Vegetarianism - The Better Choice

Sent to you by Healthy Eating via Google Reader: by Kirti Mahajan

Today, there are more and more people switching their diet to vegetarianism. Is this a smart choice?  Many argue that a vegetarian diet does not allow one to get essential elements in their diet, such as protein and calcium.  However, if one pays close attention to making sure he or she is eating the right types of food, the person will definitely be getting enough of all the essential elements.

It is tough to argue that non-vegetarianism is the better choice.  In my experience, I’ve found that most non-vegetarians argue that if they don’t kill the animals, the world will be overpopulated. This is not a valid argument, for this world is full of resources and if humans stopped eating animals, other animals would eat animals and the overpopulation problem will work out itself.  In my opinion, this is not a reason to continue to eat meat.

Vegetarianism is certainly the healthier choice as well.  It has been proven that vegetarianism is a major alternative treatment of cancer. Other conditions that can be treated with vegetarianism include obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, allergies, asthma, environmental illness, hypertension, gout, gallstones, hemorrhoids, kidney stones , ulcers, colitis, premenstrual syndrome , anxiety, and depression.

It is amusing to me how the major pharmaceutical industries spend billions of dollars each year finding drugs that can help treat the illnesses listed above, yet the true cure to these problems is as simple as a change in diet.  According to the American Dietetic Association, the total direct medical costs in the US attributable to meat comsumption were estimated to be $30-60 billion a year.  What an outrageous amount to be wasting on a problem for which the solution is in our hands!  Especially with such a bad economy at this time, this money can easily be used for something else.

One should consider vegetarianism as a diet option.  Not only is it the healthier and cheaper choice, but it can save you from many illnesses all throughout your life.  I realize for someone eating meat their whole life this is not an easy change, but feed your body what it deserves and your body will reciprocate and keep you healthy.