The Far-Reaching Benefits of Vegetarianism

If you had to judge the merits of a vegetarian diet from the selection of meatless dishes available in most restaurants, you would likely come to the conclusion that vegetarians are primarily concerned with losing weight, don't care if they eat badly planned meals and have an inordinate love of cheese. But the truth is that most vegetarians are not in it for weight loss, they pay close attention to the balance of foods in their diet and some don't even eat cheese at all. The benefits of eating a vegetarian diet are in fact varied and far-reaching.


Eating a healthy vegetarian diet rich in vegetables, beans, fruit, whole grains and nuts has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Most vegetarians consume far less saturated fat than their meat-eating counterparts. While it is possible to eat an unhealthy vegetarian diet by consuming too much refined sugar, junk food and high-fat dairy products such as cheese and ice cream, a well planned diet that focuses on vegetables, whole grains and legumes is ideal.


One of the more common reasons people begin eating a vegetarian diet is to reduce animal suffering. One trip to a feedlot or slaughterhouse is enough to dispel any confusion about exactly where the meat on your plate comes from, and this knowledge turns many people away from eating meat. Often this change happens overnight, especially in children or teenagers who suddenly understand the connection between the cow at the farm and the roast on the table. However, it can be hard to jump straight into eating a balanced vegetarian diet by simply removing the meat from your plate without replacing it with some beans, lentils or tofu. If you decide to stop eating meat or animal products “cold turkey,” so to speak, it is wise to check out some vegetarian resources and learn how to plan a vegetarian or vegan diet.


Dried beans and lentils are cheap, so going vegetarian means you will probably notice a reduction in your grocery bill, but meat is as costly to our environment as it is to your bank balance. One pound of beef takes around 2500 gallons of water to produce, but one pound of wheat requires only 14 gallons of water. Raising meat in a factory-farming environment is heavily dependent on other resources, such as food crops and fossil fuels, not to mention the environmental impact of having fields and fields of one species of animal, reducing the habitat necessary for other wildlife to survive. Farming animals also creates a huge amount of waste, which can contaminate fields and water sources.


Increasing the number of vegetarian meals in your diet is an easy way to increase your health, reduce animal suffering and move one step closer to a greener lifestyle. You don't have to be religious about it if you don't want to, but every time you choose beans over beef you're helping to conserve water, fossil fuels and reducing your own risk of a heart attack. As Albert Einstein said, "Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."

http://www.dailymantra.com
http://www.myspace.com/thedailymantra