“Why don’t you eat meat?” This is one of the most popular questions posed to avid vegetarians. The answer can range from—the myriad of health benefits that are associated with the veggie diet, environmental reasons, animal rights, or all of the above. It seems like almost everyone wants to become a vegetarian these days and with the many health benefits accompanied with the animal-friendly diet it is easy to see why. Here are some of the top benefits associated with adopting a vegetarian diet!
The Environment
Protecting where we live and prolonging the availability of our resources should be our top priority as human beings. The pollution that is caused by factory farming establishments is overwhelming. The percentage of animal waste that is produced to supply the meat can contribute to air, water, and land pollution. Adopting a vegetarian diet is an easy and effective way to do your part in helping sustain our limited resources by reducing pollution and preventing global warming.
The Animals
Prevention of animal cruelty that occurs at factory farming institutions is one of the most common reasons behind most vegetarians decision to adopt an animal-friendly diet. The close confined spaces the animals are subjected to and the cruelty involved in their life as well as death is enough to make most people upset and sentimental to the issue, but by boycotting the meat industry all together, that is taking action. An alternative for meat-eaters is to abstain from eating factory farmed beef and chicken and stick to free-range animal products.
Your Health
There is a myriad of health benefits that can be attributed to the vegetarian diet. Some immediate benefits are: lower levels of cholesterol, saturated fats, and animal protein. Keep in mind that having these lower levels are not for everyone, you should consult your doctor or a nutritionist prior to beginning a vegetarian diet. Some long term benefits that can be attributed to the vegetarian diet include: reduced risks of diabetes, certain types of cancer, heart disease, and obesity. Adopting a veggie diet or even choosing to cut out the amount of meat you consume can be excellent for your health.
It is clear that the benefits resulting from adopting a vegetarian diet are endless. The earth, the animals, and your overall health can all benefit from reducing the amount of meat you consume or eliminating meat all together. So, consult your doctor and give it a try and then you can answer the popular question—”why don’t you eat meat?”
