairy products and eggs, Lacto-vegetarians who only eats dairy products but not eggs, Ovo-vegetarians who only eats eggs but not dairy products and lastly vegans who do not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other animal product.

Anthropology Plus. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

The inevitable subsequent question is, can one really live a healthy lifestyle as a vegetarian? As the vegetarian diet is limited in certain nutrients and animal proteins, those who follow this practice must take precautions and place more emphasis on protein complementation and complex dietary planning. The idea is to not only eat a varied diet, but to be aware of one’s nutritional needs, only in tandem, can one maintain a healthy meat-free diet. At age 8, when I used to live with my grandparents, meat was served or packed for every meal; whether it be meatloaf, steak, ham, baked chicken, etcetera. Reminiscent of the stereotypical American 1950s, our family would gather around the kitchen table for our home cooked meals.

n.d. web. 25 Feb, 2014.

But by reducing your intake of meat, you are not only benefiting yourself, you are benefiting your environment! There are a variety of vegetarians. Vegans are “pure” vegetarian; they don’t eat anything that has been derived from animals (meat, poultry, fish, dairy, etc.). Some vegans don’t wear or use any materials that came from animals either. Lacto-ovo vegetarians don’t eat meat, poultry, or fish, but may eat eggs or dairy products.